In which scenario would you likely encounter a patent defect?

A patent defect refers to a flaw or issue in a property that is obvious and can be easily observed upon inspection or viewing of the property. In this scenario, a broken window that is visible during a showing is a clear example of a patent defect because anyone entering the property can see the broken window without the need for specialized knowledge or tools. It is an apparent issue that does not require a professional inspection to identify, making it a straightforward case of a patent defect.

On the other hand, the other scenarios involve latent defects. A hidden crack in the foundation, for instance, may not be visible without an inspection and could require specialized knowledge to detect. Similarly, a roof issue discovered only after the purchase typically reflects a condition that was not apparent at the time of the showing, and a pest infestation found only by an inspector is also something not visible during a standard viewing. These scenarios involve defects that are concealed or require professional evaluation to identify, qualifying them as latent defects rather than patent defects.