Home Inspections

A home inspection is a standard prerequisite for buying a home in many areas, especially in a rural area like Rolla, Missouri. Most buyers understanding a home inspection's value, and use their inspection as a last bargaining chip before closing on their home. For a seller, knowing the importance buyers place in a home inspection is half the battle. The other half is knowing how to prepare your home - and your emotions - for the inspection.

Few homeowners jump up and down at the thought of a complete stranger picking out flaws in their home, their most prized possession. A home inspector's job is to come in with a long checklist of issues to look for in any home, and whatever minor or major problems they find are submitted to the buyer. The ball is then in the buyer's court - the buyer decides whether or not they will ask you to fix certain problem areas before they will continue with the purchase of your home.

Rule #1: Beat them to the punch by inspecting first

Ordering your own home inspection is a proactive step that contributes a great deal to a positive inspection. Before listing your home, hire a local inspector yourself, and remain open to the problem areas they point out. For the most helpful feedback, ask your Realtor for the name of a very thorough inspector.

The benefits of completing a home inspection before listing your home are twofold: Number one, any significant problems can be dealt with before you are at the negotiating table. Regardless of who purchases your home, major issues - like a leaking roof or a rusted-out hot water heater - will need to be addressed. If you were unaware of these issues, it's at least best to know about them upfront so that you aren't blind-sided by a major repair bill. This way, you can decide if you want to order a repair before listing your home, rather than 20 days into a contract when your home has been effectively "off the market" and you have to be out in 10 days. You should also disclose this information to a potential buyer, either that it is a known issue you prefer that they deal with or that it has been recently repaired.

Second, knowing about these issues up front will make your home one step closer to move-in ready. Buyers become uncomfortable after too many surprises, and you want to avoid any situation that would cause your buyer to jump ship because of unforeseen problems. When you inspect your home first, you and the buyer are both more prepared to deal with any issues that may arise, so everyone wins.

Rule #2: Keep your reaction in check

When you are trying to sell your home, avoid overreacting to the problems an inspector finds with your home. No matter how long you have lived in your home, there are likely issues you have overlooked that didn't exist when you first moved in. Just because you haven't had any problems because you didn't add a vapor barrier in your crawl space, that doesn't mean it won't be an issue for your potential buyer. If your buyer finds the issue important, then it should be important to you as well.

Since you have bought a home at some point (and may be searching for another right now), put yourself in the buyer's shoes. You don't want to invest your time and energy worrying about major problems right after you invest all of your money in a new home - you want to maximize your investment from the start. Your buyer's lender may even require certain improvements before they will provide financing. No matter what the reason, if your goal is to sell your home, avoid letting personal biases get in the way of your reaction to the home inspection.

Rule #3: You have the right to refuse any inspection request

The bottom line is that you have the final word in what does or does not happen to your home as long as you are the legal owner. Make an educated decision on what might be involved to resolve the issue, and make sure you understand what you might be getting yourself into whether you accept or reject the inspection notice. Feel free to contact the home inspector or a contractor so that you have all the facts you need regarding the current issue. That way, you won't feel bullied into making a decision you might regret. Knowledge really is power!

Overall, coming out on top in the home inspection category is not as grueling as some people believe. If you choose to inspect before you list your home, you will be prepared for any issues that might arise and more likely to keep your emotions in check. Understanding what is involved in any repair is just good business; this will help you make informed decisions. Managing these three things effectively will not only ensure that you survive your home inspection, but hopefully the sale of your home will be a smoother process thanks to your foresight.