Purchasing a home is an exciting time. It is also a hectic time, with what can seem like a
mountain of paperwork to review and sign, in addition to packing, changing your address,
enrolling children in new schools, etc. Due to the excitement and unfamiliarity with the
documents, many people blindly sign the documents in front of them to get their hands on the
keys.
However, not reviewing your purchase inspection report can be a very risky thing to do. It is
important that you thoroughly review the inspection report that is generated after the inspection
of your new home. The inspection can reveal serious issues that may require your immediate
attention. You may also be able to include terms within your closing for the seller to make the
repairs prior to you taking possession of the home. Failing to review the inspection documents
could leave you at risk of having future claims denied based on pre-existing damages.
If damages are noted on the inspection, it is also important to quickly address the issues. If you
opt to have the seller make the repairs, ask for invoices and other proof that the repairs were
performed and save those documents for your records. That way, if your home later has new
damage to the same areas of the home, you will have proof that the previous damages were
repaired. If you decide to hire your own contractor to make the repairs, make sure to have the
repairs performed as soon as possible. Waiting to make the repairs can also be risky if further
damage occurs before the repairs are made. Most homeowner’s insurance policies exclude
coverage for pre-existing damage and it may be difficult to differentiate the old damage from the
new damage. Reviewing your purchase inspection and quickly addressing any issues will save
you a headache in the future. Having done this, you can rest easy and enjoy your new home!
Contact us if you need help with a homeowner’s insurance claim. We are always happy to help.
Nathalie Eisenstein, Esq.
Learn more about Nathalie here!
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