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Three Reasons To Get A Pre-Listing Inspection Before Selling Your Home

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Stars TX #0552717

Are you getting your home ready to sell? Here are some suggestions I make to my clients when they are about to put their house on the market:

  • Consult a stager
  • Get a home warranty with seller's coverage
  • Call a licensed inspector for a pre-listing inspectionPre-list inspection & repairs

Sellers often prefer to let the buyer's inspector perform the due diligence of checking on the major systems of the home. There are, however, benefits to the seller discovering any issues before they become known to the buyer.

  •  The seller can choose to remedy some or all of the issues discovered. 

There may be items you or a handyman can tackle before the house goes on the market. Once the buyer's inspector notes the same flaws, the buyers may ask that a licensed electrician, licensed plumber, or other more expensive professional  repair the issues. If it's an easy, low-cost fix, why not go ahead and get it crossed off the list?

  • The seller becomes the most knowledgeable person as to the condition of the home.

Problems that arise during the pre-list inspection that are not repaired must be disclosed to a buyer. Disclosing known problems can be seen as less problematic than the buyers finding problems during their own inspections. Undisclosed flaws can create costly perceptions of huge repair bills. Buyers may think, "If the sellers don't know about this, what else don't they know about?"

  • The seller gains leverage in negotiating.

Knowing ahead of time what might become impediments to the sale of the home allows the seller to get repair estimates, even if the homeowner has no plans to have the repairs done. Buyers can overestimate the costs of repairs by a factor of three (or more).  Having estimates to provide to the buyer can facilitate the process and save you money if you choose to reduce the price of the home rather than make the repairs.

 

Don't defer the home inspection process to buyers. The consequences of discovery of previously unknown problems can harm your bottom line.

Posted by

Lorrie Semler, REALTOR
HomeSmart Stars

Serving your residential real estate needs in Dallas, TX and all the surrounding suburbs


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Comments (8)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Lorrie- it seems to make sense.  At least a seller will be aware of items that will have to be addressed.  Who wants surprises!

Feb 28, 2015 05:33 AM
Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417
HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

Kathy Streib You're right. No one likes those kind of surprises.

Feb 28, 2015 05:40 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

With a pre-listing home inspection and repairs made, the home should qualify for top dollar. 

Feb 28, 2015 07:10 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

A pre-listing inspection is worthwhile however, you know the buyers are still going to ask for some repairs. At least with a pre-listing inspection you can choose to make some of the bigger fixes in advance. 

Feb 28, 2015 07:42 AM
Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417
HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

Lenn Harley - Absolutely. Some buyers look for updated homes, some for homes in solid, great condition; some both.

Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert - Buyers should still hire their own inspectors, even if the seller has a pre-listing inspection done. If repairs have been made, the buyer's inspector can check what was done.

Mar 01, 2015 05:36 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

I am definitely a fan of pre-listing inspections.  It helps the Seller to be in the driver's seat during negotiations.

Mar 01, 2015 04:06 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Lorrie - these are very wise suggestions.  You presented a compelling reason for getting a seller's home inspection.

Mar 03, 2015 04:17 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I enjoyed your informative post, glad I came across it in the archives.

Mar 10, 2016 09:49 AM