Look Left, Look Right, Then Look Again.
Your contract to purchase a home contains a clause granting you a certain number of days for an inspection period. Did you think this meant your Home Inspection? That’s only one very small piece of the puzzle. The customary time period for inspections is 10 days and you should use every one of those days wisely.
Do not just schedule a home inspection then sit back and wait for it to happen. There are numerous other considerations that should be on your radar during this time:
- Check out the property’s insurance claim history. Believe it or not there’s a form for that. It’s called a CLUE report and it is crucial that you review it. The property’s insurance history could mean the difference between normal and outrageous insurance costs for you.
- Neighborhood traffic patterns – This will mean a lot to you during your daily commute. Where does traffic congregate and at what time?
- Surrounding Communities – You’ve chosen the neighborhood where you want to live, and you’ve been smart enough to take a walk around it during the day and in the evening. Now take a look around you in widening circles.
- Visit the local police station and ask for crime statistics.
- Visit schools, locate hospitals, check out parks.
- Is the proximity of a sex offender important to you? There are web sites for that.
- Is there an airport nearby? If so, what are the landing and take-off patterns?
- Is the property adjacent to a business that might have nighttime or early morning deliveries?
Any of these factors and so many more, might be a deal-breaker for you and any of them might be the reason you choose not to buy the home. Your inspection period allows you to inspect anything and everything before continuing with your purchase.
