Your plan to buy a home or invest in real estate is superb. Yes, it would help if you had an agency to help you navigate the process. Starting with the buyers’ agency agreement and the various agreement types we have, you are in good hands. You will also learn the contents of a typical buyer’s agency agreement, the contents, and how to get out of one. Let us consider some of the essential things you should expect from this article without much ado.

What is a Buyer’s Agency Agreement?

Firstly, another name for the buyers agencies agreement is the buyers’ broker agreement or a buyers’ representation agreement. The buyer’s agency agreement is a legal contract in real estate that is drawn between a buyer’s agent and a potential home buyer. When the two parties come together to sign an agreement, it becomes a protective document to ensure safety in the occurrence of any breach of terms and conditions. 

As a result of the document, the prospective home buyer is confident that the agent has his best interest at heart. They want to be sure that the agent is committed to them and can be held responsible if things don’t work out as expected. On the other hand, the agent also expects the potential home buyer to cooperate with them and keep the necessary values and expectations. The agent also wants to ensure they are not wasting their time and effort. 

If there is the slightest chance that the potential home buyer may leave this agency and work with another agency, then it is strongly advised to sign a buyer’s agency agreement. The buyer’s agency agreement is the document that provides the required legal backing that provides compensation to the other party who may feel cheated. It compensates for the time, effort, and expenses they may incur in a failed deal if the buyer ends up with another agency.

Types of Buyers Agency Agreements

There are multiple types of buyer agency agreements for different kinds of expectations the two parties hold. However, some aspects of the agreement are sure to be present if it is valid and fulfills its purpose. For instance, the buyers’ agency agreement must contain all the terms and conditions of the deal, the duration, the expiration date, and a fair housing statement. Others include a blockbusting statement and signature lines for both parties. 

Let us carefully consider some of the different types of buyers agency agreement that is available out there;

1. An Exclusive Right to Sell

The first buyer agency agreement we will consider is the exclusive right-to-sell agreement or the lease listing agreement. This is the most typical type of agency agreement that grants the buyer’s agent an exclusive right to represent the seller at all times. 

By implication, the buyer cannot go on to hire another agent while they are under contract with this agent or agency with whom they sign this agreement. In addition, the exclusive right to sell also ensures that the broker gets compensation on deal completion. It may also occur on the expiration of the duration of the agreement.

2. Exclusive Agency Agreement

Let us now look at the second buyers’ agency agreement: the exclusive agency agreement, which is similar to the first one above. However, the difference between the two types of contracts is how they compensate the broker at the deal ends. The genuine estate broker has to produce a tenant or buyer in this exclusive agency agreement. Otherwise, if the seller finds another way to sell the property on his own, the broker forfeits his compensation. 

3. Exclusive Buyers Agency Agreement

Another type of buyer agency agreement is the exclusive buyers’ agency agreement. In this type of agreement, the broker gets the exclusive right to represent the buyer at all times. When the property sells, the broker receives compensation. Otherwise, the property ends up as an exemption. In this agreement, both parties must agree on who gets what at the end of a deal. At other times, the broker may obtain a payment that differs from the broker’s representation of the buyer.

What are the elements of a buyers Agency Agreement?

As we saw up there, the buyers’ agency agreement can vary from one type to another. But it must clearly state the expectations and needs of both parties, the buyers’ agent and the buyer. The agreement is usually very flexible too, and the parties can adjust them to suit the specific needs on the ground. Despite this tailored suitability and flexibility, some basic information and terms must be present within the agreement. 

1. Term length

The term length is the duration of the agreement or contract, which most buyers agencies set at 90 days. It may often be less; other times, it may be more. But if both parties agree to a certain period, they can freely set the term length to that. The term length is the part of the buyer agency agreement that states in specific terms when the contract begins when it ends, and what happens when it ends. 

2. Termination rights

It is also essential to state how to stop the contract before it reaches its term length in a buyer’s agency agreement. There must be grounds for contract termination if anything goes wrong during implementation. This termination clause must show how the broker gets the compensation when the buyer terminates the contract. It should also include the time that will serve as notice before the termination occurs. 

3. Compensation

Another vital part of a buyer’s agency agreement is the responsibility of the selling party. There must be a straightforward way for the seller to get the payment and the buyer’s agent also gets his commission. Otherwise, the contract will not be complete. However, the compensation part requires carefulness, understanding, and clarity. In some cases, after the contract ends, the seller may refuse to pay, or it is the buyer that breaches the contract. This agreement should take care of all these things. 

4. Buyer Exclusivity and representation

This part of the buyer’s agency agreement is a clause that commits the buyer to work with the broker and him alone. This obligation takes effect from when both parties sign the contract to finalizing and closing the deal.

5. Agent Duties

What is a buyer’s agency agreement without stating the agent’s duties? So, it is crucial to clarify the responsibilities of the buyers’ agent, including finding and showing potential homes and writing and negotiating offers. 

6. Property Description

The last important part of a buyer’s agency agreement is the property description, a section that states the type of property the buyer wants. Other vital information in this section includes the neighborhood, price range, property type, and size. 

Conclusion

Finally, the buyers’ agency agreement allows flexibility and negotiation terms to which both parties can agree if they are comfortable. The buyer may at any time choose to waive some of the broker’s duties or add some expectations to the agreement. For example, the buyer may decide to waive the broker’s flat fee listing or limited service agreement from the agreement. In such cases, the buyer must complete the waiver of obligations specified within the broker’s duties being waived. 

The good news is that you don’t need to be a skilled negotiator to get a fantastic bargain on your next investment property.

You only need to pick up a few tips from the professionals. How then do buyer’s representatives bargain over a deal?

According to Cate Bakos, the company’s creator, it begins with having a thorough grasp of what the vendor genuinely wants. While some brisbane buyers agent are just concerned with pricing, most of the time they have other needs or goals. It’s always a smart move to use them to structure your offer. This is often only done via the brisbane buyers agent, so you need to have a strong, trustworthy relationship with them, advises Bakos. Click here to get more if you’re buying a home in Brisbane.

Additionally, you need to comprehend the vendor’s intended mode of sale. In cases like these, pre-auction bids are useless and just serve to weaken the negotiator before the big day, according to Bakos, who notes that some suppliers want an auction.

According to Miriam Sandkuhler, the creator of buyer’s agency Property Maven, having a strong understanding of the market is also crucial. “You must have in-depth knowledge of the region in which you want to purchase. Choose at least five recent sales of homes that are similar. This gets rid of certain oddities, such an exceptionally high selling price brought on by an emotional buyer, said Sandkuhler.

How to: bargain like a pro.

Here are some secret hints from the professionals to give you an advantage throughout the negotiation process.

1. Research similar sales

According to Bakos, when you do your study, it demonstrates your seriousness and increases your chances of getting additional information from the Brisbane buyers agency.

You should be able to openly discuss which recent prior sales are trustworthy, similar sales with the Brisbane buyers agent if you visit them with comparable sales in hand, a legally examined contract, and knowledge of local demand for this specific sort of property. When the buyer is informed, Brisbane buyers agents tend to speak more candidly about their honest view, according to the expert.

2. Build rapport with the Brisbane buyers agent

While it’s true that the Brisbane buyers agency represents the vendor, don’t undervalue the influence that showing real consideration for them might have. You could possibly get vital details about the vendor’s circumstances and expectations by treating the Brisbane buyers agent well.

They could explain to you, for instance, what the vendors value in terms of the transaction’s speed, the manner in which you communicate with them, the terms they want, and any further measures you can do to make the transition easier for them.

Price ought to be the final topic of conversation, says Bakos.

3. Before negotiating, determine the Brisbane buyers agent’s ground rules.

You must also be aware of the Brisbane buyers agent approach to accepting and rejecting proposals in order to better defend your position.

Ascertain if they will contact the seller right away, accept the offer, or enable a counter-offer. Before selling it, will they make further calls to buyers? And if so, how will they handle rival buyers?

In order to avoid showing your cards, being rejected outright, or worse still, being gazumped or pitted against other purchasers, Bakos advises making sure the transaction will be conducted properly.

4. Determine some possible flaws

According to Sandkuhler, you should always have two potential talking subjects ready. You may use it to demonstrate to the realtor that even if you are interested in the home, you are aware of problems with it that need a price reduction.

5. Recognize the vendor’s stance.

Identify the vendor’s driving factors for selling. Are they required to sell and are they time-limited?

According to Sandkuhler, your understanding of what to give them will grow as you learn more about their drive.

“Occasionally, knocking a few thousand dollars off the bargain by proposing a shorter settlement timeframe. Deals could also be sealed by making a deposit on the spot. For this reason, you must gather as much information as possible in order to give the finest offer possible, she explains.

6. Be certain that your offer is clear.

Sometimes the best course of action is to be brief and leave things alone. According to Bakos, following up too quickly, asking how the bid is progressing, and inquiring about the next stages gives the Brisbane buyers agency the impression that you have further funds to spare.

“Unless it really is, don’t declare the offer is your best or last. If you have advised the Brisbane buyers agency that it is your final offer, they cannot be held responsible for selling the property at a greater price to a rival bidder, according to Bakos.

7. Inform the Brisbane buyers agent about your backup plan.

By this point, you need to have established some level of rapport and trust. In addition, you ought to be aware of your values, actively seeking a home to purchase, and prepared to explore a Plan B property in the event that the first one doesn’t work out.

The Brisbane buyers agent will feel obligated to keep things going for you if they are aware that you aren’t fully emotional and are driven enough to stroll to the next one.

No agency wants to lose their top client, according to Bakos. There is nothing worse than informing a seller that a bidder who made a decent offer has already left the market.

Don’t be too greedy.

In the end, the agreement must benefit all parties. The contract may fall through without the Brisbane buyers agent’s backing.

Even if the transaction goes through without the vendor’s assistance, you will have to deal with a handover and settlement with someone who could have a bad opinion of you.

Don’t push the conversation so much that you wind up with a vendor that despises you, advises Bakos.

“At the moment of settlement, you could need to depend on their goodwill. Settlement deadlines may be missed due to a variety of factors, such as bank delays or misplaced checks, and the cost of avoiding an irate vendor’s penalty penalties might be thousands of dollars. not to mention a filthy home and an unmaintained yard.

Particularly when purchasing a property for the first time, there may be many questions that remain unanswered. It takes perseverance, devotion, and patience to purchase a property. Having a top-producing buyers agent working on your behalf is another crucial factor that is very useful when purchasing a property.

When selling their property, sellers should anticipate certain things from their brisbane buyers agency, and home buyers should have similar expectations. Prior to selecting a brisbane buyers agency to act as your buyers agent, it is crucial that you give the process thorough consideration and conduct thorough interviews with potential candidates.

There are top-producing buyers agents, middle-of-the-road buyers agents, and other buyers agents who fall short of their fellow real estate professionals, much as in other professions. When a buyer decides to deal with a top-producing buyers agent, they significantly outperform other prospective homebuyers. If you’re trying to buy a home in a hot sellers market, having a top-producing buyers agent working for you can really help.

Related: Tips to getting a good best buyers agent sydney

So, when buying a home, what should you anticipate from your Brisbane buyers agency? When purchasing a home, you should make sure that your buyers agent gives you the ten items listed below.

Transparency / Honesty

It’s crucial that you pick a buyers agent who is trustworthy and adheres to full disclosure when purchasing a home. A strict set of guidelines known as the code of ethics and standards of practice must be followed by all brisbane buyers agencies who hold licenses.

Although determining whether a buyers agent is being completely truthful or using full disclosure is not always simple, there are ways to feel reasonably confident that this is the case.

Initially, put your “gut feeling” first. You should decide not to work with a potential buyers agent if something about them doesn’t feel right to you. There are many buyers agents from which to choose, all of whom will make you feel good.

Asking for the contact information of some previous clients the agent has represented is a great way to learn whether a prospective buyers agent adheres to full disclosure. The agent should be able to give you contact information for at least a few of their previous clients.

When looking at homes, it’s crucial to have a second pair of eyes watch out for any potential warning signs. When viewing potential homes, an honest buyers agent ought to be the first to point out any potential red flags in a property.

Frequently Interacting

Lack of communication is among the most frequent causes for prospective home buyers to “fire” their buyers agent. Bottom line: You should anticipate frequent communication when you decide to buy a house. Within a few hours of receiving an email, text message, or phone call, a top-producing buyers agent should at the very least acknowledge receipt of the communication.

When purchasing a home in a hot sellers’ market, it is crucial that your brisbane buyers agency keep in close contact with you. They should notify you when a new listing that could be your ideal house becomes available, as well as if a house you were considering purchasing has received a lot of other showings or perhaps other purchase offers.

Every few days, if you’re actively and aggressively looking to buy a home, you should anticipate hearing from your buyers agent.

Utilization of modern and cutting-edge technologies

The real estate industry is no different from other industries in that it experiences daily technological change. Every day, new tools, software, and apps are being released for the real estate sector. When looking to purchase a home, it’s crucial to anticipate that your Brisbane buyers agency will be utilizing the most recent and “cutting-edge” technologies.

When buying a home, you should anticipate your Brisbane buyers agency to use one of the most well-liked technological advancements: some type of digital signature software. There are numerous organizations and programs that enable a Brisbane buyers agency to get the necessary signatures without having to meet with a buyer in person. This can save a Brisbane buyers agency, as well as you, a ton of time. This can speed up the transaction and prevent potential delays since most home buyers have very busy personal and work schedules. This can also eliminate a delay in getting signatures on a necessary document.

A mobile app that is connected to each agent’s individual MLS is another piece of technology that they ought to be using. This is very useful if you have inquiries about a particular property because the Brisbane buyers agency will have access to the information you need thanks to this app.

Good Business Relationships

Numerous specialists are frequently required throughout the home-buying process. You can anticipate working with a variety of professionals when buying a home, including mortgage consultants, home inspectors, structural engineers, and lawyers.

It’s crucial that you demand that your Brisbane buyers agency have a strong network of contacts they can recommend. Without a strong network of contacts in the business world, it’s possible that you won’t get the level of service you deserve.

For instance, a home inspection is strongly advised when purchasing a home, and getting a good home inspector’s recommendation is crucial. There are different levels of real estate professionals, and the same is true for home inspectors. Hiring a subpar inspector now could end up costing you a lot of money later on because of overlooked decencies.

Professionalism

Professionalism is something you should demand whether you’re buying a house, a car, or a television. It’s crucial that your buyers agent is an expert when purchasing a home. Brisbane buyers agencies despise it when customers waste their time, but customers should also expect a brisbane buyers agency to respect their time.

If your brisbane buyers agency promises to meet you at a property at 11:00 AM, you should anticipate that they will arrive at the location at that time or earlier. Continually arriving late for appointments demonstrates a lack of professionalism.

Being familiar with the local real estate market

Markets for real estate can differ significantly from town to town. It’s critical that you anticipate your brisbane buyers agency to be knowledgeable about the neighborhood real estate market where you intend to purchase a home.

Why is local real estate market knowledge important for your brisbane buyers agency? A buyers agent who has sold several homes in the neighborhood will be able to suggest a price that is likely to be more accurate than an agent who has never sold a home in the neighborhood when it comes time to decide how much to offer for a home.

Your home purchase may be made or broken by a best buyers agent sydney. When it comes to purchasing a home, your buyers agent sydney may be a valuable resource.

They’ll show you properties and propose fantastic buys as soon as they hit the market, as well as provide helpful tips and advice on the purchasing process. Despite this, almost a third of recent purchasers said they would not use the same buyers agent Sydney again. So, how do you know you’ve chosen the best individual for the job? The key is to understand how to evaluate suggestions in order to locate an agent that best meets your requirements.

Where do I look for a real estate best buyers agent sydney?

Here are steps to finding a best buyers agent sydney that is friendly, competent, and is looking out for your best interests as a house buyer:

Before looking for a buyers agent Sydney, speak with a lender.

Your first instinct may be to call a buyers agent Sydney right away so you can begin looking at homes.

However, you should first contact lenders to obtain an idea of the mortgage programs that are available in your region and to get prequalified for a mortgage. A mortgage pre-qualification, often known as a preapproval, determines how much property you can afford.

It’s anything but a conviction, be that as it may, since before you can close on a credit, loan specialists should survey your application by means of severe guaranteeing prerequisites. In any case, a preapproval provides you with a thought of the amount you might have the option to get in light of your pay, financial record, and current relationship of outstanding debt to take home pay (DTI). You can also search online to hire best buyers agent sydney that are recommended by property’s seo agencies.

You risk employing a specialist exclusively to take a gander at properties that a bank wouldn’t approve you to buy in the event that you don’t have one. In the event that you realize you’re taking a gander at houses acceptable for you all along, you’ll have a superior possibility seeing as one.

Request agent references from family, friends, and neighbors.

We’re so used to Googling any topic that comes to mind that it’s understandable if your first thought is to look for buyers agent Sydney online.

However, nothing beats a good old-fashioned word-of-mouth recommendation when it comes to finding the proper agent.

Your friends and relatives will tell you information about an agent that you won’t discover on their website, such as how attentive they were to emails and texts, how aggressive they were in suggesting properties, and their overall manner.

Because you’ll be working with your buyers agent Sydney intimately throughout the homebuying process, it’s critical that you trust them.

The people closest to you have a sense for the personalities with whom you’ll get along best, and they can tell you what it’s like to work with a certain agency. Your neighbors may also be helpful since the agent they employed is usually familiar with the region where you wish to purchase.

Ideally, your realtor should have extensive knowledge of local market trends as well as an eye for the sorts of houses that will best meet your wants and purchasing capacities.

Request referrals from your prior agent.

If you’ve previously bought a property but your previous realtor does not operate in the region where you wish to relocate, inquire about any connections they may have in the area.

Another agent may be able to point you in the direction of trustworthy real estate firms or may even know a local agent who would be ideal for you.

When it comes to the purchasing process, family references are fantastic, but a colleague agent may have a different perspective on what makes someone effective at their profession.

Getting their expert advice might help you see all of your possibilities from a different perspective.

Research possible buyers agent Sydney using internet reviews.

When you need to discover a buyers agent Sydney, a Google search will come in helpful.

After you’ve compiled your list of suggestions, go online and look up their names. Check to see if other homebuyers agree with your friends and relatives.

When looking at buyers agent Sydney evaluations, consider the following questions: 

• Does this agent have a lot of positive feedback?
• Do they have a reputation for closing deals?
• Do they provide emotional and logistical support?
• Do buyers claim to be fast to reply to questions?
• Do they usually work with people in your age group?

An realtor that deals with clients who have similar financial and lifestyle demands to you may be better able to predict your preferences and propose homes that may spark your interest.

Before choosing an agent, meet with them in person.

You should meet with many agents before choosing on one, just as you should apply for a mortgage with at least three lenders.

Even if a friend or family refers you to an agent they know personally, this is still true. It doesn’t imply an agent is the ideal person to represent you just because he or she is a buddy of your father’s.

Inquire about the sorts of properties they specialize in and the types of clientele they generally deal with while speaking with various agents.

You don’t want to sign up with an agent that mostly deals with luxury purchasers if you’re searching for a tiny starting house.

Because real estate brokers are paid on commission, they may be less attentive than you’d want due to their concentration on larger transactions. You want to work with someone who will fully support you.

Also inquire about their working approaches. Is it true that they are “always on”? Is it possible to contact them after hours with questions? What percentage of the time do they leave the office?

Consider your expectations for your buyers agent Sydney and ensure that their approach is compatible with your goals.

Home buyers are sometimes so anxious to start looking for a home that they rush into a connection with a buyers agent Sydney who isn’t a good match for their requirements.

Make sure your agent’s license is current.

To legally advise and represent you on a transaction, buyers agent Sydney must have current, valid licenses.

Check the National Association of Realtors (NAR) database to see whether an agent is licensed before you commit to a relationship.

If your state’s organization has a website, you may check for their credentials there, or you can phone the association and ask for assistance.

Hopefully, any agent you are referred to has a current and legitimate license. However, double-checking is simple and fast, and it might save you a lot of time and aggravation if something isn’t right.

Why is it so important to choose a competent buyers agent Sydney?

A smart buyers agent Sydney does more than simply assist you in locating your ideal house. They will also represent you during the purchasing process. They can assist you come up with a fair beginning offer and create a competitive offer in a competitive market.

A realtor can give perspective if you miss out on your ideal property or the inspection process uncovers huge red flags since they’ve seen so many transactions succeed — and fail.

Your buyers agent Sydney will also negotiate the purchase price and other specifics, such as who will undertake certain repairs and whether the seller would assist with closing fees (which can be up to 5 percent of your mortgage).

In a nutshell, you need the services of a reliable buyers agent Sydney. That’s why you should begin your search in person rather than online.

You should get buyers agent Sydney suggestions from individuals you already know, even if you began your property quest using virtual tours on Zillow and Trulia.

The more information you know on a buyers agent Sydney, the more educated you’ll be — and the more effective your home-buying experience will be.

Finally, some ideas

The thrill of purchasing a home may make you want to hire a buyers agent Sydney as soon as possible.

However, since this is such a significant connection, it’s worth taking the time to find out who is best suited to represent you and who you’ll want to work with during an exciting — but also stressful and emotional — process.

Your Purchase Price Offer

A formal contract is drafted in the same way as an offer letter. If an offer is accepted in certain jurisdictions, the document instantly becomes the purchase contract. While your real estate buyers agent Sydney will be adept at preparing the offer letter, make sure you understand the conditions of the deal before signing.

With your offer, you may be asked to contribute earnest money, often known as hand money. (It’s just enough of your down payment to show the lender that you’re serious.) This is pretty common. You will lose the hand money if the seller accepts your offer and you decide to back out.

Because the offer letter is frequently used as a contract, it will contain a long list of requirements and caveats that must be followed by both the buyers agent Sydney and the seller. Some of the things that will be included in your buyers agent Sydney offer are as follows:

• The amount of earnest money you’re putting down and the price you’re offering
• Home inspection stipulations: Because the inspection may take place after the offer is accepted, you must state that the whole transaction is contingent on receiving an acceptable inspection report. If a well and septic system are used instead of municipal water and sewer, these systems should be evaluated as well.
• Financial contingencies: You may also provide a contingency for getting the loan you seek (i.e., maximum interest rates, expected terms, etc.)
• The following items are included in the purchase: This list may include large appliances (usually the refrigerator), lighting fixtures, bushes, and just about anything else that isn’t held down, as well as those that are!
• Title contingencies: Your lawyer will perform a title search to make sure the property is free of legal claims (such as liens) and that the seller has clear title.
• Timeline: A response deadline specifies when the offer should be considered refused. Even if an offer reaches the asking price, the seller is not obligated to accept it in the majority of states. The seller isn’t even obligated to provide a reason why an offer was turned down. In most cases, though, you should get a response within a day or two. The vendor will advise you if your offer was too low. Then there’s the age-old art of negotiating.

How to Come to an Agreement on a Purchase Price

Unless you live in a hot market, a seller would seldom accept a first offer from a buyers agent Sydney at face value. Almost often, you may expect a counter-offer and at least one round of negotiations. The stumbling block might be purely economical, or you could want the porch swing, washer, and dryer included in the deal. Expect some haggling in any scenario.

During the bargaining phase, it’s vital that you and your buyers agent Sydney stick to the requirements of your mortgage pre-approval letter. It’s easy to fall in love with a house being sold by a buyers agent Sydney, especially if you’ve been looking for a long time or are under pressure to move out of your current home. Allow your emotions and heart to lead you away from potentially risky financial choices. You may suffer foreclosure, bankruptcy, or worse if you fall behind on your mortgage payments. You must walk away and wait for another opportunity if the merchant does not accept your best offer.

Your buyers agent Sydney and the seller will reach an agreement on a fair price for the home with some work and luck. The offer letter may serve as the contract, or you may be needed to write and sign a separate agreement, depending on the state’s real estate standards. You will make an earnest money deposit as soon as possible if you have not already done so. You may cancel the purchase even after signing the contract, but the deposit will be forfeited.

Following the completion of the purchase contract, both you and the seller are responsible for fulfilling the contract’s contingencies, starting with the home inspection. We’ll go over this in further detail on the following page.

Examination of the House

A qualified and thorough home inspection is critical as a buyers agent when acquiring a house. The inspection, which typically costs between $200 and $500, is your responsibility as the buyer. Do not, however, be put off by the cost. You might be buying the most costly lemon of your life if you don’t do your homework. Even in a brand-new house, hidden defects may exist that may only be detected by a trained inspection.

A certified inspector may be recommended by your real estate buyers agent Sydney. If not, look for an American Society of Home Inspectors member. An additional inspection will be necessary if you are seeking for an FHA or VA loan. (However, don’t depend just on that assessment; it may not be as thorough as a complete inspection.)

Your purchase offer should be contingent on the results of the professional examination. If the inspection shows a major termite infestation or foundation difficulties, you have the option of terminating the contract or having the seller correct the problem to your satisfaction.

The inspector will focus his attention on the following areas:

• Foundation: If there is a basement or crawl area, are there signs of water damage? Are there any cracks in the walls or on the floor that might indicate a structural problem?
• Construction: Is the house well-built? Is the flashing installed properly to protect the wood, is the wood deteriorating, and is the roof in good shape or will it need to be replaced soon?
• Plumbing: Was the plumbing installed correctly? Is it in good working order? Is there any evidence that there were any leaks?
• Heating and cooling systems: Is the machinery in good working order? Is it likely that they will need to be replaced in the near future? Are they rated for the space they’re supposed to heat?
• Electrical: Do you observe any electrical problems or code violations?
• Interior: Do the flooring seem to be exactly level? Are your windows and doors in good working order? Is everything in the kitchen in excellent functioning order? Is there any indication of leaks or mildew in the bathrooms?

The inspector will provide you a printed report that includes everything that was determined to be acceptable as well as the (hopefully) few issues that were not. If you need to update the purchase contract to add repair clauses, this report will come in handy. If the inspection report comes back clean, it’s time to get ready for the big day: closing.