Home Inspection For purchases & rental Homes in Austin, Dallas, & Houston - The Overview

In a real estate transaction, the option period is a key time for buyers to examine and evaluate the property they intend to acquire. The buyers get the chance to properly inspect the property and evaluate its condition during this time, which is normally a set number of days following the contract's execution.

When buyers are getting an inspector they are responsible for choosing the inspection. In order to mitigate liability, it is best practice to send your client at least 3 different inspectors and allow the buyer to make the decision if they don't have an inspector in mind.

Inspections costs can typically range $400 - $800 depending if there are any additional add-ons for things like septic tanks, pools, of wood destroying insect inspections.

The following are some crucial considerations for the option period and inspections:

Purpose of the Option Period:

The option period exists to protect buyers and provide them with an "out" from the contract if they discover issues with the property that they are unwilling to accept or negotiate repairs for. It allows buyers to assess the property's condition and determine if it meets their expectations and requirements.

Inspections during the Option Period:

Buyers are strongly encouraged to schedule and complete inspections as early as possible during the option period. This ensures there is ample time to review the inspection reports, address any concerns, and potentially negotiate repairs or adjustments with the seller.

Types of Inspections:

Common inspections conducted during the option period include general home inspections, termite inspections, foundation inspections, roof inspections, HVAC inspections, and more, depending on the specific needs of the property and the buyer's preferences.

Hiring Professional Inspectors:

It is essential to hire qualified and experienced home inspectors who can identify potential issues or defects that may not be readily apparent to an untrained eye. Here are a couple of well-known inspectors Texas:

TexInspec

O: 817-265-5452

Fees & Schedule Here: https://texinspec.com/packages

Super Team Services

O: 940-367-1708

Fees & Schedule Here: https://superteamservices.com/

BPG Dallas Inspections

O: 800-285-3001

Fees & Schedule Here: https://www.bpginspections.com/region/dallas

Chris Shack

O: 469-647-2806

Fees & Schedule Here: https://www.shackinspections.com/

Austin Property Inspections

O: 512.848.3523

Fees & Schedule Here: http://www.austinpropertyinspections.com/fees-services

The Austin Home Inspector, LLC

O: 512.788.1001

Fees & Schedule Here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13570771

Pillar to Post

O: 800.294.5591

Fees & Schedule Here: https://pillartopost.com/#getAnInspection

House Check

O: 1-844-942-4325

Fees & Schedule Here: https://housecheck.com/local/austin-tx/

Reviewing Inspection Reports:

Once the inspections are complete, buyers will receive detailed reports outlining the findings and condition of the property. These reports highlight any areas of concern, including structural, mechanical, electrical, or other potential issues. Buyers should review these reports carefully and consult with real estate agent like Alex Watson, Realtor to understand the implications of the findings.

Negotiating Repairs or Adjustments:

If the inspection reports reveal significant issues, buyers can request repairs, credits, or price adjustments from the seller. Negotiations typically occur during the option period, and it's important for buyers to work closely with a real estate agent like Alex Watson to communicate their concerns and negotiate favorable terms.

Exiting the Contract:

If buyers are unsatisfied with the inspection results and cannot reach a satisfactory resolution with the seller, they have the right to terminate the contract during the option period. This allows them to back out of the agreement and seek alternative options without incurring significant financial penalties.

It's crucial for buyers to be diligent and proactive during the option period, ensuring that inspections are conducted promptly and thoroughly. By utilizing this time effectively, buyers can make informed decisions about proceeding with the purchase or potentially withdrawing from the contract if necessary.

Looking for a Realtor in the Austin Metro, DFW Metroplex, or Houston Area? I would be happy to offer you with assistance. Let's work together so you can invest now because ownership is key.

Alex Watson, Realtor

Instagram: @watsoninvestrealtor

Email: watsoninvest@kw.com

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Home Maintenance reminders

As a homeowner, there are many tasks you must complete to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment. Two of the most important and often overlooked tasks are changing your air filters and checking your smoke detectors so be sure to make them a priority.

Changing Your Air Filters Your home's HVAC system relies on air filters to keep the air in your home clean and free of contaminants. These filters capture dust, dirt, and other particles that can cause respiratory problems or allergies if left unchecked. Over time, the filters will become clogged with dirt and debris, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing damage to your HVAC system. That's why it's essential to change your air filters regularly, ideally every 3-4 months or as recommended by the manufacturer. If you

By changing your air filters regularly, you'll enjoy several benefits. You'll breathe cleaner air, which can improve your overall health and wellbeing and you'll help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by reducing the strain on its components. Finally, you'll save money on energy bills since a clogged air filter can cause your system to work harder, increasing your energy usage.

Checking Your Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors are an essential safety feature in any home, providing early warning of a potential fire. Homeowners may forget to check their smoke detectors regularly, which can have serious consequences in the event of a fire. It's essential to check your smoke detectors at least twice a year, preferably at the start and end of daylight saving time.

Checking your smoke detectors

is such a simple task that should only takes a few minutes. Test each detector by pressing the "test" button and listen for the alarm. If the alarm doesn't sound, replace the batteries or the entire unit if necessary. You should also dust the detectors regularly to ensure that they are free of debris and functioning correctly. Making these two task a priority and continue completing them regularly to ensure you enjoy a safer, healthier, and more comfortable living environment.

If you have any HVAC issues that affect the heating and cooling abilities of your home then you may require additional repair services that need to be examined by a heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems professional. Here a couple of HVAC companies we recommend that have done good quality work over the years.

A#1 Air AC Repair Service

Ph: 972-325-7792

Serving Dallas- Fort Worth Metroplex

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

Ph: 512-361-5050

Serving Austin & Surrounding Metro Areas

Last Update: May 2023

4 Things That Can Lower Your Home’s Resell Value

Now that you own a house, people will be giving you all sorts of weird advice. You’re going to have to learn to tune it out, because generally, random people don’t know. Most people own two or three homes in their lives, which doesn’t give them a whole lot of experience with market values and making upgrades that will make a house really pop.

Realtors, general contractors and other home pros, on the other hand, make it their business to know what’s just in vogue and what’s a classic, evergreen sort of modification that will stand the test of time. These are the people to ask when you really need a second set of eyes.

But, before you even get that far, let’s count down some of the worst ideas for your new home.

#4 Really Personalizing the Place

Look, we know you’re eager to make your house your own. But step away from the lime green wallpaper and the orange tiles. Just for a minute. Think this through. Some buyers can see past over-personalization, others simply cannot. There’s a reason Realtors used to advise sellers to paint everything beige, it creates a blank pallet for a buyer to start from.

If you want to use quirky wallpaper, choose something that’s easy to remove when you go to sell. You may want to choose a tile that is mostly neutral and scatter those orange ones in just here and there like confetti. In short, tone it down a bit. However, feel free to paint to your heart’s desire — just plan to repaint before you put the house on the market.

When a buyer walks into your home, the first impression they have informs every other thought they have as they walk through. They’re simultaneously calculating two things in their heads: “How much can I afford to pay for this house?” and “How much will I have to pay to fix this place?” Each intolerable thing they encounter, like that orange tile, is another thing that goes in the repair budget. As it grows, the price they’re willing to pay shrinks.

Oh, you left the flamingo wallpaper in your bedroom? The repair budget’s getting pretty heavy. And these are just the immediately visible things, they haven’t yet gotten to the inspection period. The point here is: do you, but do it in a way that can be reversed before anyone shows the house.

#3. Converting the Garage to Anything Else

There’s a difference between using your garage as a gym and making it a gym permanently. When it’s a permanent gym, you can’t push some stuff out of the way and pull the car in real quick to get it out of the rain. In fact, you probably don’t even have a garage door anymore!

Many people have made this hasty decision, turning their garages into master suites, home gyms, playrooms and home offices, not considering the long term ramifications. Then, after dumping thousands of dollars into the project, they find out that it’s extremely difficult to resell their home.

No matter how professionally the conversion was done (and some are done very well), the buyer says to themselves, “Where am I going to stash my lawnmower?” Even if the yard’s a postage stamp, it’s a valid question.

Buyers come into a transaction with a certain set of expectations and, frankly, when they’re looking at houses in certain areas or certain prices that typically come with garages, it sort of breaks their brains to find one that doesn’t quite fit the model. That’s the beginning of the price chopping spiral. Eventually you’ll discount the house much more than you ever intended or just give up on selling and rent it out or not move at all.

#2. Tearing Down (Some) Walls

This one is actually not a hard and fast rule. There are sometimes walls that should come out. But don’t make this call without consulting with an architect or a general contractor because there are several things to consider, including the structural integrity and flow of the home.

The walls that you definitely should never tear out are the ones that reduce bathroom or bedroom number, unless you have something like five or more beds and three or more baths. At that point, you have a little wiggle room. As long as you maintain the American standard of a three bedroom, two bath home (or whatever is standard in your neighborhood), you’re probably ok.

However, turning a three bedroom home into a two bedroom home because you wanted to expand a bedroom is a value killer. If you think about it from a market perspective, it might make a bit more sense. A larger, or more mature, family is most likely to buy a three bedroom home. They’re going to have a bigger budget because there are two incomes, they need more partitioned spaces because there are possibly teenagers involved.

The same house with the same square footage, but with two bedrooms, is more likely to be shown to young families with small children, possibly only one income while one parent stays home to raise the toddlers, or even single people. Their budgets are smaller, which means that the two bedroom market simply doesn’t support the higher prices of the three bedroom market.

When your home is appraised, your appraiser will be pulling comparable homes based on things like neighborhood, square footage and numbers of bedrooms and baths. So, if the other two bedroom homes are selling for $30k less than three bedrooms, that means yours is going to appraise somewhere well below where you might expect, maybe even below what you paid for it.

Bottom line: Don’t knock out walls without professional consultations with your Realtor and an architect or general contractor at minimum so you can understand the full impact of this decision.

#1. Unprofessional DIY Repairs

There are two kinds of DIYers: those with significant trade experience and those without. If your main qualifications involve eighth grade shop class, you probably should not try to handle any big jobs on your own. Start small and work your way up, watch lots of YouTube videos, practice on test materials that don’t affect your home and for the sake of your house and your financial future, recognize and accept when you’re in over your head.

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Updated: May 2023