Home Inspections

Are home inspections different for the seller?

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, one vitally important thing that you need to have done is a home inspection. Most often, when you think of home inspections, you think they are something that a buyer does before making that big purchase. Inspections are done so that the individual is aware of the current condition of the property. In most cases, it can either make or break the deal. A buyer has one done so that they can be assured that they are making a sound financial decision. Nothing is worse than spending a lot of money on a home only to have it turn into a money pit due to hidden, unseen problems.

A seller finds it is in their best interest to have a home inspection done prior to putting their home on the market. This way, they are alerted to the problems that exist and have an opportunity to make all necessary repairs before the buyer has their inspection done. By doing this, the actual purchase process is not held up by re-negotiations and by the problem of getting the repairs done before closing.

Since it is important for both parties to get a home inspection done, it makes you wonder what the difference between a buyer home inspection and a seller home inspection is. Well, that answer is nothing. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you receive the same inspection. Both inspections cover the same areas of concern such as the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, crawlspaces, attics, doors and windows and are handled in the same manner. They both offer a written report that details all their findings, both good and bad. Actually, the inspector really doesn't need to know if the home inspection is for the seller or the buyer.

As a seller, the home inspection is a way to avoid having to make hasty decisions right before the sale is completed. It allows you the chance to determine how you want to handle the problems-either making the repairs or disclosing them and then pricing the home accordingly. By using the buyers home inspection only, you find out about the repairs too late in the process. In most cases, your only options would be to get them fixed as they were not disclosed in the contract or not do them and take a big price cut to account for the cost of the repair. Either way, it is not a pleasant or appealing situation in which to find yourself.

So, before placing your home on the real estate market, take the time to get a pre-listing home inspection done. This way, as a seller, you are informed of the actual condition of your property and have the chance make the needed corrections before the buyer has their inspection done and it also eliminates the possibility of surprise problems. This has the potential to save you a substantial amount of money in repair costs and also allows you to price your home correctly.