Everything You Need To Know About Home Inspections As A Seller
Most people talk about what potential home buyers need to know about home inspections. While it is an important part of their home buying process, there are a few things that every seller should know about home inspections.
You can get your house pre-inspected
If you have an older home and are concerned about what a home inspection will show, have your home pre-inspected. You can simply call a local home inspection company and schedule your own home inspection. Depending on where you live and what company you choose, it will cost a few hundred dollars and a few hours of your time.
You can walk around with the inspector while they examine your home. They will tell you what they are noticing and why it is important. For example, the inspector may comment on an overhanging tree that is causing damage to your roof's shingles. They may state that the tree needs to be trimmed eventually. Your future buyer will be told the same information. if this concerns you and you have the time, you can trim the tree in advance of putting your home on the market. The home inspector will give you a detailed report so you will have a list of everything they noticed in writing.
If a major issue comes up during the inspection that you were unaware of, talk to your listing agent about your options.
Don't try to hide anything from the inspector
A home inspector is looking for anything that could cause major repair issues, like the foundation, roof, or mechanical systems. It is not their intention to point out every minuscule flaw. No house is ever perfect.
That said, do not try to hide anything from the home inspector. A fresh coat of paint underneath a leaky faucet, for example, is a telltale sign that the faucet has repair issues and the area may have mold.
A home inspection is the buyer's private time in your house
You are not required to be present during the inspection. In fact, you should consider the home inspection to be the potential buyer's private time in your home. They will be accompanied by their real estate agent, the home inspector, and possibly even a trusted family that is familiar with home repairs. They should be allowed to talk freely about the condition of your house, necessary repairs, and options for future updates without worrying about you listening. Home inspections take several hours, depending on the square footage of your home. Make plans so you can give the buyer's team plenty of space.
As the seller, the home inspection is just as much a concern of yours as it is of the buyer. Talk to your real estate agent or a local home inspection company today to address your concerns.
