Private
Home Inspections:
Structural inspections are particularly important.
During these examinations, an inspector comes to the property
to determine if there are any material physical defects and whether
expensive repairs and replacements are likely to be required in
the next few years. Such inspections for a single-family home
often require two or three hours, and buyers should attend. This
is an opportunity to examine the property’s mechanics and
structure, ask questions and learn far more about the property
than is possible with an informal wwalk-through.
We always recommend that a purchase contract be
contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection. You can find an
inspector through a friend, the Yellow Pages under “Building
Inspection” or “Home Inspection” or by recommendation
from your REALTOR®.
Municipality Inspections:
Some cities and townships in Southeast Michigan
require municipality inspections to be ordered and Certificates
of Approval/Review/Occupancy before properties can be transferred.
The costs and details of such inspections vary by municipality.
Sellers may require that a Buyer assume the repairs and obtain
Temporary Certificates of Approval prior to closing. Your agent
can tell you which cities and townships have these requirements,
and what they mean to you, as a buyer.
FHA/VA/Government Loan Inspections
When obtaining
a government-funded mortgage, an FHA or VA inspector also inspects
the property prior to the loan being approved. These inspectors
will determine what repairs, if any, must be completed prior to
closing. An FHA or VA inspection is never a substitute for a Private
Home Inspection, and your REALTOR® can guide you in the necessary
negotiations when you are obtaining a government loan.
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