A Pre-Listing Home Inspection Can Put The Seller In Control.
A pre-listing home inspection provides sellers with upfront information about the condition of their property, which gives them more control over repairs and potentially strengthens their negotiating position. In the typical real estate transaction, the buyer is the one to order a home inspection, but sellers can also request a professional assessment of their home before putting it on the market.
Not many sellers take advantage of this. Most sellers don’t think of this and are unaware that this can happen. Some that are aware that this can be done often feel that in doing the pre-inspection can bring up issues in the home that might slow the process of the sale down, but lets look into that. A pre-listing inspection provides sellers with upfront information about the condition of their property, which gives them more control over repairs and potentially strengthens their negotiating position.
What is the difference between a pre-listing home inspection and a buyers inspection?
The scope of both inspections are the same. A pre-listing home inspection focuses on the proper functionality of all major systems and components of the house: heating and cooling; electrical; plumbing; roof and structure; siding; and doors and windows. It’s a full inspection for the seller to better understand the condition of their home prior to the buyer’s inspection. This gives the seller important information to consider so they’re not caught off-guard in the midst of a transaction. The only differences are the customer for whom the inspection is being conducted—in this case, it’s the seller, not the buyer—and the point when the inspection occurs.
So why should the seller have move forward with a pre-listing home inspection if the buyer is going to have one as well?
The value to the seller is that a pre-listing home inspection makes them aware of issues in advance of negotiating a purchase agreement, allowing them the chance to resolve the issues or have them accounted for upfront in the asking price. This gives the seller better control in marketing their home and helps minimize stress from heat-of-the-moment negotiations once a purchase agreement is tendered. Homes that have a pre-listing inspection generally sell faster and have fewer inspection-related issues to negotiate, enabling a smoother transaction.
What should the seller do if a significant problem is uncovered in the pre-listing home inspection?
It’s always better for everyone to know about major inspection issues as soon as possible. Once they’re identified, they can be carefully assessed for proper resolution. Depending on the nature of the issue, a seller shouldn’t automatically assume that everything needs to be fixed before putting the home on the market. Their real estate professional should advise whether the repairs are necessary to the possibility of the sale. Regardless of who owns the property, issues of concern to the buyer will need to be dealt with somehow, and the associated cost of the resolution is a consideration for both the buyer and seller.
If the seller doesn’t want to pay for repairs, what peace of mind does a pre-listing home inspection give to the buyer?
For many buyers, being provided forthcoming inspection information provides absolute trust in the seller and the condition of the home. They’re made aware of issues identified in the inspection report, which gives them more facts to work with, and then they’re provided subsequent clarity on which issues have been or will be resolved as part of the transaction. Sellers who proactively disclose pre-listing home inspection issues give buyers proper awareness to factor them into their offers.
Can pre-listing home inspections help real estate agents when marketing a home?
The more information agents can provide to the potential buyer, the better it is for the sale. There are a couple ways that a pre-listing home inspection can help with the sale of a home. First, by being aware of and disclosing known property issues upfront, the seller and listing agent can make it known that consideration for those items has already been factored into the sales price. That effectively takes these issues off the negotiation table. Second, the seller can choose to repair the issues prior to listing, which gives them more control over repair costs.
Would buyers still want to do their own inspection?
Yes, absolutely. If a seller claims to have resolved issues that were uncovered in a pre-listing home inspection, the buyer will want a subsequent inspection to confirm those repairs. Whether the buyer uses the same inspector that the seller used is a matter of personal preference, and there are pros and cons either way. Using the same inspector can be beneficial because their prior experience and familiarity with the home allows them to better detect changes based on a point in time. But a properly trained and certified home inspector will inspect the home for the seller or the buyer in the same manner. This person’s view of the home is objective and won’t change based on who hired them.
How much does a typical pre-listing home inspection cost?
The fee is the same as a buyer’s inspection, generally ranging from $300 to $500 for a certified inspector who carries E&O insurance. Of course, the price varies based on location, square footage, age of the home, and any special conditions.
Conclusion
Pre-listing home inspections do not only uncover negatives, they can also give you an opportunity to promote what’s great about your home. If your inspector gives you any good news like your furnace has plenty of good years left or your sewer connection is in perfect condition, you can promote those in your listing. Just making the results of your pre-listing home inspection available to buyers is a way to build trust. A pre-inspection can help sellers prioritize which improvements and upgrades to complete before listing.
If you are thinking about selling your home in Wichita, Kansas, or the surrounding area call or visit Profound Home Inspections. We would be glad to sit down with you and speak on the advantages of a pre-listing home inspection or a pre-purchase inspection.
At Profound Home Inspections, we are committed to providing the highest caliber home inspection services you can find in the Wichita, Kansas area. Our software provides digital home inspection reports that are Web-based and mobile-friendly, our interactive home inspection reports emphasize what’s important with a clean layout, high-def photos with easy navigation.
Our company takes pride in the relationships we build with our customers and the quality of work we provide to each of our clients. Using the leading techniques in the industry, we provide whole-home inspections that ensure your family is safe in your new home.
Zillow Pre-Listing Home Inspections
National Association of Realtors
