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I'm Finally Convinced..... DO PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS!

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Estate One

 We always talk about it and we always present it....The benefit for our Sellers  to have us complete Pre-Listing Inspections on the major components of their home.  

This week we heard the message loud and clear.  We will not just talk about it and present it, we will now present it as..."It's how we do things"

Monday I spent 5 hours attending an inspection after receiving a full price offer on a listing that we have had on the market for nearly a year.  After much time spent locating a man-made tank and a clogged drain pipe at the far edge of the drain field it was apparant the septic system was in complete failure.  Several more hours, and stress for the parties involved, led to an agreement for a $6,000 credit to the buyer from the seller.  Our client would have made different choices had they had information earlier in the game, like at the time of listing the home.

Two days later my partner, Robin, had a septic inspection for a buyer client where they found the septic tank lid was buried under a wide brick paver walkway.  She was forced to spend added time in rescheduling inspectors and further negotiation to rectify the problem.  

Although, we may not be able to change the outcome for our buyers when other listing agents have not had pre-inspections completed, it is our Ninja Mentors that have proven the benefits and savings of dollars and stress for , most importantly, our sellers, and secondly, ourselves.

This weeks experience has SOLD me on the Ninja philosophy..."Do Your Pre-Inspections"  

"The Pearson Group" of Clarkston and Waterford, Michigan

Robert Cramer
Five Star Property Inspections - Belleville, IL

Yep, they are becoming very popular.

Feel free to use this in your marketing efforts, I have lots more if you would like or visit our website for some great marketing ideas on pre-listing inspections  http://www.fivestarpi.com

The advantages of having your home inspected now are many:

  • You can have me, a certified NACHI inspector, do the inspection rather than be at the mercy of the buyer's choice of inspector.
  • You can schedule the inspection with me at your convenience.
  • You can assist me during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer's inspection.
  • You can correct any misstatements in your inspection report before I generate it.
  • The report can help you realistically price your home if problems exist.
  • The report can help you substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't exist or have been corrected.
  • My report will reveal problems ahead of time which:
    • might make your home show better.
    • gives you time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.
    • permits you to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
    • removes over-inflated buyer procured estimates from any future negotiations.
  • My report might alert you to any immediate safety issues found, before agents and visitors tour the home.
  • My report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to your potential buyers.
  • A seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.
  • A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on your part.
  • My report might relieve prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk away from your home.
  • A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
  • My report might encourage your buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
  • Your deal is less likely to fall apart the way they often do when a buyer's inspection unexpectedly reveals a problem, last minute.

I would like the opportunity to speak with you to explain how I can help streamline your real estate sale. And of course I always stand ready to inspect the home you are buying as well.

May 16, 2007 04:11 PM
Lucky Lang
Premiere Plus Realty Marco Island - Marco Island, FL
Marco Island & Naples Florida Real Estate

Robin and Kay,

Great advice and reminders for all of us.

Robert,

I hadn't thought about some of these reasons.  Good stuff!

Thanks,

Lucky :)

May 16, 2007 04:18 PM
Robin Cutler and Kay Pearson, Clarkston, Michigan Real Estate
Real Estate One - Clarkston, MI
Robert,  Thanks very much for the information.  I will check it out and put it to good use.  If it's informative, do you authorize me to post on my personal blog within my website. (work in progress, the new site)  Thanks again.
May 16, 2007 04:32 PM
Robert Cramer
Five Star Property Inspections - Belleville, IL
Yes, and as I said if you woud like more info I would be happy to help, anything for a fellow rainer...Just let me know.  Check out our library too, if any of the info would help, I can sen it to you in a word doc instead of a secured pdf.
May 16, 2007 04:51 PM
Ken Jansen
Prime Development Land CO LLC - Overland Park, KS
REALTOR, CRS, 913.908.2215

Hi Robin and Kay,

I whole-heartedly agree. Pre-inspections are great. I have been doing in on all my listings for the last 1.5 years. It makes a huge difference. I like the fact that the pre-inspection differentiates the house from the competition. Also the seller can price the house knowing what the issues are or choose to fix them, but at least everyone knows the problems up front.

The listing I sold last night was on the market 11 day, facing a 6 month supply of inventory, 5 other houses for sale on that street alone. This house was pre-inspected, offered a 1 year warranty, was staged by Julie cooper www.stagingkansascity.com and had the www.floorplanonline.com virtual tour with a vanity URL pointing to it www.16410w156.com . That combination is pretty powerful  as no other house we were competing with had the same combo.

Thanks! -Ken

May 22, 2007 01:10 AM