Home Inspection Cost

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If you put your home on the market and it sells, I believe that you need to have a home inspection done before the sale can be finalized.

Does anyone know what the inspection costs or what other costs are involved when you sell a house?

[villagetinker]

I had a warranty inspection that was under $300, by Frank D'Angelo, he does an excellent job. He is an advertiser, and can let you know if the inspection would be different.

[NYGUY]

Homeseller's Checklist: Expenses to Expect When Selling Your Home | Nolo.com (http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/homeseller-checklist-expenses-when-selling-36253.html)

[dewilson58]

Aren't home inspections OPTIONAL and up to the buyer to do at the buyer's cost??

[theorem painter]

The way it usually works is that the purchase offer from the buyer includes the condition of a home inspection. It is paid for by the buyer.

[raynan]

I agree with theorem painter. Our buyer paid for it.

[NavyNJ]

Aren't home inspections OPTIONAL and up to the buyer to do at the buyer's cost??

In a word......Yes.

[Villager Joyce]

You should pick up a copy of a Standard FARBAR contract to sell real estate. The contract is very specific about who pays for what. Buyer pays for termite inspection, survey and home inspection, all optional. Seller pays for documentary stamp tax ($7 a thousand) And title insurance. Buyer pays for recording deed and costs associated with the mortgage, if applicable.

[DougB]

Aren't home inspections OPTIONAL and up to the buyer to do at the buyer's cost??

Optional if you are paying with cash, not optional if you are getting a mortgage.

[dewilson58]

Optional if you are paying with cash, not optional if you are getting a mortgage.

Wells Fargo did not require.

[DougB]

Wells Fargo did not require.

Interesting, thanks.

[JoMar]

When we listed our house the buyer wanted a home inspection. We made it clear that we didn't care what the inspection showed, we were not doing anything more to the house. They had it inspected, they sent us a list of things they wanted done, we said no, they bought the house. When they realized we meant what they said, they had a decision to make and they made the right one.

[DangeloInspections]

Aren't home inspections OPTIONAL and up to the buyer to do at the buyer's cost??

The above is true. Many times a purchase offer will state that the "deal" is contingent on a home inspection and financing, if needed.

Costs are many times determined by the type of home, square footage, and the type of inspection being done. Sometimes additional inspections are requested, like a termite inspection, (technically a WDO inspection), a wind mitigation inspection, a four point inspection for insurance (for older homes usually), tie down inspection for manufactured homes if required by the mortgage company, etc, etc.

Many times the Realtor will suggest a choice of a few Home Inspectors to use. This is fine, but one should know that the buyer has the option to hire any Home Inspector that THEY want.

Here is a short list of typical questions and answers;

FAQs on Inspection | American Society of Home Inspectors, ASHI (http://www.homeinspector.org/FAQs-on-Inspection)

Lastly, I just want to note that a "Buyer's" inspection is in many ways different than a "Warranty" inspection.

I know this is more info than what you asked for. I apologize if the post is too long.

Respectfully, Frank

[Fredman]

Aren't home inspections OPTIONAL and up to the buyer to do at the buyer's cost??

You are right

[queasy27]

As a seller, I always have an inspection done prior to putting the house on the market. This hopefully avoids any ugly surprises and can also be used to compare with the buyer's inspection.

When I sold here, the buyer's inspection showed severe foundation and roofing issues that frankly didn't exist. Excuse for them to back out, I suppose. The second buyer's inspection reporting nothing except a broken crank on the laundry room window. My own inspection showed minor issues like a faucet dripping and nonfunctional electrical outlet but not the window crank. ;)

I would trust Frank/DangeloInspections implicitly, but otherwise it can be a jungle out there.

The fees have been around $250 as I recall, but it varies by size and type of residence. Mine were small one- or two-bedroom houses and condos.

[BobandMary]

Less than $500 for home, termite plus, and wind mitigation.