Downtown Boston real estate for sale
When you’re spending a large chunk of money on a downtown Boston real estate, it’s wise to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. That’s why a home inspection plays a lead role in the Boston real estate transaction.
If you’re in the process of buying a Boston condominium, here’s what you can expect to find on the home inspection report, and what to watch for.
What’s in a home inspection report?
Once you’ve found a Boston condo and presented an offer the seller has agreed to, a certified, licensed home inspector will should a look at the property, and generate a home inspection report about its condition and any issues that could affect its safety or value.
Your inspection report is going to be quite thorough, covering a wide range of systems and components in the home. If the home inspector uncovers issues, those’ll be explained in the report, likely with photos of the problem
Here’s what parts of the home, at minimum, you can expect to be evaluated by a home inspector, according to InterNACHI:
— Roof, including the material it’s made of, chimneys, gutters and skylights
— Basement, foundation and structure
— Attic and any crawlspaces, including insulation and ventilation
— Ventilation in bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room
— Electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems
— Interior, including doors, windows, landings and stairs
— Fireplaces
A home inspector may assess other areas beyond this list, so you might also see mention of the appliances in the kitchen, for instance. All of these details serve to inform you, the buyer, and can help you determine whether you’d like to proceed with the purchase, especially if major issues crop up.
How to negotiate real estate repairs
Once you receive the home inspection report, go over it in detail with your real estate agent. Don’t be afraid to ask the inspector about anything that needs clarification. If major problems reveal themselves, you can negotiate with the seller to make repairs before closing, even if you’re in a seller’s market and don’t necessarily have the upper hand. Your real estate agent can help you with negotiations and advise you on the best strategy.
I you uncover issues that concern you during the inspection, there are easy ways to resolve most issues such as negotiating a seller concession to the buyer, holding a portion of the proceeds in an escrow account to be used post-closing to rectify any problems and, if necessary, delaying the closing until the issues are resolved.”
A home may seem flawless on the surface, so it’s important to give the home inspection report its due and really understand all of the information in it. Knowing what you’re buying, and negotiating repairs if possible, can help you avoid costly surprises later on, and give you realistic expectations.
Nothing would be more devastating than spending a lot of your savings and committing to a mortgage only to encounter issue after issue once the keys are in your hands.
Downtown Boston real estate for sale
