Lake Havasu Home Inspection

          When you purchase a home in Lake Havasu City, the standard purchase contract used by local Realtors gives the buyer a ten-day inspection period. Of course, the buyer has the option of waiving the inspection, or asking for a longer period. The seller may, or may not grant a longer inspection period. The cost of the home inspection is typically the buyer’s responsibility, even if the buyer cancels the offer.

Licensed Inspector

          You aren’t required to hire a licensed inspector, as you can do your own home inspection. Yet, if you wish to hire an inspector, use one licensed by the state of Arizona. To locate a licensed inspector, ask your Realtor or visit the Lake Havasu Association of Realtor’s website, and click on the “Affiliate” link. Another option is to check with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

Hiring the Inspector

          While your Realtor might arrange the inspection, such as letting the inspector in the property on the day of the inspection, it is the buyer’s responsibility to hire and pay for the inspection. An inspector will typically ask you to sign a contract. Before hiring the inspector, ask what he or she will be looking at, and if you have any special concerns, discuss them with the inspector. You may discover your concern is beyond the inspector’s expertise, and you need to hire a more specialized inspector.

Generic Inspector

         Home inspectors tend to be generic inspectors, in that they do a basic overall inspection, as opposed to an in-depth inspection. They look for potential problems, yet they do not guarantee the property’s condition. It is possible for an inspector to overlook a problem. There are specialized home inspectors, beyond the standard home inspector, such as inspectors that focus on the roof or mold. 

Inspector's Report

          An inspector will typically prepare a written report on their findings and recommendations. Some include photographs. A copy of the report is usually given to the seller’s agent, when the buyer makes repair requests.

Repair Requests

          The purpose of the inspection period is not to negotiate a lower price, or ask for cosmetic repairs. If you didn’t like the color of the house at the time you made the purchase offer, you should have asked the seller to change the color when you made the offer, not during the inspection period. Yet, if you discover there is a leaky pipe, missing shingles or tile, this is the time to ask the seller to make specific repairs.

Seller’s Response

          The seller does not have to make the requested repairs, yet if he doesn’t, you have the option of canceling the purchase contract, without losing your earnest deposit (under the standard purchase contract). If you don’t like what the inspection uncovered, and you no longer want the property, you can cancel the offer during this time, instead of asking the seller to make repairs.

Time Sensitive

          If you make your repair requests after the inspection period ends, you have forfeited your right to ask for repairs, or your right to cancel the purchase offer because you didn’t like what the inspection revealed.