Should we give a copy of our inspection?

Question

As potential buyers in NYC are we supposed to handle the current owner of the property a copy of the inspection certificate considering that we pay for it? Any help out there?

Christopher Phillips · Answer

You don't have to deliver the report in NY. In some states, owners don't really want it. It creates a disclosure issue for them. In NY, people don't have to disclose.Usually, you can just send the photos from the report as a summary to the requested items.Whether or not they agree to fix anything or give credits is another matter.

Mike Cumbie · Answer

I fully agree with Christopher. I have the relevant sections attached to the conditional removal of inspection contingency and the rest is omitted. Now if the deal falls apart we may offer it up for sale. But giving them the whole thing up front does not help the buyer Imo. "But look the furnace listed excellent, that should more than make up for the leaky roof"

William C. · Answer

"As is" in my opinion is by far the worst marketing term ever used by a seller. In reality, ALL real estate is sold "as is". It's not like a car, where as is means no warranty. Homes don't come with a warranty, unless you buy one. So in my opinion "As-is" is the seller screaming please come low ball me because I know it may need some work and I'm not willing to do any. Get a seller credit, which will put cash in your pocket at closing to do the repairs. 100k with zero seller credit is EXACTLY the same offer as $105k with 5k seller credit, to the seller. The difference to the buyer is $5k more cash in your pocket at closing.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Most sellers wont want it, because it taints them. Once they have it, they have to provide it to the next buyer as a disclosure in states that require property disclosures.If you are asking for repairs or a credit, most states require that you send the report to do so.

Sarah Ziehr · Answer

In my state, if you plan on asking for repairs you must supply the report and findings from a licensed inspector. If you plan on walking away from deal or not asking for credits, then you have no obligation to supply the seller with a report you paid for.

Eddie T. · Answer

Monica you mean the inspection report? As an investor I do not provide a copy of the inspection report to the seller. I may photo copy a few pages of items I would like fixed or ask for a credit for those items. IF the seller would be willing to compensate you for the report then yes but most sellers would probably not want too.

Monica Narvaez · Answer

The property is being sold "as is", so there is not much to negotiate in here, maybe one or two main things to mention to the seller, in that case we'll share some pictures or a few pages of the inspection report. We can't be to picky, the south Bronx is very very competitive.

Lynn McGeein · Answer

Read and follow your purchase agreement. Our standard one currently states that buyer will deliver the inspection contingency removal addendum with a complete copy of the home inspection report, or they will provide a standard release agreement. So if my buyers want to negotiate repairs, they need to provide me with a complete copy of the report. If they want out, they need to provide a release agreement, no copy of report necessary. If they don't provide either by the deadline, the contract remains in full force and moves forward. Your state may be different.

William C. · Answer

Are you asking for a credit larger than the cost of the inspection? Look at it as a good investment if so. If not, it's at least peace of mind. To be honest in a lot of cases the seller may not want to see the report. In my state, they would then be required to disclose all of the information contained in it because now they know of all the material defects contained in the report. The fact that you paid for it and the seller didn't is kind of irrelevant in my opinion. You paid for the inspection, the report is simply how the information is relayed to all parties, including the seller. If your seeking a credit for repairs, or actual repairs, you should, and might be required to provide the report to show exactly what you are referring to. Like I mentioned above, sit may have cost you $500 for the inspection but that doesn't necessarily mean the report produced is now worth $500, and in fact they probably don't want it but do need it.

Monica Narvaez · Answer

Because we pay for the inspection and not the seller I guess