Home inspection is an important step for any potential homebuyer, as it can reveal hidden issues that may not have been disclosed by the seller. One such issue is past fire damage, which can be a costly surprise if it was not listed on the property disclosure.

If a home inspector discovers fire damage, the first thing to do is to document it thoroughly. This includes taking pictures and writing down the extent of the damage. The inspector should also take note of any areas that may have been affected by the fire and smoke, even if the damage is not obvious.

Once the fire damage is documented, such damage should immediately conveyed to the buyer should be made aware of the issue and may want to renegotiate the purchase agreement.

In some cases, the fire damage may be minor and can be easily fixed. In other cases, the damage may be more extensive and may require the buyer to incur additional costs. In either situation, the buyer should be aware of the issue and the potential costs before signing the purchase agreement.

In conclusion, fire damage can be an unexpected surprise for a homebuyer, especially if it was not disclosed on the property disclosure. It is important for the home inspector to document the damage. In some cases, the fire damage may be minor and easily repairable. In other cases, the damage may be more extensive and more costly to repair. In either situation, the buyer should be aware of the issue before signing the purchase agreement.