If you’re planning on selling your home, or purchasing a new one, the first thing you need to do is hire a home inspector to perform a home inspection. Sellers should get a home inspection to be prepared. Look here for articles, videos and blog posts with more information about what you should expect out of a home inspection.
Buying a Flipped House: Nightmare
Buying a flipped house: nightmare. This homebuyer discovered a host of expensive repairs right after moving into their new home. Buying a Flipped House: Nightmare Q: My question relates to buying a house that was flipped. I searched Ilyce’s website and only found articles for those who were flipping houses, not for buying what turns [...]
What Happens When a Seller Lies on a Disclosure?
What happens when a seller lies on a disclosure? This home buyer discovered damage they believe the sellers’ purposely failed to disclose. Q: When Do You Have Enough Evidence to Pursue a Seller Disclosure Case? We purchased a "remodeled" home early last year. We have recently discovered after doing some deep property cleaning that the [...]
How Do You Protect Yourself When Selling a House?
How do you protect yourself when selling a house? This home seller thinks a buyer might be taking advantage of them after a home inspection. Q: I would appreciate your advice on how a seller can protect themselves from being taken advantage of by a buyer. When I put my house up for sale, a [...]
I Bought a House With Problems Not Disclosed, Now What?
I bought a house with problems not disclosed, now what? This new homeowner found out about a major insurance claim for tornado damage after closing. Q: My husband and I bought a home two years ago and we had a multitude of problems. First, the real estate agent forgot to offer us a walk-thru until [...]
What Does a Home Inspector Do?
What does a home inspector do? This home seller thinks the requests a buyer made after the home inspection are unreasonable. Q: I enjoyed your column today in the Sunday Chicago Tribune. In your experience, have you come across buyers trying to use their home inspector to assert that there are many problems with a [...]
Seller Didn’t Disclose Water Damage, Now What?
Seller didn’t disclose water damage, now what? These homeowners moved in and found themselves with flooded basements from cracks, leaks and clogged drains. From time to time, we get a series of questions on the same topic. This week, everyone seems to have water on the brain. Literally. We’re running some of the questions and [...]
Is an Inspection Required When a Home is Gifted to You by a Relative?
Is an inspection required when a home is gifted to you by a relative? This reader wants to know if she should get an inspection on the home that was gifted to her by a relative. Here’s what I suggest. Q: If a home is gifted to an adult child, does it need to be [...]
At Closing, Include Another Home Inspection
When you buy a home you and a home inspector should do a final walkthrough before closing. While you may have had another home inspection along the way, the preclosing home inspection is important because by that point the sellers should have moved out of the home. You'll look for different things depending on whether you're buying new construction or an existing home.
Home Warranty Unenforceable When Builder Disappears
A home buyer says he recently bought a home and the builder has not followed through on a home inspection or repair requests. The buyer is experiencing buyer's remorse because of the builder's bad behavior. The builder may be going under due to the economic climate and unable to provide the warranty that was in the contracts.
Home Repair Damages Sale
A home buyer asks about completing a home sale contract after discovering floor damage from an in floor heating system that was removed. Ilyce says it's great that the home buyer has a good home inspector and that completing the home sale contract depends on how badly the buyer wants the home, even with the home repairs. Learn how a home repair can delay a home sale.