Pre-Divorce Home Inspection
The best time to protect your financial future is before the divorce. In a divorce, emotions can cloud your better judgment. An appraisal to determine home value is a good first step, but it is not enough. You need to determine the true value of the home. Major repairs can negatively impact the value of the home and should be considered by both parties before distribution of assets.
If you are considering purchasing the marital home, a pre-divorce settlement is the best and relatively inexpensive way to protect yourself and your investment. You wouldn’t purchase a home without an inspection. Do you really want to accept the house in a divorce settlement without an inspection?
We are here to help with your divorce, especially your home.
At the Arch Inspections LLC, we provide what you need â a thorough, detailed and objective analysis of the home’s current condition. Our pre-divorce home inspection will assess the condition of the house and identify major items needing improvement or repair, or are at or near the end of their useful life. This information will help to determine the true value of the home and will allow for fair distribution of assets.
Once the last detail has been checked, a comprehensive digital report with photographs is provided within 24 hours which documents any defects or deficiencies that may have been found during the inspection. Our inspectors are well-informed, polite and helpful; they will answer your questions and assist you in understanding the findings. Should any questions or concerns arise about the report or the home following the inspection, telephone consultation with the inspector is available at no extra charge to the client.
What if the report reveals problems?
All homes (even new construction) have problems. Every problem has a solution. Solutions vary from a simple fix of the component to adjusting the settlement price. If the inspector recommends further inspection by a qualified person, this means that you need to get an opinion by a qualified person before your divorce.
What does a pre-divorce inspection include?
A home inspectors will review the condition of the home’s:
- Heating system
- Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
- Interior plumbing
- Electrical systems
- Roof
- Attic
- Visible insulation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windows
- Doors
- Foundation
- Basement
- & Visible structure.
What should I NOT expect from a pre-divorce home inspection?
- A pre-divorce home inspection is not protection against future failures. Stuff happens! Components like air conditioners and heat systems can and will break down. A home inspection attempts to reveal the condition of the component at the time the component was inspected. For protection from future failure you may want to consider a home warranty.
- A pre-divorce home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Nor will a home inspector tell you if you should keep this home or have your soon to be ex-spouse buy you out of the home.
- A pre-divorce home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. Homes built before code revisions are not obligated to comply with the code for homes built today. Home inspectors will report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code such as ungrounded outlets above sinks. A home inspector thinks “Safety” not “Code” when performing a pre-divorce home inspection.
Should I attend the pre-divorce home inspection?
It is often helpful to be there so the home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions you may have. This is an excellent way to learn about your home’s condition even if no problems are found. But be sure to give the home inspector time and space to concentrate and focus so they can do the best job possible for you.