10/27/2019
Extremely important advice when buying a home...
Sellers property disclosure before the offer! 
Most buyers don’t realize that they should always receive an SPD aka sellers property disclosure prior to writing an offer on a home.
A sellers property disclosure Discloses many important details and issues they may have had with the home during their home ownership while they occupied the property. If they have not occupied the property in the last year they are not required to complete a sellers disclosure.
Most sellers disclosures will Help you learn about the properties history. Such as, the age of the home, furnace, roof, HVAC (heating & cooling) & Water heater. And if any of the home was involved in a class action lawsuit, type of plumbing, structural issues, insurance claims, any repairs that were made during their homeownership. There may be more or less on your sellers disclosure depending on your locale. But this is the basics! You should always receive a sellers disclosure prior to making an offer so you are making an educated offer based on the (whole story) detailed condition of the home. 😉
If you don’t, don’t be afraid to ask your agent or the seller. This is a must.
Keep in mind, you will normally still have a chance to do a home inspection to determine the current condition of the home Even if you’re buying the home in as is condition you should still be allowed to do your own inspection based on doing it for your own knowledge. Normally, you will have in writing, 5 to 15 days to complete the home inspection which is considered your "due diligence period". In the state of Georgia, if you have a due diligence period detailed in your contract. This period allows you to back out of the contract for any reason during your due diligence period only without losing your deposit or risking legal action. After you complete your home inspection you will submit your request for repairs to the seller. At that point anything is up for negotiation so we highly recommend you ask for as much as possible because it may be negotiated for less then you’re starting point. The seller may do the repairs or some of them or they may take it off the price.
Remember, every real estate transaction is unique and the route to closing is never the same!
Via: Sheila, Real Estate Inspections Office Manager
