Instead of getting shocked with all the details the buyers home inspector finds about your home why not take few steps before listing you home to avoid a feeling of threat that all buyer wants is more money out of your bottom line. So savvy home seller from Northern Virginia here are 5 simple inspection to avoid headaches later:
1. Pest Inspection- You want to give curb appeal to your home. Adding that mulch is great but depending on the source you get the mulch from it can attract termites. Why not hire a local pest company who can inspect the home ahead of the time for any sign of insect or pest issues.
2. HOA Violation: In Northern Virginia, buyer has a right to receive Home owner Disclosure package. To obtain this package your HOA may come out to your home for visual inspection of the property. If you are on any standing violation by-laws you have to correct it unless your buyer is willing to inherit that violation. For example you have not painted your exterior is ages it is now a good time to walk around your home and take care of any issues that may come up on HOA violation list. Another option would be to contact your HOA and ask them if they can conduct a visual inspection. Some may charge you small fee. Won't it be great for a buyer to receive a package that says "No Violations!"
3. Interior Inspection: Many of us a long time home owner have over looked issues we have seen daily in our home. Now it is time to get a contractor to come out and repair all the items that were on your to-do list for a while. I have recommend in some cases have my home owner inspect the home by a professional home inspector. If any major issues we can either disclose upfront or adjust the value to reflect the work needed.
4. Don't just get Carpet cleaned- I have few home owners who are all thrilled about getting carpet cleaned but forgot loose and wrinkled carpet can be a trip hazard. Get your carpet company to stretch the carpets.
5. Vents- Have you looked at your intake vents? Do they have a collection of dirty or webs. Remove and clean the vents. Change the filters if necessary.
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR
Each time I tour a home I see things that are very clearly in need of attention. Then it comes up in the inspection report and the sellers and listing agents seem surprised.
May 05, 2012 03:47 AM
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale
I am a fan of pre-listing inspections and that is not the agenda for the seller - so the first strike for me from sellers, Ritu.
These inspections are very essential but I am afraid to ask the sellers....
May 05, 2012 04:02 AM
My Florida Home Store - Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor Real Estate Exper
Intake vents are always overlooked and a home inspector will bring that up if they are dirty...a/c isn't cheap and if it looks like the seller has not taken care of the system, the buyer wonders about the rest of the house.
May 05, 2012 04:08 AM
Fairway Independent Mortgage, DBO/CRMLA #41DBO-78367, NMLS #2289 - Rancho Bernardo, CA
FHA, VA, USDA, Loan Officer and Educator
Ritu
watch for exposed gas pipes and low trhesh holds when it come sto VA.
May 05, 2012 04:23 AM
ERA Strother Real Estate - Fayetteville, NC
Your suggestions are probably applicable not only in Northern VA but just about anywhere. Your comments about HOA violations gave me something to think about and make sure that that my seller clients are in compliance. I can’t see too many buyers willing to inherit violations that may cost them money down the road to correct.
May 05, 2012 06:29 AM
Keller Williams Miami Beach Realty - Miami Beach, FL
CDPE Miami Short Sale Agent 305-520-9436
Those are great reminders Ritu. There are so many little hurdles to clear to make it all the way to the closing table, and being well prepared can really help reduce the stress involved and save time.
May 05, 2012 07:26 AM
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON
I would think it would be a great practice to be proactive about the inspection. Do those little things like you mentioned to have the property present itself with its best foot forward.
May 05, 2012 07:35 AM
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease
Ritu,
Great simple and smart list. I really like #5 as a lot of folks skip this one. Just showed a home two weeks ago with DISGUSTING vents that needed to be cleaned. Better to do that work BEFORE you put the home on the market.
All the best, Michelle
May 05, 2012 07:57 AM
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC
Ritu,
That is all great advice. Here in Washington State the majority of the Home Inspectors are Pest Inspectors also. The home owner can get both done at the same time here.
Pre-listing inspection can be tough on the seller, we all have a personal attachment to our homes. Preparing everyone for the process is such a great way to deal with it.
Like you said no surprises.
When I do an inspection for a seller I awlays tell them I will inspect it as if I was inspecting for the buyer. That way you see what they would see. No home is perfect and if everyone is honest then it is best for all parties.
May 05, 2012 08:47 AM
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Ritu, GREAT list you have compiled to prepare your home for the market. I like #3 especially as getting repairs done before listing is smart! If not, they will be on the inspection notice!
May 05, 2012 09:37 AM
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Magaret raising a lot of good points. I would add even if on public sewer, recommend a sewer line inspection for homes that are older.
May 05, 2012 12:53 PM
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist
Great post Ritu! I see dirty vents all the time, so that would be number one on my list!
May 05, 2012 01:06 PM
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Also make sure the septic has been serviced, and if there is a well the water is tested. Great advice for sellers.
May 05, 2012 01:54 PM
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA
Ritu:
A property inspection is a very good inspection to get prior to putting the house on the market, along with a pest inspection, and in my city, a sewer lateral test.
May 05, 2012 02:16 PM
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
Ritu - Good suggestions, many of which get forgotten when a home is put up for sale.
May 05, 2012 04:01 PM
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
Thank you all for supporting and reading this blog.
@Margeret, I agree Chimney Inspection would be also very important especially if the family never used it.
@Carol, So true. I have walked in to the home and made my mental list of homes that the seller has ignore and comes up on our home inspection report. Since we are not home inspection I inform my buyers who are more mentally prepared for the items than the sellers.
@Bill HOA violations are such a big deal in our area that I typically want my sellers to get a pre-inspection from their HOA. It saves lot of anxiety especially with first time home buyers who have no clue how HOA works.
@Valerie, I personally feel if the carpets are not stretch it makes the house look poor maintenance on the sellers part. For few hundred dollars you may be jeopardizing your home sale.
May 05, 2012 10:20 PM
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519
Ritu, love the carpet strretching comments. It's one of the things that makes a room "ugly" whether it actually is or not.
May 06, 2012 01:35 AM
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.
The things you live with (carpet hump!) are not the things you sell with! Nice post with good ideas for sellers.
May 06, 2012 11:20 PM
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®
I am all for pre inspections at the time of the listing. We do not see them very often, but I think it is a GREAT idea, becuase it prepares the seller for possible additional costs BEFORE they negotiate on the price.
May 07, 2012 01:19 AM
Sears Services Resendentiels - Laval, QC
|
Nice! Interesting detail that I have been looking for on the Internet and that I found in your post. You made my day ;-) |
May 20, 2012 03:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,029,828
1,029,828
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
Comments(36)