Buyers | After Contract – Home Inspections

What & Why to Inspect

We strongly recommend that buyers satisfy any concerns relating to the physical condition of the property. Buyers have been urged to employ competent professionals to perform inspections of all conditions of the property.

Buyers are advised that the hiring of a professional is their own choice and not the broker or agent. Although buyers may be provided with past professional reports from the seller or previous buyers, buyers should hire their own professionals.

Prior to selecting and engaging a professional, buyers are strongly urged to investigate the particular criteria and qualifications that are important to you, including the name of any inspector that may be provided to you by your agent upon request.

This inquiry should include verifying whether the chosen professional holds all applicable licenses and/or certifications required by either the States of Kansas or Missouri

Recommended Inspections

  1. Overall Physical Inspection: This is a visual inspection. The inspector does not look behind walls or under carpets or take equipment apart. However, a professional certified inspector is trained to seek out certain conditions which may reveal aspects of the physical condition of the property not recognized by an untrained person. If the overall physical inspection reveals potential defects with the Property, it may be advisable to retain professionals specializing in the particular area of concern.
  1. Infestation and Wood Destroying Insect Inspection: This inspection may reveal evidence of active infestation, or evidence of past untreated infestation by wood destroying insects in the subject Property. Buyers should not rely on any other party to the transaction to inspect for the existence of wood destroying insects and are advised to hire a professional inspector that possesses the applicable State licenses and/or certifications.
  1. Roof Inspection: This inspection will reveal the present condition of the roof, potential past or current leaks and the approximate remaining life of the roof. While the physical inspection may include an inspection of the roof by a professional home inspector, it is recommended that the Buyer have the roof inspected by a roofing professional.
  1. Structural and/or Foundation Engineering Report: This inspection, by a qualified engineer, may reveal evidence of structural or foundational stress or movement of the subject Property. Engineers will report on signs of foundation distress, which may include cracks in the brick and/or the foundation, cracks in concrete, trim separation around doors and windows, interior cracks in the sheetrock walls and ceilings and doors that are difficult or impossible to close. Other signs can be sloping floors, wrinkles in vinyl or cracks in ceramic tile. Structural or foundational problems may lead to water intrusion into the Property as well as other structural or mechanical failures acceptable levels or possible health hazards of radon, microbial or other environmental pollutants.
  1. Radon, Microbials and Other Environmental Pollutants Inspection: This inspection will check for the presence of environmental pollutants to include but not limited to radon, molds, fungi, bacteria, and other environmental pollutants. This inspection may reveal unknown conditions. BUYERS acknowledge that: (i) radon gas has been identified as a health problem; (ii) mold, fungi, bacteria and other microbials commonly exist in residences and will exist in the Property as a result of rain, humidity and other moisture and BUYERS are informed, or have had the opportunity to become informed about radon, microbials and other environmental pollutants; and (iii) Broker and agents do not claim to possess any special expertise in the measurement or reduction of radon, microbial or other environmental pollutants, nor have they provided any advice to BUYERS as to acceptable levels or possible health hazards of radon, microbial or other environmental pollutants.
  1. Pool/Spa Inspection: If applicable, this inspection may reveal the condition of the pool, spa and related systems. Such inspection will state the current condition of these items but may not indicate the remaining useful life of such items and related systems.
  1. Soils/Geological/Structural Inspection: Licensed Geotechnical Engineers may be able to determine if the soil and terrain of the Property is susceptible to damage, expansion, contraction, settlement, slippage, subsidence or other conditions. Such inspection can determine if the subject Property may be constructed on filled or improperly compacted soil. This inspection by a licensed, qualified professional is strongly recommended to determine the structural integrity and safety of all improvements on the property. Buyer is advised that some lenders may require inspection by a structural engineer or other expert prior to funding a loan. There are abandoned and active oil and gas fields and toxic waste sites throughout the United States which may be located at or in the vicinity of the Property.
  1. Sewer/Septic Inspection: If applicable and if the Property is not on a city or similar sewer system, this inspection is strongly recommended to be ordered to reveal the condition of the septic system. Buyer is advised that Seller’s Disclosures and MLS information may contain errors regarding the type and condition of the Property’s sewer system and Buyer should verify such information furnished by a seller or the MLS.
  1. Water Well Inspection: If applicable, this inspection will verify the structural and mechanical integrity and soundness of the well, the source and the quality of water. The lender may require this inspection.
  1. Permits and Zoning: Whether permits, building code compliances, and/or zoning clearances were obtained for the construction of any improvements, alterations, modifications or remodeling of the subject Property is unknown to the agent and Broker. Whether such construction was performed by the present or previous owner(s) and whether performed by a licensed or unlicensed contractor is unknown to the agents or Brokers. The Buyer(s) is advised to investigate these matters. Permits, certificates of occupancy and building code violations may be obtained by a search of the public records at the Department of Building Safety (or similar entity of the applicable municipality) or from an inspection service company that provides such information for a fee. Broker and agent make no representations as to any permits or certificates of occupancy for the Property, regardless of whether provided by the Department of Building and Safety (or similar entity) or another source. Broker and agent are not qualified to interpret or explain permits, building codes, uses or certificates of occupancy. Buyer should consult with his or her own inspectors or other professional advisors and appropriate governmental authorities regarding permits, building code compliance and/or zoning clearances.
  1. Water Rights/Rural Water District Meter Rights and Transfers Issues: It is the Buyer’s responsibility to verify the water rights and rural water district meter rights available at the Property. If a rural water meter is assigned to the Sellers/Property, the BUYERS should verify their rights to have the meter/meter rights transferred to them.
  1. Square Footage, Lot Size and Boundary Lines: Buyer is aware that the square footage, lot size or boundary lines, represented on the multiple listing and/or advertisements are approximate figures. The Property has not been taped or surveyed for accurate square footage, lot size or boundary lines. The dimensions contained in the legal description of the property may not equal the actual area of the property, and the actual area has not been verified. To determine these issues, the Buyer is advised to employ a licensed civil engineer, appraiser and/or surveyor of Buyer’s choice prior to the removal of the contingency to the purchase contract for inspections of the Property, as after such date, the Buyer may be accepting the square footage, lot size and boundary lines that actually exist.

We strongly recommend that Buyers satisfy any concerns they have as to the physical condition of the Property. Buyers have been urged to employ competent professionals to perform inspections of all conditions of the Property. Buyers are advised that the choice and hiring of a professional is their own and not the Broker or Agent. Although Buyers may be provided with past professional reports from the Seller or previous buyers, Buyers should hire their own professionals. Reach out to your agent to get recommendations for local inspectors.

Below are links are to various associations and organizations that accredit home inspection professionals. These sites provide important information on selecting a qualified inspector and may allow you to search for professionals in your area and that meet your desired standards of practice.

 

Home Inspections

n American Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.ASHi.org/homeinspectors)

n National Association of Home Inspectors (http://www.nahi.org)

n National Society of Professional Engineers (http://www.nspe.org/index.html)

n Society of Professional Inspectors (http://www.sprei.org/ORG/welcome_frame.html)

n International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (http://www.NACHI.org)

n National Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.nshi.us/find_inspector.html)

 

Mold, Radon and Environmental Inspections

n National Association of Mold Remediators and Inspectors (http://www.namri.org)

n Kansas Radon Program (http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/contractors)

n National Environmental Health Association (http://www.neha.org/)

n National Radon Safety Board (http://www.nrsb.org/)

n American Association of Radon Scientists/Technologists (http://www.aarst.org/)

n Indoor Environmental Association (http://www.indoorea.com/)

 

Termite and Infestation Inspections

n National Pest Management Association (http://www.pestworld.org/For-Consumers/Find-a-Pro)

n Kansas Department of Agriculture (http://www.ksda.gov/pesticides_fertilizer/cid/1304)

n Missouri Department of Agriculture (http://www.kellysolutions.com/MO/Applicators/index.asp)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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