We are buying a house. The home inspection is scheduled for next week, but we’re not sure what to do once we get the report. Is the inspection report just for our information or can we use it to negotiate with the sellers? Can we walk away from the deal if we don’t like the report or are we obligated to go ahead with the purchase? What can you tell us about this? –Alan

DEAR ALAN: A home inspection empowers you with essential options as a buyer, but with some limitations. In the majority of home sales, the deal is contingent upon the buyers’ acceptance of the home inspection report. This means that you, as buyer, have a specified number of days to accept or decline the property in “as is” condition. If you decline acceptance, you have four basic choices:

1) Ask the sellers to make a few repairs.
2) Ask the sellers to make many repairs.
2) Ask the sellers to reduce the sales price.
3) Decline to purchase the property.

If you request repairs or a price adjustment, based upon the home inspection report, the sellers also have choices.