Special offer

SELLERS...Look Before You List!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

blindfolded over poolMore often than not, when buyers make an offer on a property, they include a home inspection contingency in the purchase and sale documents.  (I recommend all buyers do this...for any property they are considering!) This allows them to have a professional look over the house to make sure that there are no hidden defects or damage that could affect the integrity or value of the property. It's quite likely that you had one performed before you bought the house you are going to be selling.

When there is a lot of inventory (aka: competition) on the market, buyers can afford to have high expectations, and problems that come to light as a result of a home inspection can result in unexpected repair bills, price reductions or even withdrawn offers!

One way to avoid these pitfalls is to hire a home inspector to look over your house before you go on the market.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Inspector with magnifying glass

This proactive approach can uncover issues that you can address yourself, without the added pressure of renegotiating contracts. Additionally, it keeps you in control of repair costs and allows you to choose who will make the repairs. Furthermore, by making the necessary repairs before going on the market, you improve the value of the product you are selling.

While the cost of a home inspection can vary (usually somewhere in the $250-$500 range) chances are it will pale in comparison to a price reduction that can result from a buyer learning of problems during their inspection contingency period. And by addressing any problems in advance, you greatly reduce the chance of any surprises turning up. Also, you have the option of having your report available for buyers to review, along with documentation that outlines any repairs made or remedies taken, to help further convince the buyers that they have chosen wisely!

Why gamble? If the thought of a buyer's home inspection results has you losing sleep, consider the proactive approach!

                                                                                                                                

The devil you know is better than the devil you don't!

 Sleeping Smiley with Teddy

 

Posted by

 

******************************************************************************

Keene NH Real Estate on Facebook  Follow Kim Brown on Twitter  Connect on LinkedIn

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown 

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

            

Comments (5)

Linda Sticklin
Home Staging & Organizing - Berwyn, PA
Good advice. Sellers might consider consulting a staging professional before listing as well. Most sellers cannot objectively evaluate their home in order to market it to sell. Spending a few hundred dollars could be worth the result of a quicker and more profitable sale.
Jan 12, 2008 04:38 AM
Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Linda--

I couldn't agree more! As a former owner of an interior redesign and staging business, I know first-hand the remarkable difference staging can make--you won't find a bigger proponent than me!  A seller who is committed to doing all they can to present the best possible product to buyers puts themself ahead of the pack from the get-go!  They say the best defense is a good offense--what better way to "step into the ring" than to be in tip-top shape and looking great before the "for sale" sign goes up!  Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment--

Kim

Jan 12, 2008 07:52 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Kim

You have done a very fine job writing a post

with very good advice to folks.

I will never understand why folks can not realize their home may not be perfect.

Even if the house was well built and was maintained, it could have a few items

in less than perfect condition.

When even in a newly builted home, it's not uncommon to find and identify minor defects.

Have a good one

Dale

Feb 11, 2008 12:46 AM
Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Thanks for stopping by, Dale!  I think it's important to be proactive.  No house is perfect, and things that come up at inspection may be minor, but it's important to be informed.  (Knowledge is Power, right?)  This is one more way that sellers can take action before going on the market to ensure that they are putting their "best foot forward".  Address issues concerning the house, stage as appropriate, and hire a REALTOR who is committed to doing everything in their power to get it seen by the right buyers!

Stay warm today!  I think with the wind chill it's about eleventy-seven degrees below zero this morning!  BRRR!!!

Feb 11, 2008 01:20 AM
Crystal Pina
Ware, MA
Keller Williams Realty

The devil you know is better than the devil you don't!

OMG, Kim! I say the same thing. I thought I was the only one.

I so agree about the home inspection. Inspectors are trained to see things we don't. I remember one home had evidence of treatment for ants. The home inspector told the buyer to make sure he spent $100 each year getting the home treated or they would become a problem. It wasn't a current problem so it wasn't disclosed. And it wasn't a huge enough problem to stop the sale. But it was good information that the new owner should know to prevent problems in the future.

Sometimes a home inspection picks up good information that you didn't know. My own home needed tons of work which is why the price was so low. My home inspector told us that my house was so well built that after we did the work, this house would be here long after we were gone. Knowing that this is a strongly built house was a big factor in us choosing to purchase this house.

Mar 02, 2008 10:42 AM