What Is Due Diligence Period in Real Estate?
In real estate, the duration for buyers to perform due diligence as specified in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. This interval enables the buyer to complete various tasks to verify that the property satisfies their expectations and represents a valuable investment. During the Due Diligence Period, Buyer has the option to further negotiate terms of the contract or, terminate the contract and is entitled to receive a refund of their earnest money without penalty.
If the Property is being sold subject to a Due Diligence Period, then: a) this Agreement shall be an option contract during which time Buyer shall have the option, for any reason or for no reason, to terminate this Agreement upon notice to the Seller given prior to the expiration of the Due Diligence Period, in which case Buyer shall be entitled to a return of Buyer's earnest money without penalty
2023 GAR Form Purchase and Sale Agreement:
8. Inspection and Due Diligence
- Buyer's Right to Inspect Property: Unless otherwise specified herein, the Property is being sold in "as-is" condition with any and all faults. Therefore, Buyer and/or Buyer's representatives) have the right to carefully inspect the Property to make sure it meets the needs of the Buyer. If Buyer is concerned that the Property may have been used as a laboratory for the production of methamphetamine, or as a dumpsite for the same, Buyer should review the National Clandestine Laboratory Register - Georgia at www.dea.gov.
- Buyer's Right to Inspect Neighborhood: In every neighborhood there are conditions which different buyers may find objectionable Buyer is solely responsible for becoming familiar with neighborhood conditions of concern to Buyer that could affect the Property such as landfills, quarries, power lines, airports, cemeteries, prisons, stadiums, odor and noise producing activities, crime and school, land use, government and transportation maps and plans. If Buyer is concerned about the possibility of a registered sex offender residing in a neighborhood in which Buyer is interested, Buyer should review the Georgia Violent Sex Offender Registry available on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Website at www.gbi.georgia.gov.
- Buyer's Inspection Rights Continue through Closing: Upon prior notice to Seller, Buyer and/or Buyer's representatives shall have the continuing right through Closing to enter the Property at Buyer's expense and at reasonable times to, among other things, and without limitation, conduct inspections, examinations, evaluations, appraisals, surveys and tests, meet contractors and vendors,
measure for renovations, determine the condition of the Property and confirm that any agreed upon repairs have been made. Seller shall cause all utilities, systems and equipment to be on so that Buyer may complete all inspections. - Buyer's Inspection Indemnification Obligations: Buyer agrees to hold Seller and all Brokers harmless from all claims, injuries and damages related to the exercise of the above inspection rights by Buyer and Buyer's representatives, and Buyer shall promptly pay Seller the actual cost to restore any portion of the Property damaged or disturbed from testing or other evaluations to a condition equal to or better than the condition it was prior to such testing or evaluation
- Lead-Based Paint Hazard Evaluation: If any portion of the Property was built prior to 1978, the Lead-Based Paint Exhibit (F316) is hereby attached as an Exhibit to the Agreement. Buyer shall have the right to conduct a lead hazard evaluation within ten (10) days from the Binding Agreement Date (or other mutually agreed upon time period) and to terminate this Agreement without penalty upon notice to Seller if lead-based paint and/or lead hazards are found (unless these rights are waived by Buyer in the Lead-Based Paint Exhibit (F316)). If the Lead-Based Paint Exhibit (F316) gives Buyer the right to terminate this Agreement if lead-based paint or lead hazards are found and such notice of termination is not given within ten (10) days from Binding Agreement Date (or other mutually agreed upon time period), the right to terminate for lead-based paint and/or lead hazards shall be waived.
- Due Diligence Period: If the Property is being sold subject to a Due Diligence Period, then: a) this Agreement shall be an option contract during which time Buyer shall have the option, for any reason or for no reason, to terminate this Agreement upon notice to the Seller given prior to the expiration of the Due Diligence Period, in which case Buyer shall be entitled to a return of Buyer's earnest money without penalty; b) Buyer may, during the Due Diligence Period, seek to amend this Agreement to address any concerns Buyer has with the Property or this Agreement; and c) if Buyer has not terminated this Agreement as set forth above, Buyer shall accept the Property in "as-is condition, subject to any amendment to this Agreement to address concerns agreed to by the parties.
- Seller's Duty to Disclose: Seller shall disclose to Buyer any and all known latent or hidden defects in the Property that could not be discovered by the Buyer during a reasonably careful inspection of the Property.
- Warranties Transfer: Seller agrees to transfer to Buyer, at closing, subject to Buyer's acceptance thereof (and at Buyer's expense, if there is any cost associated with said transfer), Seller's interest in any existing manufacturer's warranties, service contracts, termite treatment and/or repair guarantee and/or other similar warranties which, by their terms, may be transferable to Buyer.
- Repairs: All agreed upon repairs and replacements shall be performed in a good and workmanlike manner prior to closing unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Buyer and Seller.
In summary, due diligence is a designated period that allows the buyer to seek clarification, conduct inquiries, and address any concerns before making the purchase. This timeframe empowers the buyer to move forward with confidence, having thoroughly evaluated the property and ensured that it meets their needs and expectations.
