Home Inspections in Kitsap County WA – Advice for 1st Time Home Buyers
March 11th, 2011 by Rich JacobsonTop Tips for 1st-Time Home Buyers in Kitsap County WA – Tip No. 2
HAVE YOUR HOME INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR
One of the most satisfying aspects of being a licensed professional real estate broker here in Kitsap County WA is helping 1st-Time Buyers to achieve their dreams of homeownership.
In the beginning, I typically spend a good deal of time educating my First-Time Buyers on the entire home-buying process, from start-to-finish, just so they can fully understand what’s involved and eliminate any surprises.
A few years back, I wrote a fun, informative series of articles entitled “Adventures in 1st-time Home Buying.“
I always counsel my Buyer clients to have a Home Inspection prior to closing. Here in WA State, most contracts include a Home Inspection Contingency (NWMLS Form 35) which makes the purchase subject to conducting a thorough home inspection.
Here’s the Home Inspection process in a nutshell:
Normally, the Buyer has up to ten (10) days after mutual contract acceptance, to have the home inspected and to then petition the Sellers to remedy/repair any items/conditions they feel need to be corrected/resolved as a result. The Sellers usually have up to three (3) days to respond to the Buyers request. If the Home Inspector feels that additional inspections are warranted, the Buyer can request an extension to conduct further investigation, but at their own expense.
The Sellers have several options in responding to the Buyers requests: 1) They can agree to fix all of the items requested by the Buyer; 2) They can select which items they want to repair/resolve; 3) They can refuse to fix anything. The Buyers, in turn, have up to three (3) days to respond back. They can agree to the Sellers terms, counter with amended terms, or simply back out of the contract.
Having your home fully inspected by a licensed professional Home Inspector is one of the wisest investments you will make in the home-buying process. Here in Kitsap County WA, most home inspections cost an average of $300 to $500, depending on the size of the home. This usually includes a full pest inspection as well.
A thorough home inspection normally includes a visual inspection of all exterior/interior structural components, and functional inspection of all appliances, and mechanical, plumbing, electrical systems/components.
Make sure that when you have your home inspected that you contract with a professional State licensed Home Inspector. Even thought your Uncle Jimmy Joe Bob may have worked construction back in the day, or your sister’s cousin’s son Vinnie used to work at Home Depot, you owe to yourself to have someone who is knowledgeable, experienced, and qualified. This is one of the biggest purchase/investments you are likely to make. The relatively small amount of money you will spend on a home inspection is worth every cent.
Here in Kitsap County WA, I strongly recommend two local home inspectors:
Chuck Fair of Fair Home Inspections
Scott DeSchryver of Lighthouse Home Inspection LLC
Both Chuck and Scott focus on serving their clients and representing their best interests throughout the entire inspection process. Both are very thorough and provide a highly detailed inspection report when completed.
In the greater Seattle area, I highly recommend:
Charles Buell of Buell Home Inspections
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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate broker providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, ActiveRain, Everyday CK, HomesByHarbors, and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com
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Tags: 1st time home buyers, Bremerton WA Real Estate, First Time Home Buyers, home inspection, Kitsap County WA real estate, Poulsbo Real Estate, seabeck wa real estate, Silverdale WA Real Estate
