Home inspectors help buyers evaluate the condition of the home based upon one or more visual inspections of the property. Most homes have at least a few items that will need to be repaired and/or replaced. A professional home inspector can assist in identifying these items by performing an inspection of the property. Requests for repairs are normally received more favorably by sellers when the need for the repairs has been documented in the report of a professional home inspector. Many home inspectors are members of professional associations that, among other things, require their members to perform a standardized inspection of the property. Buyers are encouraged to ask inspectors about their qualifications and expertise in inspecting homes before selecting an inspector.

Sellers are required to disclose known latent defects in a property. Latent defects are those that a buyer could not discover as the result of a reasonable inspection. Before completing the purchase, buyers should use reasonable diligence to investigate the property. In addition to a professional home inspection, buyers should also check for issues of personal concern. Examples include, but are not limited to, floor condition when covered by area rugs, water staining under plants, missing window screens, and any area made physically or visually inaccessible by the seller.

There are many other tests and studies buyers can do in deciding whether to purchase a property. These include, for example, a radon test to determine if the home has elevated levels of radon, mold tests to determine if the property has high levels of certain kinds of dangerous mold, well water tests when the property is served by well water and septic system inspections when the property is served by a septic system.

Homes should also be tested for lead-based paint. Normally, this is only an issue in homes built prior to 1978 (since after this time lead-based paint sales were prohibited). Ingestion of lead-based paint chips or particles can cause lead poisoning, a serious health condition, particularly in children. Buyers of older homes should read the EPA brochure entitled “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home”. Renovators of older homes should read the EPA’s Renovate Right brochure and other related materials.

Websites exist that identify certain (but not necessarily all) homes which have been used to manufacture methamphetamine and/or certain other illegal substances. Websites also exists to help identify if a registered sex offender resides in the neighborhood.

Repairs to a home can range from simple cosmetic fixes to repairs done as the result of substantial damage. Some repairs require, and some do not require, a permit from the governmental jurisdiction in which the property is located. Major systems replacement, certain renovations, and/or structural additions to the main dwelling require a permit in Georgia. Permits are issued to ensure public safety and are sometimes completed with the issuing of a certificate of occupancy (“CO”) or other documentation showing that the responsible governmental entity has inspected and approved the work. Specific information about permitting requirements for the property you are considering buying may be found online at https://dca.ga.gov.

Many factors can affect the value of a property and the ability of an owner to use and enjoy it. These include, for example, the school district in which the property is located, whether the property is subject to flooding, the availability and cost of property insurance, whether the property is subject to recorded covenants and the nature of those covenants, quality of repairs and renovations, permitting issuance, the governmental jurisdiction in which the property is located and whether the property is on an historic registry or in a special tax or zoning district.

Sellers are required to disclose known latent defects in a home; but as a buyer, before completing the purchase of a home, you are encouraged to use reasonable diligence to investigate the property you are buying for issues of special concern to you.

Information is provided by GAR and transformed to be provided for customers and clients only. If you are not the customer or clients, please disregard the information.