Rhode Island Real Estate Lawyer Blog
Most Rhode Island home buyers will require a home inspection as a contingency to close the sale after they have submitted an offer on a home. While a general home inspection is a good idea and should be included in any home purchase, a recently published article makes the argument that buyers should also have other specialized inspections performed to protect themselves from unforeseen maintenance expenses that could arise.
The specialized inspections that should be performed on a home before purchase depend on several factors, including the age of the home and maintenance history. A general home inspection may bring the possibility of issues to light that should be followed up on by an inspector with specialized expertise, but some latent defects in a home may be missed entirely without a specialized inspection from the start. Important inspections may include a roof inspection, an electrical inspection, a pest inspection, and a radon inspection, among others.
The roof is one of the most important structural components of your home, and a damaged or defective roof can cause serious and expensive damage in the event of heavy rain or snow. For a relatively low price, a licensed roofing contractor can inspect the roof and ceilings of a home to find problem areas that could signal leaks or rot. Inspectors can also use specialized equipment to see if heat is escaping from a roof and causing unnecessary utility expenses.
Although a home’s electrical system is extremely important and building codes require specific safety measures to be taken when wiring a home, many homeowners act as amateur electricians and modify their electrical system in dangerous ways, increasing the risk of fire or injury. A licensed electrician can perform an inspection to find exposed wiring, ungrounded outlets, improperly modified electrical panels, or other dangerous issues that could affect the value of the home.
A termite or other pest infestation is not only a disgusting issue to face, but can also affect the structural integrity of your home. A licensed pest control expert can look for the signs of an infestation that may not be otherwise visible, and help a buyer to know if there is an infestation before they go through on a home purchase.
Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that collects in the basements of some homes and contributes to tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. Elevated levels of radon can be addressed once detected, but without a specific test, it is impossible to know if your home is at risk. A radon test can usually be added onto a general home inspection for a small fee, and it is recommended that any buyer interested in a home with a basement have the test performed, as it is estimated that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has dangerously elevated levels of radon.
Buyers Should Employ a Comprehensive Regiment of Home Inspections Before Closing on a Sale
If you are purchasing a home in Rhode Island, the best way to protect yourself from unexpected maintenance issues and safety hazards after you move in is to be cautious and have multiple inspections performed on the home in addition to the general home inspection. After a transaction is completed at closing, the buyer has limited legal remedies to hold a seller accountable for issues that were not disclosed prior to the closing. In the event that a seller misrepresents the condition of the property, the Rhode Island real estate attorneys at Bilodeau Capalbo may still be able to help buyers with issues related to fraud or other breaches of contract by the seller, even if an inspection was performed. If you have questions about your case, schedule a no-obligation consultation with an attorney at Bilodeau Capalbo today by calling our offices at 401-300-4055.