A home inspection in Tampa by Beryl Project Engineering is always a good idea when buying or selling a home. We are often approached by buyers who ask, “Do I need a home inspection in Tampa if I’m buying the property as-is?” This is a good question and one we are pleased to answer. Those who choose to buy an existing home “as-is” without any repairs often are working without a realtor and wish to save as much money as possible.
Saving money is always a wise course of action but a home inspection in Tampa is not the place to skimp. Those who choose to purchase an existing home “as-is” need the expert evaluation of a Master Inspector from Beryl just like any other home buyer. Here are some reasons this is true.
A Home Inspection in Tampa Shows You What “As-Is” Really Is!
Anyone can walk through an existing home and take note of items that may need attention or repairs. Many things in an older home can be obvious, such as:
- Peeling or cracked paint
- Outdated windows
- Worn or missing weatherstripping
- Cracked flooring
- Worn carpet
- Stained ceilings
- Old appliances
What the casual observer cannot see is what may be lurking behind some of those surface issues. Cracks can mean a settling or damaged foundation. Stains can be from previous water damage that has not been adequately repaired. Most casual walk-throughs do not venture into the attic, basement crawlspace, roof, or other hard-to-reach areas. And most people are not trained and experienced to realize a sign of damage or problems when they see it.
Just because you are buying the house “as-is” doesn’t mean you want to enter into a purchase contract blindly. You need to know the true condition of the property before agreeing to purchase it. Even knowing you are buying a fixer-upper is no excuse for not having a home inspection in Tampa to reveal all the repairs you have ahead of you.
An Unbiased Home Inspection in Tampa Arms You with Information
Florida State Law requires a seller to disclose all known information about a property prior to closing a sale. This includes situations where the buyer agrees to purchase the property “as-is.” The courts have upheld this law numerous times. Two cases are presented as examples below:
- The Florida Supreme Court held in Johnson vs. Davis that “where the seller of a home knows of facts materially affecting the value of the property which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer, the seller is under a duty to disclose them to the buyer.”
- The First District Court of Appeal affirmed in Rayner vs. Wise Realty Co. of Tallahassee that this same disclosure requirement applies to residential properties that are being sold as-is.
This is important because you have absolutely no way of knowing that the seller is being truthful about the actual condition of the home without a home inspection in Tampa by a home inspection professional. You are trusting the word and integrity of the seller without a home inspection.
Beryl Project Engineering is not a construction company or realtor. We are not connected with or beholden to any realtor or construction company. We guarantee our home inspections are completely unbiased and meet or exceed the InterNACHI Standards of Practice for our industry. You can rely on our home inspection report to reflect an accurate and thorough evaluation of the condition of the property in question. This can be a valuable piece of information when negotiating a purchase agreement.
Beryl Project Engineering in Tampa
Beryl’s Licensed and Certified Inspectors offer valuable guidance that you need when purchasing a home. This is even more important when you choose to buy a home “as-is.” Contact us today for more information about our home inspections in Tampa and how to schedule yours before buying or selling a home.
