Advantages of Pre-Inspected Listings
Home inspections have traditionally been for the benefit of the purchaser. A pre-inspected listing benefits buyers and sellers.
If the home inspection is performed prior to the house being listed, all parties will be aware of the physical condition of the house before an offer is made. There will be fewer surprises after the fact. Fewer deals will fall through. Listings sell quicker.
Seller’s Peace of Mind
- Pre-inspected listings avoid re-negotiation. If all parties know the condition of the house prior to the offer, there is no need for renegotiation. A seller who pays for a home inspection will be further ahead than one who has to renegotiate.
- A pre-inspected listing allows the seller to repair the problem prior to listing. If the inspection occurs after the purchase agreement, the buyer could walk, renegotiate or the seller may have an option to repair. If the deal falls through, the seller will have to disclose any known material defects showing up on the inspection to the next buyer anyway.
Buyer’s Peace of Mind
- There is no doubt that part of the value of a home inspection is a guided tour of the house for the prospective buyer. The inspection company can return to do a walk-through with the purchaser, if requested.
- Pre-inspected listings will only have value if the home inspection company is perceived to be reputable, qualified and properly insured. A good way to ensure a quality inspection is to hire a licensed and trained home inspector. Two associations to look for when hiring a home inspector are: ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. Prospective buyers will have little or no faith in a report done by someone they perceive to be acting in the seller’s best interest.