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Buyer inspections.  City inspections.  Radon tests.  Moisture tests.  Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to be familiar with the inspections associated with the process so that you are well informed and comfortable with the transaction.

Some cities require a city inspection prior to the home being listed for sale.  You may hear them called different things, such as the “TISH Inspection,” or the “Truth in Housing Inspection.”  Cities that require this inspection include Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and more.  If a city inspection is required, our team will help you find an inspector and get the appointment set.  Sellers pay for this inspection and once completed you’ll receive a report to read through and share with buyers.  If the report includes required repairs, those items must be fixed prior to closing.  However, if you don’t end up selling your home, there’s no requirement that the repairs be completed.

Once a home has an accepted offer, the buyer will likely choose to have a buyer’s inspection.  This is an inspection where the buyer selects and hires an inspector to go through the home and examine such things as the mechanical systems, the electrical system, appliances and the exterior.  It’s a chance for the buyer to learn more about the inner workings of a home and to discover any obvious defects.  Should any issues be found during the inspection, the buyer may choose to re-negotiate with the seller to address those issues.

As part of the buyer’s inspection, the buyer may choose to have a radon test performed.  Radon is a radioactive gas that moves through the ground into homes.  A radon test is easy to perform – a small box that tests for radon is left in the home for a few days and then the results are read by the inspector.  If the levels of radon are deemed higher than what is safe, a radon mitigation system can be installed in the home to bring the levels back within the recommended limits.  For more information on radon visit: http://radonresources.com/resources/ .

If the home has evidence of water intrusion or has a history of water issues, the buyer may also decide a moisture test is in order.  During a moisture inspection an inspector is able to use tools to determine the level of moisture in a home’s floors, walls, exterior or wherever there is an area of concern.  This will help the buyer and seller determine whether there is active water intrusion occurring and whether repair to the home is necessitated.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you’re bound to run into an inspection or two in the process of buying or selling a home.  While these inspections are never a guarantee that a home is in perfect condition, they are a great way to learn more about a home and how all its systems are running.  The Barry Berg Group has a trusted team of inspectors to help you along in the process – from city inspectors to specialized moisture experts, we have the right referral to make the buying and selling process as easy as possible.  Contact us today to learn more!

(From the Desk of Becky Peterson)