These Can Stop The Sale of Your House!

Selling your house has many steps and obstacles along the way. There is of course determine the price you'd like to offer it to the market. Then there is how it will be listed and marketed. Once offers come in you must decide what makes the most sense for you. Then comes the fun part, closing!

Well not quite...

There are many steps once the property is under contract. Most locations in Pittsburgh require a dye test as well as occupancy inspections. Also, if you are selling to someone who will use the house as their residence, they will most likely have a full home and radon inspection. There is a ton of due diligence in the process and here are some things that can come back to make the sale of your home much more difficult!

1. Dye Test- A dye test will determine how the plumbing flows in the home and if there are any concerns with the sewage. This is normally required to "pass" before the home can be sold. If this fails, it can be on the home owner to foot the bill and make the adjustments needed to pass the dye test in Pittsburgh.

2. Occupancy Inspection- This is done by a local official of the municipality to determine if the house can be lived in, and if there are any risks or possible dangers to inhabiting the home. This can be anything from a down wire to a flimsy handrail that needs fixed. Many times the home owner must pass the inspection to sell the property, or if the buyer is willing to bypass this they can ask for a "temporary occupancy permit" and take care of the changes themselves once they buy it.

3. Home Inspection- Anything and everything can come back once a professional analyzes the ins and outs of a property. There can be problems with the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, etc. This is generally when things will come back and require adjustments or a reduction in the sale price for the buyer to commit to the property.

4. Liens- Liens are any liabilities held on the property from things like utility bills, or construction invoices not paid. These will be located during the closing process by a settlement company that completes a title search on the home. If there are any unpaid liabilities, the seller may have to come out of pocket for these prior to closing.

As you can see, closing on a house can be more challenging than one would think. It is not time to pop a champagne bottle once the house is under contract, that's just the start! There are several inspections that are required and must be approved prior to receiving the check for selling your house. Although it can be a difficult task, it is all worth it in the end when you sit at the closing table!