I covered this recently, but there was one other thing I neglected to mention... 

If you are getting ready to put your home on the market... or you WILL be doing so in the near future, it might not be a bad idea to get a "Pre-Listing Inspection." 

Yep.  It is the same inspection your buyer would get when your house goes under contract.  However, the advantage of getting this done before listing the house is that you will have the opportunity to correct any deficiencies.  In addition, you can show the report, and then show that all of the deficiencies have been corrected.  

There are a couple of bonuses here.  

  • There isn't that wondering during the inspection as to whether the inspector will find something.
  • Pricing can be more accurate to reflect any known issues.
  • Seller's Disclosure will be more complete. 

Oddly, some listing agents not only don't advise their sellers to do this, but counsel their sellers not to be present during an inspection.  They will also choose to not be present during an inspection.  There is only one reason for this, and it isn't a good one...

They want to be able to deny anything found during the inspection.

Sorry, but I think that is very short-sighted.  With the litigiousness of some people in the world.  Showing that you have made a good faith effort to find any deficiencies with your property, and correct them prior to selling tells a judge that you are operating with integrity. 

Think about it for a moment.  Does sticking one's head in the sand make the problem go away?  Would you rather buy from a seller and agent that have taken the extra step of getting an inspection and fixing everything it turned up, or from a seller and agent that doesn't want to hear about anything they don't already know... for plausible deniability?  

There is a lot of competition in the market for the buyers to peruse.  Going the extra mile and presenting YOUR property as the one that is most attractive, and will be trouble free may be the difference between a sale and an expired listing.  

When you are ready to talk to an agent that is ready for the extra mile... call me.   

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6 Comments on Into the mailbag V, part II... What else should we do?

MAR
01
2008
168,226 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router
Lane, What a great recommendation!  In this market where competition for buyers is fierce, having a pre-listing inspection is a great way to resolve issues before they every become them... 
6:34pm • #1
596,310 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Debbie - That is the big point.  I love going in to the inspection knowing that it will be smooth and that things won't fall apart because of some silly solvable problem.  car
10:30pm • #2
100,154 Points 1 Featured Post
Lane - I suggest a pre-listing inspection, too.  Sometimes sellers listen to me, other times they balk!  Oh well....  I try.
11:56pm • #3
MAR
02
2008
596,310 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Nancy - You should lay out a for/against case.  Maybe work on a discount from an inspector, too.
9:19am • #4
MAR
09
2008
4 Featured Posts

I always recommend these, rarely am I taken up on the suggestion. I especially push the idea on older homes and homes that don't look like they have been maintained well.

Case in point, I suggested one of these to the heirs of an estate. Flat out "No", at inspection the roof turned up with damage, $4500 expense, GFI outlets not working properly in kitchen, exposed wires needed conduit in garage, evidence of rodents in the attic -- two weeks to closing so everything had to be contracted out in addition to packing up the house. If the inspection had been done prior the heirs could have 1) had time to do a little comparison shopping on contractors 2) adjusted their price 3) had a little breathing room and not feel so pinched.

10:19am • #5
596,310 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
JoEllen - I think the biggest thing is the "surprise factor".  I don't want a seller surprised after the inspection. 
4:05pm • #6

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Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy

Lilburn, GA

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Diamond Dwellings Realty

Address: 2078 Teron Trace, Suite 250, Dacula, GA, 30019

Office Phone: (678) 279-4708

Cell Phone: (678) 200-5895

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