Pre-Inspection

Preinspection checklist on clipboard

Why should I have a pre-inspection on my property?

Home inspections are performed, usually for the potential buyer, to identify potential problems and issues before buying a home.

Now there is a growing trend on having homes inspected for the seller, prior to listing their home with a Realtor. Realtors and sellers are starting to recognize the benefits of having a pre-listing home inspection.

These pre-inspections are able to identify and address the possibility of any deal-killing problems.

Realtors invest a great deal of money, energy, and time advertising and showing homes, and a pre-inspection can help make sure that these homes are ready to list on the market.

Listing agents and sellers are starting to understand that a pre-inspection is a proactive approach to successfully market, show, and sell homes.

Let’s face it folks, no agent or seller wants to react to negative issues from an inspector’s report obtained by a potential buyer. Home inspectors are advising listing agents and sellers to have a pre-inspection performed in order to address any issues and suggestions. Thus, allowing the seller to better prepare the house to sell.

By having a pre-inspection, this allows the agents to hang a “Pre-Inspected Home” sign on the property.

Selling agents are noticing that this is an attraction to potential buyers.

 
Here are some pros and cons of having a pre-inspection:

Pros

  1. A good inspector will identify any major issues regarding the roof, structure, HVAC, etc. Many of these items could become major issues, so it is better to be proactive than reactive.
  2. Home inspectors notice that most buyers will accept the original inspection. If another inspector finds additional issues, they are usually few and minor. A second inspection sometimes affirms the buyer’s confidence in the condition of the home. Even though two inspectors may see the house differently, in most instances, the major issues will be addressed by both.
  3. More and more sellers are offering a warranty, such as HMS, with the home. Pre-listing inspections are becoming an extension to this process.
  4. A pre-inspection can and should be used by sellers to help them in preparing their property disclosure statements.

Cons

  1. A buyer may decide to have a second inspection which finds other problems. See #2 above.
  2. Buyers are typically concerned about different things and do not care about the same issues that a seller does. So, sellers could end up spending money and the buyers still want other issues fixed.
  3. Once the realtor is made aware of any issues (defects), most states’ laws require full disclosure.

These are just a few pros and cons for having a pre-inspection done.

If you want to price your home at the top of the market and you think there are a lot of small issues or major big ones, then have the inspection and fix the issues.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please feel free to call regarding any questions and concerns.

Sincerely,
Phillip Earlywine
Phil Earlywine