A home inspection provides a professional eye on the current safety, structure, construction and mechanical systems of the house. The buyer is not required to be present. However,if the inspector allows, taking notes and pictures as they do their job — without impairing their ability to do the job — are a valuable opportunity. Generally, after the inspection they will be available to answer questions about the report and any problems noted in the report. Objective, expert opinion about such an important asset is valuable. Take the time and opportunity to learn and ask maintenance questions, and to "get acquainted" with the new house you may own soon.

Understanding what a "home inspection" does is useful in the purchase (and selling) process. Home inspectors bring professional knowledge to the job of inspecting the structure, construction, systems and current state of a home. They do not weigh in the value or price of a property, but do provide an objective recommendation of status and recommended repairs. Things usually included in an inspection: Top-to-bottom structural state: roof, ceilings, walls, windows, floors and roof. Electrical system status and safety. Plumbing and waste disposal system conditions. Key mechanical systems, including water heaters, heating and A/C. Ventilation and insulation condition. Water — source, quality and (potentially) obvious plumbing issues. Pests — or the absence of. (Pest inspection may be a separate, required step in some communities.) Look for a home inspector with experience, qualifications and (ideally) time in the local market. While home inspections may or may not be required under specific market conditions, remember that skipping inspection means you own the house as-is once the deal has closed.

Home inspection is frequently required in the process of a home purchase; this short video explains the purpose of an "inspection clause" in a purchase offer. Under some market conditions, a buyer might include a clause that makes purchase conditional on, or influenced by, the results of a home inspection. This gives the buyer some latitude to exit from the deal, or to renegotiate, if the inspection reveals issues. An inspection clause might also stipulate responsibility, such as requiring the seller to address problems revealed by inspection before the purchase is completed. In other conditions, such as highly-competitive buying markets, a home-inspection clause might be left out entirely. Be clear on the risk that this introduces. The real estate professionals involved in the transaction will provide guidance on the decision.

As this video explains, cash committed to demonstrate sincere intent to go through with a detail is called "earnest money." Conditions and (sometimes) local customs may play a role, but an earnest money sum between 1% and 5% of the purchase price is typical. This is regarded as substantial enough to demonstrate good-faith intent. If agreement is reached through offer and counter-offer, the earnest money generally becomes part of the down payment or transaction closing costs. If agreement is not reached, earnest money is returned. If you back out of the offer/deal, you may forfeit the earnest money. Ask your real estate professional for guidance.

By providing a Loan Estimate, a lender is presumed to have collected the 6 pieces of information required for a loan application. A lender may not claim a change in circumstances if one of the 6 is received after a Loan Estimate is issued. Mortgage settlement charges may be changed from the estimate if other circumstances change. Causes might include: Property costs or closing costs affected by a natural disaster Title insurer goes out of business during underwriting Information on the borrower or the transaction that affects settlement is brought to light. If circumstances change settlement charges beyond the legally-defined tolerance limits, the lender may issue a revised Loan Estimate. a natural catastrophe impacts or harms the residential or commercial property closing expenses the title insurance provider supplying the price quote fails throughout underwriting brand-new info on you or the deal impacting settlement is found. If any of these occasions alter 3rd-party charges beyond the 10% tolerance limitation financial institutions might release a modified Loan Estimate. , if a lender concerns a Loan Estimate they are presumed to have actually gathered all 6 pieces of needed info.. They might not declare a modification in scenarios by getting among these pieces of info AFTER releasing a Loan Estimate.

The Loan Estimate form is generally "binding" — meaning lenders have careful guidelines about meeting the estimates. Revisions of a Loan Estimate are only permitted under defined changes of circumstances. These circumstances include: Extraordinary events that are beyond the control of the borrower or lender Changes or inaccuracies uncovered in the information used by the lender in preparing the Loan Estimate New information identified on the borrower or the transaction Other circumstances that might apply are: Interest rates were NOT locked, and applicable new rates change points or lender credits Settlement delay on new construction loans — typically a 60-day window Borrower requests loan term revisions Borrower waits more than 10 days after the Loan Estimate before deciding to proceed with the loan. If these circumstances affect borrower eligibility or the value of the loan security (such as the property), or increase settlement charges beyond legal tolerance limits, a revised Loan Estimate may be issued.