08/29/2026
Buying a house? Here’s a tip: Don’t ever assume the listing is accurate.
I constantly find incorrect information in real estate listings, and often times the discrepancies are significant.
“New water heater” that’s almost 30 years old.
“New shingles”… from 2003
“Move in ready” with major structural damage.
“Oh we forgot to mention the house has been been on fire… oops.”
There are a lot of great agents who take accuracy seriously. There are also plenty who repeat what they’re told, make assumptions, or simply don’t verify it.
Here’s a little detail that YOU, the buyer, need to understand, that’s often not made clear:
Your own real estate contract tells you NOT to rely on the listing.
Quality. Condition. Age. Square footage. So on and so forth… the contract puts the responsibility on you to verify that information.
So if you find out after closing that something in the listing was wrong, “but the listing said…” may not get you very far. You signed a contract saying you wouldn’t rely on it.
They market it. You verify it.
Don’t buy the marketing. Do your due diligence.
Hire an experienced and reputable Home Inspector that will help you understand what you’re actually buying!
Actuate Inspections
Certified Master Inspector®