Should I Buy a Home Inspection?
Table of Contents
- Why Sellers Should Consider a Home Inspection
- When to Schedule Your Home Inspection
- Attending Your Home Inspection
- Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers
- Final Thoughts
Key Takeaways:
- Identify Issues Early: Know the issues of your house before you sell it by having home inspections first.
- Price Negotiations: Knowing your home's condition ahead of time can help you negotiate better with buyers.
- Sales Tool: A pre-inspected home can serve as a sales tool, making your home more attractive to potential buyers.
- Preparation: You can prepare your home for inspection by decluttering, cleaning, and ensuring easy access to key areas.
A home inspection isn’t something only buyers need to worry about. It can also be on the seller’s side because it can be a smart choice to have your property pre-inspected as not only does it add more trust to potential buyers but also gives you more advantage when negotiating with potential buyers as proof that your price is a reasonable when considering the state or condition of you home is in.
Why Sellers Should Consider a Home Inspection
Although, it is not a requirement in selling your house but the National Association of Realtors encourage home owners to have their homes inspected as it uncovers issues in the current state of your home. That way, buyers feel more at ease when looking for a home thus, creating more trust.
“The pre-listing home inspection—one of the most underrated tools in a seller’s toolkit. Not only can it help you sell faster, but it can also reduce stress, improve your marketing materials, and build serious trust with buyers.”
Source: thecameronteam.net
Avoid Surprises During the Selling Process
For example: You received a great offer for your house and you are expecting for things to go smoothly but then along the process you found out that the house needs major repairs otherwise the sale price will go down in value. Some of the major issues found is that you have roofing issues or plumbing problems, both of which need a lot of time and money to fix.
If problems like these are discovered late in the selling process, there is a high chance that buyers may back out, and it will result to wasted time and money for both you and the potential buyer. Having a home inspection done ahead of time allows you to catch these issues early and deal with them before listing your home and make the selling process quicker. You’ll be able to either make repairs or adjust the price of your home to reflect the work that needs to be done.
Be Prepared for Price Negotiations
Be prepared for buyers to ask for price reductions or repairs based on the results of their home inspection because they will most likely conduct their own. It's common for buyers to ask you that to fix the issues before closing or the seller will ask you to lower the asking price to the amount needed for necessary repairs if you opt not to pre-inspect your home since it is in your decision to do so anyways.
You should also be prepared for buyers to ask for concessions, such as covering closing costs or offering additional warranties. A good listing agent has the necessary skills and expertise to come up with the best price for you and the buyer.
Use the Inspection as a Sales Tool
Having your home inspected before listing it can actually work in your favor. When you can confidently tell potential buyers that your home has already been thoroughly inspected and is in great condition, it’s a great selling point. Buyers will appreciate knowing that you’ve taken care of your property and that they won’t be surprised with hidden issues down the road. This can make your home much more attractive to buyers in a competitive market.
When to Schedule Your Home Inspection
As soon as possible. This will give you more time to prepare and fix the issues found when you had the inspection conducted. Waiting too long will cause you even more financial losses rather than saving more money.
So, schedule the inspection as soon as you’re ready to start preparing your home for sale.
Attending Your Home Inspection
If you are present in the home inspection then you can see firsthand what the inspector finds. This will also make the inspection quicker since you are more familiar with the property and ask them what to inspect first just incase you found issues before them. But, before that, ask them if it would be okay to do so since they have a list of priority what to check first. Other than that, it will definitely speed up the process.
What to Expect
A typical home inspection takes about two to four hours, for an average sized home and how thorough the inspector is. It could be more if the house is bigger. The waiting time usually for the inspection report takes 1-3 business days. During this time, the inspector will examine your home from top to bottom, checking everything from the foundation to the roof, the plumbing to the electrical systems, and everything in between.
Tips for Attending Your Home Inspection
- Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes. You may find yourself crawling under and behind things to see what the inspector is pointing out.
- Give the inspector space to work. It’s tempting to hover around, but it’s best to let them do their job without interruption.
- Plan for the inspection to take a few hours. This gives the inspector time to thoroughly check everything.
Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers
To make the process go smoothly, there are a few things you can do to prepare your home for the inspection. Here’s a checklist to help you get started:
- Clear Clutter: Make sure there’s no clutter in key areas like the water heater, furnace, main valves, and other inspection points. This makes it easier for the inspector to access and evaluate everything.
- Clean Your Home: A clean house shows that you’ve taken good care of the property. It also helps the inspector do a more thorough job, as they won’t have to work around dust or clutter.
- Provide Access: Make sure the inspector can easily access all parts of your home, including the attic, basement, crawl spaces, and garage. If you have keys for any locked areas, be sure to leave them out for the inspector.
- Provide Repair Documents: If you’ve had major repairs or upgrades done to the home, such as a new roof, furnace, or electrical system, provide any documentation or receipts for the work. This shows buyers that the home has been properly maintained and updated.
- Leave Utilities Connected: If your home is vacant, make sure that utilities like electricity, gas, and water are still connected. This allows the inspector to test everything and make sure they are still working.
Final Thoughts
A home inspection will give you an advantage when selling your home and it will sell fast since buyers trust more those who have home inspections readily available for them to inspect. Have the home inspection as soon as possible so you will have time to prepare should there be any issues found.
Contact me for more real estate tips!
About the Author
Aaron Jones is an award-winning real estate professional, recognized in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), he is dedicated to helping clients navigate the home-buying process with confidence. Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, Aaron brings local expertise and a commitment to exceptional service.
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