Why should you have a Pre-Listing Inspection
Typically, the home inspection occurs after you have a contract on your home. It will uncover any problems with the home, whether large or small. Most buyers will use issues found on a home inspection to renegotiate the price of the home, ask for you to make repairs or they may even walk away. At the very least, a buyer’s estimate may be more costly to the seller’s bottom line.
As a seller, you can become proactive when selling your home. Instead of waiting for the buyer to order a home inspection, get your pre-listing inspection done early. Not only will this help you understand any issues with your home, but it can also put the negotiating power back in your hands.
What is a Pre-Listing Home Inspection?
Before you put your home up for sale, there are many things you\’ll want to do. One of those things is a pre-listing inspection. This type of home inspection is done before you list your home with a Chattanooga Realtor and helps to ensure you understand exactly what\’s wrong with your home. You will need to spend between $300 and $500 for this type of inspection, but it\’s well worth every dime.
Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
Sellers gain many great benefits from getting a pre-listing inspection done. Some of the top benefits include:
No Surprises
You won’t be caught off guard when a buyer has a home inspection done and they find something wrong with your house. All issues will have already been uncovered before you list your home. You\’ll even know an estimated cost for fixing the issue. or have the opportunity to fix the issue before we go on the market.
Saves Time
A pre-listing home inspection will help save you plenty of time. There\’s nothing worse when selling your home than having an offer, getting half way through the process and watching the deal fall apart after the inspection. A pre-listing inspection will keep you from wasting time because you’ll know what to expect.
Sell your Home for the Highest Possible Price
The sales price can come down if the home inspection comes back with issues needing repaired. Most buyers will renegotiate and they will ask for the highest number in the range provided for repair costs. This could cost you thousands. However, with a pre-listing inspection, you will already know what to expect and you can even make repairs before listing your home.
Gives you Peace of Mind
Knowing what might be an issue with your home before listing will help give you peace of mind. You’ll have the opportunity to make the decision to repair the issue or just disclose it during the sales process. With a pre listing inspection this gives you the opportunity to disclose any issue that are found during the inspection. This way you can sleep at night knowing that you did not forget anything.
Might Save the Deal
The home inspection is a common time when a contract on your home may go from excitement to disappointment. Buyers may back out, if the home inspection comes back with issues; even if they are small. With a pre-listing inspection, you can get many small things taken care of before you list the property for sale.
Should You Fix it or Leave it Alone?
After getting your pre-listing inspection, you’ll have the opportunity to decide to fix any home issues or leave them alone. However, if you don’t fix the issue, you will need to disclose it to any potential buyers. Some repairs won’t cost much and they will make a big difference during the home selling process. Making repairs before listing your home may also save you money.
Our experience indicates the buyer will ask or determine the price for repairs to be higher than a seller can remediate the issue for beforehand. A pre-inspection allows you time to get estimates without the limited timelines within a contract.
Some repairs are far more important than others. For example, if the pre-listing inspection shows water damage or mold, you should get those issues fixed before listing your home. However, something small, such as a dripping faucet, may not be as urgent. Your Chattanooga Realtor will be able to help you prioritize any potential repairs before listing your home for sale.
Proactive Sellers Win:
A pre-listing inspection is a proactive move by a seller. It helps to ensure your home is ready to go to market and there won’t be any surprises. While you’ll have to pay a few hundred dollars for the inspection, it may end up saving you thousands later on.
The benefits certainly outweigh the cost of a pre-listing home inspection. Even if you decide not to make any repairs, you’ll be able to disclose the information to any potential buyers ahead of time. This will help to remove negotiating power and allow you to sell your home for the right price, to the right buyer.
When you do a pre-listing home inspection we are able to use that in our marketing and sometimes help speed up the closing process when a potential Buyer sees that you have already had an inspection done the feel more confident in selecting your home. E-mail us with any questions.
