Selling your home is a major decision. Many home sellers have a long to-do list, and a step that’s often overlooked is ordering a home inspection before listing. There are many benefits of a pre-listing home inspection to help sellers move smoothly through the process of selling their home.
Instill Confidence in Hesitant Buyers
Some buyers may be wary about purchasing a previously lived-in home. One of the benefits of a pre-listing inspection is the comfort it brings to hesitant buyers. When the home has an inspection report showing no major issues, the buyer will be more comfortable making an offer.
Learn About Areas That Need Attention
If you are under the impression that your home is ready to sell, a pre-listing inspection will either confirm it or alert you to issues. It’s good to know if there’s a problem in advance since issues can turn into big financial losses in a real estate transaction. The benefits of a pre-listing inspection include a chance to find those problem areas before the buyer does and fix them or adjust your list price accordingly.
Extra Time to Fix Issues
If an inspection uncovers an issue before you have listed the home, you can fix it on your own terms. If the issue is discovered after the buyer’s inspection, the buyer dictates how the repairs are made. There is also a time crunch to make repairs before the closing date and emergency repairs always cost more money. When your home has an issue, hold off on listing it until you have completed repairs. Then you can order another pre-listing inspection to show a clean inspection report.
A Pre-Listing Home Inspection Curbs Negotiations
Most buyers will negotiate the price or ask for repairs if there’s a leaky roof or malfunctioning electrical system. Fixing these areas before buyers enter the door will curb the negotiation process. You can stand behind the asking price when you are confident about the house’s condition.
Price the Home Accurately
A pre-listing home inspection also helps your real estate agent. He or she can price the property as accurately as possible when the condition is known. It’s difficult to guess an accurate price when there are hidden issues around the home, such as a faulty plumbing system or failing roof.
A Pre-Listing Home Inspection Gives the Home an Advantage
U.S. News & World Report points out that a pre-listing home inspection gives the property an advantage. Buyers walk into the property with verified information about its condition. There are no worries about worn-down systems and hidden surprises. Although most houses go through an inspection before transferring owners, a pre-listing inspection shows that the sellers are proactive about the property’s care. Buyers might choose your home over another based on the pre-listing inspection report.
No home is perfect. There will always be some minor items to address, so your goal should be to eliminate any major issues. Use your inspection report to get your home in optimal condition before buyers take a tour and a higher return might be in your future.
Reliable Real Estate Inspections provides inspections for home sellers and home buyers. Contact us to schedule our services in Hilton Head and the surrounding area.