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Virginia Inspection Service, LLC
Toll Free: (866) 918-8247 Local: (540) 898-0593 Mobile: (540) 847-2017 Fax: (540) 898-0594
HOME INSPECTIONS 7-DAYS A WEEK
Greater Fredericksburg Area Chapter of ASHI
The foreclosure market is very active this year. There are a lot good deals on the market IF you're willing to take the risk. Foreclosure sales are generally "SOLD AS IS" transactions. The mortgage holders aren't willing to bargain on price or repairs.
Unfortunately, some Realtors don't see the need for a home inspection on a foreclosure. They either never mention an inspection or they may say something like, "You don't need one; you'd just be wasting your money; it won't do you any good since its an "AS IS" sale." On the other hand, many realtors take the opposite approach and advise you not to buy "a pig in a poke".
Our experience with foreclosures is this: If the owners couldn't make the payments, then it is unlikely they could do the required maintenance either. Whether the house is a $700K MacMansion or a $100K 50-year old bungalow, there will be problems and deficiencies. A lot of the foreclosures we have inspected this winter were owned by big-time Do-It-Selfers who, either because of money or perhaps they weren't as handy as they thought they were, created real messes in the houses. All, except one, had numerous severe problems with the electrical and plumbing systems not to mention basic construction techniques. The DYI problems were on top of the normal things a good inspector finds in a house like poor orginial construction practices, lack of proper code inspection, poor or no mainentance, water/moisture, and drainage.
Our clients typically wanted to know what they were getting into. Are there any problems that would make the house unlivable if they moved in? Is there a chance the heat pump would last a few more years? Will it need a new roof soon? Is it basically safe to occupy? One client was intending to gut the house and completely remodel it anyway, it was that good a deal.
The Bottom Line - A few dollars spent now could save you a really big headache and thousands of unexpected dollars later. You should, really should, have a professional home inspection.
Virginia Inspection Service performs a thorough inspection of the property, rates the findings, and separates the major issues from the normal fixup things. While we cannot guarantee things like a heat pump won't die a month from now, or the roof won't develop a leak, we will give you a detailed "snap shot" of condition of the house and systems at the time of the inspection so you'll have a very good idea of what you will be getting for your money.
Give us a call today!
Unfortunately, some Realtors don't see the need for a home inspection on a foreclosure. They either never mention an inspection or they may say something like, "You don't need one; you'd just be wasting your money; it won't do you any good since its an "AS IS" sale." On the other hand, many realtors take the opposite approach and advise you not to buy "a pig in a poke".
Our experience with foreclosures is this: If the owners couldn't make the payments, then it is unlikely they could do the required maintenance either. Whether the house is a $700K MacMansion or a $100K 50-year old bungalow, there will be problems and deficiencies. A lot of the foreclosures we have inspected this winter were owned by big-time Do-It-Selfers who, either because of money or perhaps they weren't as handy as they thought they were, created real messes in the houses. All, except one, had numerous severe problems with the electrical and plumbing systems not to mention basic construction techniques. The DYI problems were on top of the normal things a good inspector finds in a house like poor orginial construction practices, lack of proper code inspection, poor or no mainentance, water/moisture, and drainage.
Our clients typically wanted to know what they were getting into. Are there any problems that would make the house unlivable if they moved in? Is there a chance the heat pump would last a few more years? Will it need a new roof soon? Is it basically safe to occupy? One client was intending to gut the house and completely remodel it anyway, it was that good a deal.
The Bottom Line - A few dollars spent now could save you a really big headache and thousands of unexpected dollars later. You should, really should, have a professional home inspection.
Virginia Inspection Service performs a thorough inspection of the property, rates the findings, and separates the major issues from the normal fixup things. While we cannot guarantee things like a heat pump won't die a month from now, or the roof won't develop a leak, we will give you a detailed "snap shot" of condition of the house and systems at the time of the inspection so you'll have a very good idea of what you will be getting for your money.
Give us a call today!