The Secrets about your house
May 7th, 2008 categories: Sellers
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So, you’re thinking about listing your house? Do you think you know everything going on in the home? Most people think they know every corner of their house and, in many cases this may be true. However, if you’re a pro-active seller and have had your home inspected by a certified ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) inspector, you may find out that there’s more going on in the home than you’ve ever thought about!
Consider this. The buyer is dilligent and has an inspection. The inspector finds and creates a list of defects. The buyer then analyzes them and has valid questions about what is going on in the property. Usually, the first reaction may be a price reduction. We will buy your house if you drop the price $10,000 to replace the roof (it may only need a repair), and $12,000 for the HVAC system (it can probably be replaced for much less) and so on. The value of repairs can be doubled or tripled in the minds of buyers. So, you’re now in a position of negotiating the amount of repairs and save the deal at the same time, but probably at a lower sale price.
How to prevent getting yourself in a pinch like this? By having a pre-sale inspection. Hiring a home inspector to do a pre-sale inspection before listing a home, you will know the condition of the home. Once the inspection is completed and you know the results, you have three options before you: repair, replace or simply disclose. The Seller’s Disclosure statement is a series of questions that covers your knowledge of the functionality and existing defects of the home. Every buyer requests one and looks it over very carefully.
It’s very possible that the roof only needs a repair, if you as the seller makes the repair and removes the defect, there is nothing for the buyer’s inspector to report. By going about it in this manner, you’re removing an item in question as a surprise, last-minute, closing table negotiation.
A pre-sale inspection gives you the seller, the option of making repairs within your time frame, and within your budget. Nothing is more frustrating than having to do a large-ticket replacement or find someone in a hurry to make repairs, the costs go up.
It’s most important in choosing the right inspector. Choosing an ASHI-certified inspector is the safest choice. Members of this trade organization set high standards of education and performance for their members.
Having a pre-sale inspection is a growing trend in buyer’s markets. A full house inspection can avoid costly and unexpected maintenance repairs. People take their cars in for routine maintenance, does it seem reasonable to spend as much consideration and care for the largest and most expensive investment in your life?
