Sellers are required by the state of Delaware to disclose any defects or other issues with a home they are selling to a potential buyer. However, it may be a mistake to rely on those disclosures to help you decide to purchase residential real estate. A home inspection may provide you with information the seller either did not know about or did not disclose when it comes to the condition of the home you are considering purchasing.
A home inspection reviews the current condition of the plumbing, electrical and structural features of the home, along with the insulation, ventilation (and HVAC) and roof. The results may reveal the need for major repairs that you are not prepared to take on if you buy the home. Many of the defects found during home inspections are not obvious as you walk through the home.
You may want to make your offer on a home contingent upon the home inspection. If any defects are discovered, you could either negotiate repairs with the seller or back out of the purchase. More than likely, you will be responsible for paying the home inspector, but that upfront cost could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Numerous issues will more than likely need to be addressed, including the need for a home inspection. Depending on the outcome of that endeavor, you may have more decisions to make. Before entering into any contracts to purchase residential real estate, it may help to discuss what you will need to protect yourself with a Delaware real estate attorney.
Source: ahit.com, “Why Are Home Inspections Important?,” accessed on Aug. 27, 2017
