WHY GET A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION?

Listing agents often advise sellers to have their home inspected before putting it on the market; this is known as a “pre-listing” inspection. But why should a seller pay for the expense of a home inspection when any smart buyer is probably going to hire their own inspector anyway? Preparation is the keyword here, “forewarned is forearmed”. A pre-listing inspection can reveal conditions that the seller may not know exist. Most people have never climbed on their roof, explored their attic, dragged themselves through their crawl space or opened their electric panel. These areas are the “guts” of a home and problems found in these areas can “kill a deal”. By doing a pre-listing an inspection a seller can learn the true condition of their home from an objective observer. Using the pre-listing inspection and without the pressure of a pending sell, the seller working with his/her listing agent can develop a strategy that will ensure the house will be sold quickly and smoothly.

One strategy is to correct the deficiencies revealed in the pre-listing inspection bringing the home to “top-notch” condition and top of the market pricing. Once the repairs have been made, the home can be re-inspected and a new report issued. The original report revealing the deficiencies and the new report verifying the repairs can then be used to market the home.

Another strategy is simply to disclose the report, do no repairs and sell the home “as-is”. In this way a potential buyer is not surprised when they have the home inspected; they know up front the condition of the house. This strategy can prevent a sell from being “torpedoed” by an inspection. It can also help the seller command a higher price for the home by dealing with objections openly and at the beginning of the sales process rather than at the end.

In conclusion, although a pre-listing inspection may seem like another extra expense; a pre-listing inspection can help a seller preserve their price and not lose thousands in negotiated repairs for their house regardless of its condition.

by Russell Spornberger

Russell is the founder of Due Diligence Home Inspections. Over the past eight years he has inspected over 2500 homes in the Atlanta area. He is certified by the International Code Council, the American Society of Home Inspectors and the Georgia Association of Home Inspectors.

Copyright 2009 Russell Spornberger