Rob Vanovermeire - YOUR GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME

of small items was too large and it scared them off. Like I said earlier "be realistic and smart". More often than not these small items are an easy fix with a good contractor (no you don't need to be a handy person and do it yourself, leave it to a licensed contractor). I've often heard buyer say "I'm not handy" so I better find a different home. Don't let a good home slip away for fear of minor repairs that a contractor can fix with ease. One strategy I've used many times is to bring in a contractor and get a written quote on the cost of the repairs. I've sent that quote to the seller's agent and made the attempt to negotiate a lower price. You won't win every time but at least you tried, and you now know the cost of repairs. After the inspection, you’ll receive a full report with photos and evidence of deficiencies. The report will contain suggestions on future maintenance or repair steps that maybe needed, some may require an expert opinion — Here are some examples where experts should be called: Structural engineer- should the inspection uncover larger than normal cracks in the foundation, a plumber if there seems to be signs of any plumbing issues, or a mold testing company if you have any reason to believe there is mold. If you're planning to renovate an older home its possible there maybe asbestos. Asbestos or vermiculite in the attic is 100% safe if you don't renovate, but if you plan on a reno you'll want to do an asbestos test. Asbestos removal is about 15,000 to 20,000 on average. INSPECTIONS, INSPECTORS, CONDO DOCUMENTS, AND COMMON MISTAKES There are good inspectors and not so good inspectors. I always tell my clients it's not just me you are hiring it's my handpicked service providers as well. If you are working with an agent, they should have a good team of service providers they recommend. I remember when I met my inspector many years ago, he told me he works for the buyer not for me. He made it clear it would

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