True Confessions - Words Matter!

In real estate, the fine print isn’t just legal jargon — it’s your protection.

Let me tell you a story. One of my recent buyers was under contract when their inspector flagged a potential issue with the sewer line. His exact words? “I can’t get the sewer scope all the way through. A professional plumber should take a look.”

So, we carefully wrote the inspection objection: the seller must hire a licensed plumber to scope the entire line and provide written confirmation that it was in good working order. Seems straightforward, right?

The seller pushed back. They said the line had been checked just two weeks earlier. But — and this is the key — they had no invoice, no video, and nothing in writing to back it up. We held firm. The wording stayed in, and the resolution was signed.

And guess what? When the plumber finally did check it, they confirmed the line was bad. First half had to be replaced. Then the second half. Final bill? Almost $20,000.

If we’d watered down our language or relied on a vague verbal assurance, my buyer would have been stuck with the bill. Instead, the contract protected them — because we protected the language.

Words matter.

Your inspection objection matters.

How your resolution is written matters.

If you’re buying a home, make sure you're working with a professional who knows how to put your protection in writing — and means it.