Over the years I have developed thick skin. I have been called a lot of names; some good, some bad. We inspectors are known far and wide as deal killers. I just don't see it that way.
I have never killed a deal. Period. I have seen a lot of offers withdrawn as a result of my inspection, but that's just me doing my job. But I wasn't the killer, just the messenger. The real deal killer is a poorly built or maintained home. And that's something that can easily avoided.
It seems a shame to sabotage a sale but it happens every day. I could talk for days about the improper conditions I see during inspections. The sad thing is that most of these conditions could be fixed before the inspection, usually for little money. Sounds simple to me.
Listings should be prepared prior to the home inspection. The effort is minimal and the results can be huge. When I get into the basement you know I'll want to see the furnace, water heater and electric panel, yet often they are buried behind a mountain of boxes. I don't want to move these things and neither do you. How about attic access. When the only access is in a hatch or scuttle in the closet ceiling, why not ask your seller to move their clothing out. Again, I won't move it and you don't want to. When I encounter multiple impediments to my work my immediate response is “what are they trying to hide?”
Does this sound familiar? Would you like to help eliminate this? Give me a call. I'll be happy to stop by your office and talk for 10 minutes about how to prepare your listing for a successful home inspection. Not in my area? Ask your favorite home inspector for some tips or advice. They'll be glad to help you out. It's what we do!
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