Home Inspections
During the home selling process it is customary for the buyer to request, and pay for, a home inspection of your property. Most home sales contracts are contingent upon a satisfactory inspection, or if repairs are required, a renegotiation of the contract. Sometimes a homeowner can be completely caught off guard with repair issues they didn’t realize they had, or they may have thought were no big deal.
In the past home inspections were part of a checklist. It was a Seller’s Market and anxious buyers would often turn a blind eye to any repair issues or the seller knew there were other buyer’s waiting in the wings and did not have to negotiate repairs. Today, buyers are more educated and are negotiating and reviewing contracts and inspection reports meticulously. A home inspection can make or break a deal and therefore becoming more important in the home selling process.
Forbes recommends getting a pre inspection BEFORE you list your home for sale. This will uncover any potential problems that the seller can either choose to repair before listing the home or disclose the defect in the listing process. Knowing what repairs may or may not need to be done will also help determine an accurate listing price of your home. The cleaner and more maintained your home appears, the likely it is to sell faster. Also, by disclosing any defects prior to a contract will protect the seller from claims the buyer may make later which could lead to a potential lawsuit.
Get a Home Inspection Before You List
All in all, getting a home inspection prior to listing your home is an excellent idea. You will have the upper hand in the negotiation process, your buyer’s will be more confident, and you won’t be blind sided by an inspection that has you back at the negotiation table costing time and money. Your Realtor can help you with any questions you may have about a home inspection.
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