·        INSPECTIONS FOR YOUR HOUSE

 

Your house should be professionally inspected before you actively place it on the market.  This way you will know if any repairs will be necessary prior to close of escrow.  This can save you time and money in the marketing of your property.

 

Some inspections your agent should discuss with you include:

 

  •      Contractor's inspection (If applicable)
  •      Pest Control inspection
  •      Roof report
  •      Septic inspection (if applicable)
  •      Well inspection (if applicable)
  •      Environmental Hazards report
  •      Earthquake report
  •      Soils report
  •      Pool and Spa (if applicable)
  •      Pre-Home Inspection
  •      Electrical & Plumbing
  •          Others (as applicable)

 

Inspecting your house first will cost you money up-front but will usually save you much more money in the long-run.  For instance, if a buyer has the house inspected and finds that repairs are needed they may cancel their Purchase Agreement.  Several weeks have probably passed by this time since the house was placed on the market and most interested buyers have moved on to other properties.  As with the overpriced house, now it has become "stale" on the market and the only offers you will probably receive will be low ones.

 

Also, by discovering that work is needed on the property early it allows you the luxury of shopping for contractors and other professionals to do the work at the best price.  You, the homeowner, may even be able to do some or all of the repair work yourself saving more money.

 

Finally, by having the property inspected and disclosing these reports before a buyer makes their offer it reduces the chance of buyers' remorse.  If the buyer discovers problems after the Purchase Agreement has been signed it creates an atmosphere of mistrust between buyer and seller.

 

The buyer may be willing to reimburse all or some of the inspections since it benefits them in the purchase of the house.  At any rate, conducting your inspections before actively marketing the property is a very worthwhile investment for a serious seller.

 

Inspections and potential repairs are the number one reason, onther than not qualifing for the loan, sales don't close.  Typically, buyers have a certain number of days in which to inspect the property and accept or reject the property based upon these mechanical and structural inspections.