Blog Category: home inspection

March 22nd, 2022 septic truck
March 22nd, 2022

Are Well And Septic Inspections Needed To Get A Mortgage?

Are Well and Septic Inspections Required to Get a Mortgage?

Updated September 2026

If you are buying a home with a private well or septic system, will your mortgage lender require inspections?

The short answer is: sometimes—but not always.

The requirements depend on the mortgage program, the property’s condition, local health regulations and the lender’s own underwriting requirements. It is also important to distinguish between a well-water test, a septic inspection and the appraiser’s visual observation of these systems. Read More

Categories & Tags Home Buying Process, Loan Process, mortgage, Underwriting Rules, , , , ,

March 2nd, 2020 Seller Credit Instead of Repairs
March 2nd, 2020

Getting A Seller Credit In Lieu Of Repairs

Seller Credit Instead of Repairs: What Homebuyers Need to Know

Updated September 2026

After a home inspection, a buyer and seller may agree that the seller will provide a credit instead of completing certain repairs. This can be convenient, but a seller credit is not the same as receiving cash to make repairs after closing.

A seller credit normally appears on the Closing Disclosure and reduces closing costs the buyer would otherwise pay at settlement. It generally cannot be used for the down payment, paid to the buyer as cash, or exceed the buyer’s allowable closing costs.

Seller credits are only one consideration when making an offer on a house or negotiating a sales contract. The proposed credit should be reviewed by the lender before the parties sign an addendum. Read More

Categories & Tags Underwriting Rules, , , , , 91 Comments »

February 17th, 2015 termites
February 17th, 2015

Waiving Termite Contingencies

I sometimes get asked about waiving one or all contingencies in a real estate contract. This helps make for a more aggressive offer in a competitive sellers market. The main contingencies in most real estate contracts are the appraisal contingency, the financing contingency, the termite inspection contingency, and the home inspection contingency. I am not a proponent or an opponent of any of these strategies. I simply want to discuss the pros and cons of each since it is a question I do get. In this blog I’d like to discuss waiving the Termite Inspection contingency. Read More

Categories & Tags Loan Process, , , , ,

February 6th, 2019 magnifying 4340698 1920
February 6th, 2019

Why get a home inspection and who pays for it?

A home inspection protects the buyer. It’s meant to uncover potentially serious issues with the home so that you understand what you’re buying.

In a competitive market, some buyers walk through the home with an inspector before making an offer on the home. This gives them the confidence to formally waive the inspection contingency when they make their offer. And this possibly putting their offer in a stronger position to be accepted.  However, a home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights and minimize unpleasant surprises or unexpected difficulties. Read More

Categories & Tags Home Buying Process, ,