Houston Real Estate Podcast with Dale Ross - Do You Need to Correct Code Violations?

Do You Need to Correct Code Violations?

12/28/16 • -1 min

Houston Real Estate Podcast with Dale Ross

If you’re selling a home, a home inspection might turn up some code violations. I’m here to tell you how to handle that situation.

Looking to buy a home in the Houston area? Get full MLS access
Considering Selling your Houston area home? Get a market analysis of your home

When a buyer gets a home inspection done, is a seller required to fix code violations? Recently, a buyer did an inspection on one of the homes that we sold, and my seller asked me that question. The answer is no.

A code violation is basically a safety update regarding your plumbing, electrical work, installation of appliances, etc. that have been updated since the home was built or since the last code update.

You don’t have to automatically correct code violations unless you have agreed to do so for the purchaser. Some code violations are more important than others, but most buyers will want electrical issues taken care of especially.

Some code violations are more important than others.

If you’re selling a home, a home inspection might turn up some code violations. I’m here to tell you how to handle that situation.

Looking to buy a home in the Houston area? Get full MLS access
Considering Selling your Houston area home? Get a market analysis of your home

A code violation is basically a safety update regarding your plumbing, electrical work, installation of appliances, etc. that have been updated since the home was built or since the last code update.

Some code violations are more important than others.

Previous Episode

How Can You Successfully Sell a House in the Winter?

Thinking about selling your house this winter? There are a few extra steps you need to take to get the most out of your sale this time of year that I wanted to share with you.

Looking to buy a home in the Houston area? Get full MLS access
Considering Selling your Houston area home? Get a market analysis of your home

Since winter is nearly here, it’s important to remember that the winter market in Houston is still very good—it always has been and it always will be. In fact, December is often the second-highest closing month of the year in real estate here. Why?

People want to buy a home and be living in it by January 1st to take advantage of the homestead exemption. If you buy a house any later, you may not realize the tax exemptions for that particular year.

Another important thing to consider is your landscaping, especially since we have a lot of grasses here that tend to go dormant in the winter. There are several ways to work around grass turning brown.

For starters, you could just leave it as is because you’ll be on even footing with just about everyone else on the market right now. Another option is to buy winter grass or rye grass, which is very inexpensive. It’s a grass you can seed now that’s very hearty throughout the winter months. When the heat comes, it dies off, so you don’t have to worry about it coming back ever again. You can pick it up at Lowe’s or Walmart.

Homes are sold first on emotion.

Next Episode

Should You Have Representation When Purchasing a Brand-New Home?

When buying a brand new home, it’s best to hire a Realtor to represent you. Here’s why.

Looking to buy a home in the Houston area? Get full MLS access
Considering Selling your Houston area home? Get a market analysis of your home

It’s always best to have a Realtor represent you when selling a home, but what about when buying one? There a few reasons why you want a Realtor representing you while looking to purchase a home.

First, here are a few facts on what you are getting into when buying a brand new home.

Whenever you buy a brand new home, the salesperson is not a licensed Realtor, so they are not obligated to abide by any laws or code of ethics that Realtors have to. New home sales agents are representing the seller and the seller only.