Home Inspection.
Should I Accept This Condition?

I've never met a seller who liked the idea of accepting an offer with a home inspection condition, or for that matter,any type of condition. But that's just the way of the world.

Some real estate conditions have become fairly standard, like financing and satisfactory house inspection. Offers on condos usually include a condition on the buyer receiving a satisfactory Status Certificate. And rural offers almost always have at least a condition on having a potable water supply. Buyers with an existing home to sell often insist on condition allowing them to sell their own property. But in a hot market, it's often not included in offers, especially in a bid competition.

There are numerous situations in which conditions will be included in agreements of purchase and sale, but these are the most common.

Before committing to a firm purchase, a buyer will usually want a house inspection performed by a qualified house inspector. After the home inspector has completed an exhaustive physical inspection of the house and grounds, usually consuming 2 to 3 hours, the buyer will receive a detailed home inspection report that will provide the buyer with information about the physical condition of the property and building. Click here to learn more about the home inspection. It's written from a buyer's perspective, but you'll learn what it's all about.

Real estate inspections are now the norm. So, as a seller, you may just as well accept it, providing, of course, all the other terms and conditions have been agreed upon.

If you refuse to accept a house inspection condition in the offer on your property, it could be construed by the buyer as a 'red flag'. They may wonder whether there's a serious mechanical, electrical or structural defect with your home. And they may just walk away from negotiations. You lose.

So, should you accept a house inspection condition?

Yes

If you refuse it, you'll likely lose the buyer. And if you accept it, you may still lose the sale due to major defects that the buyer failed to notice during the viewing. However, you just might win.

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