An important step in purchasing a new home is the home inspection. The home inspection will identify any potential issues with the home not already disclosed. The home inspector will work throughout the home from the foundation to the roof documenting all discoverable issues. The inspector will also provide their assessment of important aspects of the home like the integrity of the roof, foundation, electrical wiring, appliances and all other major components of the home. At the end, the purchaser of the home inspection will have a long, organized report of any and all findings throughout the home.
The inspection may also reveal otherwise undetectable issues that could be dangerous. Inspectors will check for radon, signs of mold, the electrical wiring, and other issues unknown to the average person. Any of these issues could become life threatening and a serious danger to the buyer. Identifying these issues requires a professional who knows what they’re looking for in order to identify the issues. The seller may not be aware that the home has major unknown health risks through exposure to black mold or radon poisoning. The electrical wiring concealed behind the walls if faulty is a potential fire risk. The carbon monoxide smoke detection system may also not work properly without an inspector assessing the functionality.
Home inspections aren’t just for the buyer’s protection. Sellers, too, can request a professional inspection of their home before putting it on the market. This gives you a great marketing advantage, as well as negotiating power. Additionally, you can price your home with confidence, speed up the purchase process, and prepare yourself to resolve previously unknown issues revealed by the inspection.
Pre-listing home inspections won’t always show the ugly truth, but can also give you the opportunity to promote what’s great about your home. Maybe you learn that your roof is in perfect condition and your hot water heater has another 10 years on it. You now have those bragging rights to include in your listing! On the other hand, maybe you learn that your home isn’t in as good a condition as you thought but you really don’t want to go through the hassle of making all the repairs. An alternative option is to request a quote for the repairs that you or your REALTOR® feel are necessary then price your home accordingly. Whether you make the repairs or not, the confidence behind your list price will go a long way.
If you choose to have a pre-listing home inspection done, and make any repairs suggested by the report, consider making the report with the repairs completed available to potential buyers. Although their agent will likely recommend that they still have their own inspection done, they (and you) will have peace of mind knowing what to expect. This can also save you days, and possibly weeks, of repairs and further negotiations. In summary, home inspections are always recommended for both buyers and sellers and it’s a great way to prepare your home for the market. Until next week!
Eve Leombruno, 2023 MBOR President
