Having a pre-home inspection done before selling your home is a wise investment. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, more than 85 percent of home buyers request a home inspection before signing on the dotted line. This can be a nerve wracking time for you, the seller, if you haven't had an inspection since moving in all those years ago. Here are a few reasons that it makes sense to have an inspection before you even put your house on the market.
1. Forewarned is Forearmed
While a home inspection costs several hundred dollars, it is money well spent in the end. You know that your hot water heater is 20 years old, but it has run flawlessly for you and you fully expect it to continue working for the next five to ten years. However, your home inspector rated your hot water heater "defective". Not because of the age, but because that TPR (temperature pressure relief) valve pipe is more than six inches from the floor. Who knew? That's a minor repair, but what about a roof that is nearing the end of its' life expectancy? Now you know, so hop on the phone, get three quotes and have the roof replaced or build the cost into your selling price or negotiate with the buyer to pay a portion of the cost. If the buyer is making the call, they are more likely to find the roofer that charges a premium. Time is on your side at this stage and you are in control.
2. Save Time And Money
A pre-inspection gives you the time you need to find a contractor that can work in your parameters and you won't be tempted to give up some of your profit to get the repair completed to allow the sale to go through. Home buyers will schedule a home inspection shortly after they sign a sales agreement, then they typically have 10 days after signing the agreement to ask for any repairs or price adjustments. You don't want to be in a position where you need to scramble or make concessions you are unable to afford.
3. You Have Nothing To Hide
You repaired what worked within your budget, you built your asking price around any major repairs, you have quotes for those repairs and your home is now on the market, now what? Consider including your home inspection report with the open house material. This shows any potential buyer that you have nothing to hide. This does not mean a serious buyer won't hire their own inspector, but it does give them peace of mind that they are getting what they are paying for.
4. An Edge In A Competitive Market
Let's face it, it's difficult to sell a home. As of the writing of this, the average home in the Kalamazoo area sits on the market for approximately three months. If you offer up your pre-home inspection report, this can really give you an advantage over another seller within your neighborhood. This gives prospective buyers a green light that no major surprises are lurking in the corners and are more comfortable placing a bid. The less problems a potential buyer has to fix the faster your home will sell. It also demonstrates a willingness on your behalf of going above what is expected and helps promote a bond of trust between you and the prospective buyer.
About the only time you may NOT want to have a pre-home inspection done is if you are selling a fixer-upper. It just doesn't make sense to spend the money. It is almost a certainty that there are major repairs to be done and you are most likely going to list it as a "fixer-upper - as is" home anyway.
1. Forewarned is Forearmed
While a home inspection costs several hundred dollars, it is money well spent in the end. You know that your hot water heater is 20 years old, but it has run flawlessly for you and you fully expect it to continue working for the next five to ten years. However, your home inspector rated your hot water heater "defective". Not because of the age, but because that TPR (temperature pressure relief) valve pipe is more than six inches from the floor. Who knew? That's a minor repair, but what about a roof that is nearing the end of its' life expectancy? Now you know, so hop on the phone, get three quotes and have the roof replaced or build the cost into your selling price or negotiate with the buyer to pay a portion of the cost. If the buyer is making the call, they are more likely to find the roofer that charges a premium. Time is on your side at this stage and you are in control.
2. Save Time And Money
A pre-inspection gives you the time you need to find a contractor that can work in your parameters and you won't be tempted to give up some of your profit to get the repair completed to allow the sale to go through. Home buyers will schedule a home inspection shortly after they sign a sales agreement, then they typically have 10 days after signing the agreement to ask for any repairs or price adjustments. You don't want to be in a position where you need to scramble or make concessions you are unable to afford.
3. You Have Nothing To Hide
You repaired what worked within your budget, you built your asking price around any major repairs, you have quotes for those repairs and your home is now on the market, now what? Consider including your home inspection report with the open house material. This shows any potential buyer that you have nothing to hide. This does not mean a serious buyer won't hire their own inspector, but it does give them peace of mind that they are getting what they are paying for.
4. An Edge In A Competitive Market
Let's face it, it's difficult to sell a home. As of the writing of this, the average home in the Kalamazoo area sits on the market for approximately three months. If you offer up your pre-home inspection report, this can really give you an advantage over another seller within your neighborhood. This gives prospective buyers a green light that no major surprises are lurking in the corners and are more comfortable placing a bid. The less problems a potential buyer has to fix the faster your home will sell. It also demonstrates a willingness on your behalf of going above what is expected and helps promote a bond of trust between you and the prospective buyer.
About the only time you may NOT want to have a pre-home inspection done is if you are selling a fixer-upper. It just doesn't make sense to spend the money. It is almost a certainty that there are major repairs to be done and you are most likely going to list it as a "fixer-upper - as is" home anyway.
Get your home inspected by Timberland Home Inspections and I'll provide you with signage to post along side with your realtors sign, showing that your home has been Move In Certified. I will also provide you with reports that potential buyers can take with them. It is a great marketing tool that you can use to help not only sell your home faster, but it provides buyers a confidence that your home is THE home for them to buy.
As part of your pre-listing inspection, we will also include aerial photos of your home from a drone mounted camera. Aerial images help your home stand out from the rest of the traditional photos of homes. Aerial photos are dependent on weather conditions and location.
