Why a Seller Should Get a Home Inspection
A pre-listing home inspection is a home inspection the seller pays for before listing the home. Why would a seller get a home inspection before listing their home for sale? Every situation is unique when selling a home and whether or not a pre-listing home inspection is a good idea will depend on the circumstances and the property.
At Tri-County Inspections a good percentage of our home inspections are ordered by home owners that are in early stages of considering selling their home. They aren't sure what they could get for it. They know the house might have a few things that could use some updating, but aren't sure how important it is to get things fixed before listing, aren't certain which things take a higher priority in repairing and they want it evaluated by a home inspector before meeting with a real estate agent.
In a recent Kiplinger article "11 Things Every Home Seller Should Do" the author states:
You could proactively hire a home inspector to identify small and big problems that you can have fixed before listing your property... Honesty is always the best policy. Even if you don't disclose problems, the buyer's home inspector is likely to discover them and your lack of transparency could cause the buyer to walk away. And, if he or she discovers the problem after the sale closes, you could be sued for misrepresentation or omission in your disclosure.
The pre-listing home inspection will not tell you how much your home is worth but instead it can provide some peace of mind and confidence when meeting with a realtor and evaluating your situation. There are many benefits to getting a pre-listing home inspection, but the one we hear the most is they want to know what will come up before the buyer gets their home inspection to reduce the stress that can be involved in selling your home.
Pre-Listing Home Inspections Reduce Stress by Reducing "Surprises"
Every home has "issues" that will show up on a home inspection report. Home inspections are not pass or fail or graded tests. Instead they are a list of components in a home, including HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, roof, attic, windows, doors, foundation, basement, appliances, and so on, and a description of their condition. Even new construction homes will have mention of areas to improve - read Do I Need a Home Inspection for a New Construction Home.
Pre-Listing Home Inspection Can Reduce Lengthy Negotiations
A pre-listing home inspection lets the seller know what areas of the home a buyer might decide are in need of immediate repair as a condition of buying the home. When the buyer gets a home inspection it can uncover some unknown home expenses that change the situation for the seller. For example, if there is a septic leak, radon is at high levels, the HVAC system needs updating or substantial mold is uncovered in the basement, a buyer might use these issues to withdraw their offer or to re-negotiate. Many times the buyer lowers their offer, makes a new offer contingent on the seller provideing a credit towards these repairs or contingent on making the repairs as a condition of the sale. For the seller that can mean stress, stress, stress. More decisions. More unexpected complications.
Getting a pre-listing home inspection allows the seller to uncover any surprises on their own terms, reducing stress and allowing for more control of the process.
Other benefits of a pre-listing home inspection include saving money, selling faster, getting higher offers, getting multiple offers and even getting the information you need to determine if selling your home doesn't make sense at the moment. Ever see those houses that get put up for sale, then the sign gets changed to "pending" but then the house comes off the market without selling? Always makes us wonder if something came up in the inspection that the buyer wanted the seller to repair and the seller determined it just wasn't worth dealing with the hassle. A pre-listing home inspection would have likely avoided all that stress, so call Tri-County Inspections today to find out about our inspection discounts and schedule your pre-listing home inspection today.
Related Posts:
Sell Faster and Sell for More With a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
Save Money With a Pre-Listing Home Inspection Before You Sell
