Typically, it is the buyer who orders a home inspection...
however we strongly suggest that as a seller, you should consider being proactive versus reactive on this matter. The minimal cost is an investment, NOT a cost, in that most home inspections will find any number of items that should be attended to be they minor maintenance items or major issues.Â
It is not unusual for buyers to then renegotiate their offer with a value reduction between $3,000 to $15,000. In performing a pre-listing home inspection there are two resultant scenarios:
1. The home is in 100% perfect condition which then allows you to show any prospective serious buyer that there are no issues, not-withstanding this report, the buyer may still wish to have their own inspection performed, however you are now confident that there is no issue with the home and no need to even consider any value renegotiation.
2.  Your inspection unveils any number of issues – you then have two options
A. Rectify the issues and be accompanied with receipts from the service providers who addressed the issues.
B. Choose Not to resolve any of the issues, and then clearly state to any buyer that there are issues as identified by a professional inspection, note the issues and then stipulate that if any of those identified elements are important to the buyer, to take that into consideration in their offer, but otherwise the items are off the table for any future negotiations.
As such, by you being proactive, provides you the opportunity to obtain offers that are not conditional to a home inspection and no be blindsided after the fact when a buyers inspector identifies any number of valid or otherwise issues with the home.
As such, by you being proactive, provides you the opportunity to obtain offers that are not conditional to a home inspection and no be blindsided after the fact when a buyers inspector identifies any number of valid or otherwise issues with the home.
Performing a pre-listing home inspection is one of the many things that a seller can undertake to make their home not only sell faster, at a higher price, but also to gain the trust of potential buyers and their agents!
First of all, what is a Pre-Listing Inspection?
A pre-listing inspection is the same as a regular home inspection, only the homeowner has the inspection performed prior to listing their home their home! It is often completed to get a better idea of potential repairs that may need to be attended to and also to make your home more appealing!
A pre-listing inspection is the same as any other home inspection, with the inspector reviewing each component and system of your home, to ensure that everything is working as it should and there are no major issues with the home.Â
While buyers are typically the only ones who have a home inspector look at the house during a real estate transaction, it is becoming more common for sellers to have an inspection completed as well.Â
Some sellers may feel that a pre-listing inspection is an unnecessary expenditure, however there are many reasons why we would recommend doing this.
Here are 5 reasons why homeowners are beginning to get pre-listing inspections:
1. Get a Better Understanding of the Condition of Your Home
When a homeowner decides to list their home, typically they have owned their property for several years and feel that they know if there are any problems, which they could have chosen to fix or not, when they decide to sell their home. These problems are typically disclosed to potential buyers when they are looking at the home, which is not a problem.Â
However, once an offer has been accepted and the future buyer has their own inspection, they may find that there are problems with the home that the homeowner was previously unaware of. At this point, the buyers might back out of the sale, or demand that the seller fix these issues prior to the conclusion of the deal.Â
This is a regular occurrence, and is the primary reason why sellers order their own inspections. If they know about these problems beforehand, they can make repairs before listing, or can adjust the asking price to reflect the condition of the home.
2. Give Yourself the Ability to do Repairs in Advance
This is a regular occurrence, and is the primary reason why sellers order their own inspections. If they know about these problems beforehand, they can make repairs before listing, or can adjust the asking price to reflect the condition of the home.
This is a regular occurrence, and is the primary reason why sellers order their own inspections. If they know about these problems beforehand, they can make repairs before listing, or can adjust the asking price to reflect the condition of the home.
Getting a pre-listing inspection can save the seller money and convenience, because they have the ability to price out various contractors, materials, and time frames depending on their preferences.Â
Getting a pre-listing inspection can save the seller money and convenience, because they have the ability to price out various contractors, materials, and time frames depending on their preferences.Â
3. Your Buyer May Accept the Results of Your Pre-Listing Inspection
If the home inspector doesn’t find any significant defects during the pre-listing inspection, the buyer might decide that this inspection is sufficient for them and bypass conditions where they provide their own inspection.
If the home inspector doesn’t find any significant defects during the pre-listing inspection, the buyer might decide that this inspection is sufficient for them and bypass conditions where they provide their own inspection.
Declaring that the home has had a Pre-Listing Inspection may make the home more desirable for prospecting buyers compared to similar listings that have not had one done. Although buyers may still get their own inspection, they can now compare the results to the seller’s inspection. This will allow them greater confidence in the transaction and may also mean that they don’t counter-offer when negotiating the purchase price.Â
4. Gain Credibility & Trust
This is one of the biggest reasons why we would recommend getting a Pre-Listing Inspection. The best way to sell a home quickly and efficiently is to have prospective buyers trust you and your agent.Â
This is one of the biggest reasons why we would recommend getting a Pre-Listing Inspection. The best way to sell a home quickly and efficiently is to have prospective buyers trust you and your agent.Â
If there is anything that a seller can do to increase the trust of their possible buyers, this gives you an advantage over sellers who do not do this, because buyers need to feel safe and secure in their decision to purchase your home!
5. Increased Competitiveness
If there is anything that a seller can do to increase the trust of their possible buyers, this gives you an advantage over sellers who do not do this, because buyers need to feel safe and secure in their decision to purchase your home!
If there is anything that a seller can do to increase the trust of their possible buyers, this gives you an advantage over sellers who do not do this, because buyers need to feel safe and secure in their decision to purchase your home!
If there is anything that a seller can do to increase the trust of their possible buyers, this gives you an advantage over sellers who do not do this, because buyers need to feel safe and secure in their decision to purchase your home!
While a potential buyer will likely still choose to do their own inspection, the cost of a pre-listing inspection is still worth the small price you will pay for it!Â
Not only will it give you peace of mind that your home is in strong selling condition, but it will allow you to gain rapport with buyers, and give you an advantage over other sellers before your home even hits the market.Â
The Hripko Real Estate Team is always dedicated to providing the best service and information to our clients – if you have any further questions or would like more information you can contact us at 403.245.4477 – We Are Here To Help!
