The following is a list of reasons for completing a pre-list home inspection before you put your house on the market:
- Home may sell faster!
- Home may sell for more money!
- No more buyers walking away because there may be a problem with the house.
- No more 11th-hour re-negotiations based on the inspector’s findings.
- No more helpless feelings that an inspector has raised an issue that is not a big problem.
- No more buyers getting cold feet when they find out the home is not perfect.
- No more buyers walking away because they don’t have time for an inspection.
- No more parade of inspectors through your home before a multiple-offer situation.
- You choose the inspector based on reputation and credentials.
- You resolve any differences of opinion about the house before it goes on the market.
- All homes have room for improvement. Disclosing the condition of the home allows you to reflect the condition in the listing price, rather than have to negotiate again later when the issues are discovered.
- You fix any conditions identified (if you choose to) or simply reflect it in the purchase price. This takes it off the table as a negotiating point against you.
Carson & Dunlop Associates is a consulting engineering firm which has been devoted exclusively to building inspections since 1978. Their website is located www.carsondunlop.com and they can be reached at (416) 964-9415.
As a property inspector in Australia I’m amazed at how many Realtor’s and vendors jeopardize the sale ad all their hard work. It is tough out there, it is hard enough to win a listing then if they’re lucky enough to finally find a buyer, all that hard work is now at risk and in the hands of the buyers choice of inspector. That “inspector” may be the dreaded expert relative or even an unqualified, uninsured, mate of a mate who thinks it’s their job to sensationalize minor defects, make unsubstantiated comment on the value or sale price of the home, some even make comments like “don’t buy this one, because it doesn’t face the right way you’ll never be able to resell it”. I could go on, I’m writing a book of Horror Stories about people who didn’t get an inspection and there is already a couple of chapters on this subject.
I just don’t understand why anyone would put in so much work and expense in winning a listing, finding a buyer then allow the sale to be put at risk when one simple step is all that is needed. Our experience shows homes that are pre-inspected do sell a lot faster and with less hassles. Imagine being the only agent in town that goes to market with every home pre-inspected, full disclosure, here’s the house warts and all, that’s why it’s at that price. A pre-inspection report takes any defects off the negotiating table immediately, (lets be honest, we all know there is no such thing as a perfect house) satisfies any doubts or buyer remorse, speeds the sale process, buyers can offer a clean contract with no conditions, less price negotiations and the sale is no longer at risk. To all the realtors out there, please take back the control of the sale, after all that is part of your job isn’t it.