Can I obtain a date or report for any inspection for a property?

Status: Open
Oct 09, 2017 Views19,099 Answer a Question

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Consumer
Categories:
Home Inspections
About 2 years ago
Seems like back to basics on this one. Being the following was posted in 2019, I thought I would share it:

"It’s been said: “disclose, disclose, disclose.” Texas Property Code §5.008 outlines how. The statute, which is intended to be a minimum requirement, does not specifically require the inclusion of copies of recent inspection reports."

"Texas REALTORS® also have a recommended form with added provisions intended to reduce the risk for a seller, including a directive to list any written inspection reports received within the past four years and to attach copies. Other organizations have other, similar recommended forms."



source:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/article/how-deal-inspection-reports-provided-seller
About 4 years ago
Yes, only if the seller will give it to you because the seller does not have to provide this information. I'm a licensed Texas home inspector, (License # 21679) and owner of Inspect TEXAS. My report template states "This inspection report is the property of buyer". Inspection reports are not listed in MLS or any where else and are typically only distributed to the buyer and to buyer's agent. So, even if a different buyer wanted to see the last inspection report on a property they are interested in, there is really no other option than to try and get it from the seller. A home inspection is a snapshot of the home's condition at that given time and since conditions in a home change over time, usually for the worst, I'm really not sure why anyone would want to see an old home inspection report unless the buyer is wanting to use it instead of getting their own inspection performed. This is the largest investment of a life time, don't trust it to some inspector you know nothing about. Do your own homework, read reviews and get an inspector you are comfortable with.
source:
Inspect Texas
About 5 years ago
Hi Denise! Good question! These coveted reports are the property of the person who paid for the report. In a typical transaction the Buyer pays for the report. Once the report has been disclosed to the Seller, the Seller is then required to include the report as part of the sale of the house for four years by attaching it to the Seller's Disclosure. It is my opinion that a buyer should never skip the inspection process. If you need a referral, feel free to contact me; glenda@peekrealtyhouston.com.
About 5 years ago
There are no permanent records of the history of professional home inspections of properties. When a home owner is selling their property the Seller's Disclosure form the home owners complete has a section that asks if the owner has any inspection reports dated within the last 4 years; and, if so, to attach any inspection reports to the Seller's Disclosure. When a home buyer has an inspection done on a property he is under contract to purchase the inspection report is the property of that home buyer. Most buyers will provide a copy of the report to the seller, but some do not. It is not a requirement for a buyer to supply the seller a copy of any inspection reports. Sellers only have to disclose inspection reports they are in possession of that are not older than 4 years.
About 6 years ago
I agree to all provided answers. Your realtor can check with selling agent if they have copy of the past inspection report.
About 6 years ago
Hi Denise -

The inspection is usually paid for and ordered by the home buyer. Therefore, the report belongs to him/her. However, when adjustments are being negotiated, the buyer agent usually provides the findings to the seller as proof for remediation before the sale. The full report belongs to the buyer.
If you just want to know what an inspection looks like, you might want to reach out to an inspector and ask them to show you a sample of the report and what they cover.
Hope this helped.

Mercedes Clarke
832-274-0652
About 6 years ago
Denise,

The buyer pays for the inspection report. This help them decide to go forward, negotiate repair items with seller or worst case scenario to back out of the option. You do not have access to this report nor will you be aware if there is an inspection report on the property unless a ex-buyer gave a copy to the seller.

Don't try to save money by skipping inspection or trying to get an old inspection report. You never know what caliber inspector wrote the report. You want to run a new one with your trustworthy inspector. This is a major purchase and very few people keep changing houses.

You want a worry free dream house with just basic wear and tear not a nightmare in your hands.

Chris
Coldwell Bankers
www.ChrisRealEstatePro.com
832.859.8698
About 6 years ago
Hey Denise,
The inspections are property of the person who hired the inspector. You can ask for it, but they are not required to provide it. With that said, even if provided, it is in your best interest to purchase one for yourself if you are considering a purchase. A home is a big investment and when you use an inspection purchased by anyone other than you, there is no recourse available to you in the event something was missed. Seeing a report can help you make a decision, but if that inspector had a crazy day and missed major issues that should have been detected, you won't be able to attempt to get compensation as they didn't do the work for you.
About 6 years ago
Hi Denise,

An inspection performed on a Property is property of the individual that paid for the inspection. A Seller could enlist an inspector to perform a pre-listing inspection, a Buyer during their Option Period could enlist an inspector to perform an inspection as part of their due diligence and a Seller could have a copy of an inspection performed when they purchased the home. If a Seller of a property has received an inspection report within the last four years, they are obligated to disclose this report on the Seller's Disclosure Notice (whether this be from a previous Buyer who provided the report to the Seller, a pre-listing inspection or Seller's past inspection) and any deficiencies found on this report that haven't been cured should also be noted on the Disclosures.

It is important to note that not every Seller will have an inspection report for their Property, even if the Property had a previous Buyer that terminated his contract. It's up to the Buyer on whether or not he wants to provide the findings of the inspection report to the Seller (most do, but not all). Again, if the Seller has received an inspection report, it has to be provided. A Seller can not refuse to open an email from his agent with an inspection attached in order to claim he doesn't have one.

Your real estate agent will be able to provide you with all the disclosures (and inspection reports, if any) on a property you are interested in!

Let me know if you have any further questions!!

Darby Grimmett, Keller Williams, 936-827-9217, darby@darbygrimmett.com
About 6 years ago
Dear Denise,
Your Realtor should check if the home was previously under contract and get the inspection report from the Seller's agent.

Call me for a no cost no obligation consultation.

Dominik Szabo
Brockway Realty
(832) 844 1724
DominikRealtor.com
The Doctor of Real Estate in Houston Texas
" Professional, Courteous, and Informed "



About 6 years ago
Hi Denise,

Since inspections are contracted by the buyer with an inspection company or individual who does inspections, and not reported as part of the sale, there is no report within the MLS system. You would need to contact the buyer to see if they will share it with you.

Michael Jobin, SRES
C&K Properties
Disclaimer: Answers provided are just opinions and should not be accepted as advice.
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