Inspections & Appraisals
Inspections and Appraisals
Most buyers will arrange for a licensed inspector to evaluate the property within the timeframe specified in the purchase agreement. In some cases, buyers may engage multiple specialists—such as roof, structural, or HVAC inspectors—to obtain expert opinions on specific components of the home.
If the offer is contingent upon financing, the lender will order a professional appraisal to determine the property’s value through an independent third party. This ensures the lending institution can confidently verify the accuracy of their investment. For commercial properties, buyers may also be required to commission an environmental audit or soil analysis at the lender’s request.
Title
A title company or attorney will be appointed to serve as the closing agent. Their role is to conduct a comprehensive review of the property’s recorded history and to ensure the title is clear and insurable. Upon completion of their research, they will certify that:
- Your title is free of encumbrances—such as liens, leases, mortgages, or restrictions—by the closing date.
- Any new encumbrances resulting from the transaction are properly recorded.
Contingencies.
A contingency is a condition that must be satisfied before a purchase agreement becomes fully binding. For example, buyers typically include an inspection contingency which allows them to proceed only upon receiving a satisfactory report from a qualified inspector.
During this due diligence period, buyers review every aspect of the property in accordance with the contract and any addendums. This may include:
- Securing financing and homeowner’s insurance
- Reviewing essential documents such as preliminary title reports and seller disclosures
- Conducting inspections, which may range from roof, pest, chimney, and boundary surveys to specialized evaluations such as mold, septic, pool/spa, arborist, lead-based paint, HVAC, or well systems
Depending on the results of these inspections, one of two outcomes typically follows:
- Each milestone is completed successfully and contingencies are removed, moving the transaction closer to closing; or
- The buyer, after reviewing the findings, requests a renegotiation—most commonly regarding price or repairs.
Navigating this process with clarity, fairness, and strategic insight is essential. This is where an experienced listing agent makes a profound difference. With deep transactional expertise and unwavering client advocacy, we guide you toward the most favorable outcome while maintaining an objective and professional approach.
Loan Approval & Appraisal
Whenever possible, we recommend accepting offers from buyers who provide a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or formal loan commitment—a far more reliable indicator of loan qualification than a preliminary pre-qualification.
Following acceptance, the lender’s appraiser will conduct a thorough evaluation of the property to confirm that the agreed-upon purchase price aligns with current market value.