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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Reduce Foreclosure Risk ? Hire a Structural Engineer

By Mary Smith

Structural engineers can be an invaluable asset to buyers wishing to purchase foreclosed property. Years of neglect may have allowed small maintenance and repair problems to escalate. In some cases these problems may even threaten the entire structure. Buyers need to be fully aware of all the problems a foreclosed property may contain.

Florida sellers are required by law to disclose problems that are not obvious if they might affect the property value. Property in foreclosure however, is typically owned by a bank. They don?t live on the property and in fact, may never even visit the property. They cannot disclose information they?re not aware of. The result is that they sell these properties ?as is.? In these cases home inspectors and structural engineers can help.

Structural engineers are experts in understanding the structure of buildings. They understand how the foundation, walls, beams and other structural members work together to form a strong structure. During a structural inspection they will examine each of these members to look for deterioration, or deformation or structural weakness that could affect the building.

What?s the difference between a structural engineer and a professional home inspector? A home inspector is qualified to carefully examine a home and the systems it contains, such as electrical, plumbing, etc. Their job is to describe what is visible. Only a structural engineer is qualified to diagnose a structural problem, and recommend solutions.

Most smart home buyers will hire a home inspector before they purchase any home. Foreclosed homes that have been vacant for several years are even more of a risk. They can uncover potential problems that might cost considerable time and money in the future. Knowing about these issues ahead of the purchase allows the necessary price negotiation to cover repairs or replacement.

Always inspect any potential purchase carefully. Inspect both the property and structure. Look for defects such as walls that lean, floors that slope, doors and windows that bind, cracks in the foundation or walls or a porch that slopes toward the house. These may be symptoms of deeper problems. You will need the opinion of a structural engineer to understand the scope and severity involved.

Some may consider the purchase of a foreclosed home a risky affair. The risks can be minimized however, through the use of a home inspector and a structural engineer. These professionals can mitigate the risks and help both investors and home buyers achieve peace of mind and make a safe investment. - 23222

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