At first glance, your home might look perfect, but the truth is that there can be problems hiding beneath the surface. Unexpected issues like damage to the foundation, leaky pipes, or outdated electrical systems can make a home much less appealing to buyers. Luckily, there’s a solution: scheduling a home inspection prior to selling your home is a great way to get a thorough examination of your property to uncover any potential issues. This article will detail everything you need to know about home inspections, including the pros, cons, and what to expect!
Pros
One of the primary benefits of a home inspection is the chance to understand the true condition of your property. Research shows that some of the most common problems uncovered in home inspections include HVAC system issues, safety issues, and water damage. Knowing these problems exist in your home provides insight that will help you price your home correctly. It also gives you the opportunity to address any potential issues before moving forward with the sale process. Some changes – such as replacing non working electrical appliances or removing trip hazards – can be easy fixes to improve the value of your home.
Another benefit of getting a home inspection before selling is that it provides the opportunity to use the inspection report as a marketing tool. Many buyers are interested in move-in ready homes, and a detailed inspection report can assure them that your home has been well-maintained prior to the sale. With so many potential properties on the market, a good inspection report can set your home apart from other homes and attract buyers who aren’t interested in buying a fixer-upper.
Additionally, a home inspection report can be helpful when it comes to the negotiating stage of the home-selling process. By being upfront about the results of your home inspection, you can build trust with buyers, which in turn can make them feel more comfortable when it comes time to place an offer.
Another benefit of getting a home inspection before selling is that it provides the opportunity to use the inspection report as a marketing tool. Many buyers are interested in move-in ready homes, and a detailed inspection report can assure them that your home has been well-maintained prior to the sale. With so many potential properties on the market, a good inspection report can set your home apart from other homes and attract buyers who aren’t interested in buying a fixer-upper.
Additionally, a home inspection report can be helpful when it comes to the negotiating stage of the home-selling process. By being upfront about the results of your home inspection, you can build trust with buyers, which in turn can make them feel more comfortable when it comes time to place an offer.
Cons
It’s important to keep in mind that while a home inspection can be a great tool, it also carries some potential downsides. For example, getting your home inspected isn’t a free service, and depending on the size of your property, it can get expensive, especially if you are already on a tight budget. Generally, a home inspection costs $300 to $500 dollars, but older homes can often cost more than that due to there being more potential issues. Additionally, larger homes can often have more items to inspect, such as multiple HVAC systems, and that can increase the price as well. Where you live might impact the cost as well: Pacific Palisades real estate might have different inspection needs than Minneapolis real estate.
A home inspection can also cause delays in the home sale process, which can be frustrating if you are eager to sell your home quickly. It can take time to get the inspection scheduled, and while the inspection itself may only take a few hours (depending on the size and scope of your property), it can take days to get the report back from the inspector. Additionally, the report might uncover some unexpected problems in need of repair, which can delay your sale even further.
A home inspection can also cause delays in the home sale process, which can be frustrating if you are eager to sell your home quickly. It can take time to get the inspection scheduled, and while the inspection itself may only take a few hours (depending on the size and scope of your property), it can take days to get the report back from the inspector. Additionally, the report might uncover some unexpected problems in need of repair, which can delay your sale even further.
How do I schedule a home inspection?
Take some time to research home inspectors in your area. Don’t hire the very first inspector you find. Instead, take the time to ensure that the home inspector you choose is correctly licensed and insured. Call to get a sense of their pricing and availability, and treat it like a job interview by asking questions to make sure that they’re a good fit. Additionally, if you are using a real estate agent to facilitate the sale of your home, you should inform your real estate agent that you have scheduled an inspection. While they aren’t required to attend the inspection, many do as a courtesy. They can provide you with support through the process by answering any questions you have and making note of things the inspector says.
What repairs are legally required after a home inspection?
After your home inspection, you might assume that you are legally required to fix everything listed on the report. Still, there isn’t actually a legal requirement to make repairs after an inspection. However, that doesn’t mean that you can just sweep any problems under the rug and expect the sale to go off without a hitch. Oftentimes the repairs you choose to complete are negotiated between you, the seller, and the buyer as part of the sales contract. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the specific circumstances of the sale. However, it's worth remembering that some issues may need to be disclosed to potential buyers to avoid legal issues down the line. And specific mortgage lenders might require certain repairs before they provide financing.
How can I prepare my home for an inspection?
There are some steps you can take prior to your home inspection that can ensure that the process goes smoothly. First off, it’s important to clean your home. By decluttering all areas of your property, you can ensure that each room is tidy and easily accessible for the inspector. You can also preemptively check your home and make any repairs that you might have been putting off. Replace any cracked windows, call a plumber to fix any leaky faucets, and replace the batteries in all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It can also be useful to replace your HVAC filters and clean the air ducts. By proactively checking for repairs, you can increase the odds of a favorable inspection report.
The final word
Overall, getting your home inspected is a crucial step that can help guarantee that your home sale runs smoothly and successfully. By helping to identify potential issues in your home, you can ensure that your home is attractive to buyers while also gaining a potentially useful tool in your negotiations. And by understanding the pros and cons of getting your home inspected, as well as how to prepare for an inspection and schedule an inspector, you can make the most of this valuable tool and confidently take steps toward a successful sale. If you are just starting the home selling process and have questions about home inspections, contact Aitan Segal of Aitan Segal Real Estate!
