Practice Areas

Personal Injury

Family Law

Auto/Car Accidents

Estate Planning/Probate

Real Estate

Putnam Law Office
801 Commerce Dr.
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Tel: (563) 382-2984
Fax: (563) 382-8810
E-mail: info@putlaw.com Blog:http://blog.putlaw.com

Decorah, Iowa Attorney practicing in Iowa primarily in Personal Injury, Family Law, Auto/Car Accidents, Estate Planning/Probate, and Real Estate. Attorneys at Putnam Law Office are dedicated to serving their clients in Iowa, including the cities of Decorah, West Union, Waukon, Cresco, Elkader, New Hampton, Dubuque, Waterloo, Mason City, Waverly, Independence, Charles City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Osage, Davenport, Garner, Eldora, & Clinton, and the communities that make up Winneshiek, Fayette, Allamakee, Howard, Clayton, Chickasaw, Dubuque, Black Hawk, Cerro Gordo, Bremer, Buchanan, Floyd, Johnson, Linn, Mitchell, Scott, Hancock, Hardin, and Clinton counties.

Contact an Iowa Real Estate lawyer representing clients in Charles City, Iowa today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Home Inspection

A home inspection can relieve some of the stress of purchasing a house. Independent home inspectors can give a buyer a full assessment of the property he or she is considering purchasing. The inspector’s report provides a full and unbiased evaluation of the house’s condition and indicates whether the house needs any work or may need work in the future. Reviewing a home inspection report with a real estate attorney will provide a buyer with an advantage when negotiating the purchase.

Obviously, a buyer should inspect a house before making a decision. However, a professional inspection should be done to uncover less obvious defects. In many states, inspectors require a license. Appraisals required by lenders are mainly superficial, stating the property’s value compared to similar properties sold within mainly the past six months, and do take the condition of the home into consideration of the value. FHA and VA loans also require a third party appraisal, and will require that specific cosmetic and other obvious defect be repaired before completion of the sale. These repairs are considered as completed when assessing the value of the home by these government licensed inspectors. Appraisers do request or recommend additional inspections if they see problems that raise suspicion, such as potential structural defects or insect infiltration, such as termites. Termite inspections are mandatory for VA mortgages, and are extremely advisable on all others.

Home inspectors look at a number of things, including:
• Structural issues. These include the foundation, ceilings, walls, floors, and roof.
• Mechanical systems. These include the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, heating and air conditioning, water source and quality.
• Construction issues. These include ventilation, insulation, windows, and doors.

When inspectors discover problems, they may recommend a more thorough investigation. Buyers should also consider requesting inspection for health-related issues such as radon, lead, or asbestos. Many buyers prefer to attend the inspection, although this is not necessary. Many inspectors will answer questions about their findings and offer an objective opinion at the inspection.

Most often, home inspections are not done before completing an offer on a property, and the buyer should always include an inspection clause in the offer. This allows the buyer to back out of the purchase if an inspection reveals serious problems. It can also require the seller to adjust the sale price or repair problems before purchase. The cost of an inspection is generally less than $500. It is well worth the price to disclose problems with the property’s value and safety. A real estate attorney can help to guide you through the inspection process.

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DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at our firm web site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is recommended that you consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation, contact an Iowa Real Estate attorney, representing clients in Charles City, Iowa at the Putnam Law Office. Give us a call at (563) 382-2984 or email us at info@putlaw.com.