When I work with clients on preparing a home for sale, I always recommend pre-listing inspections because they can positively impact a home seller’s experience, both in terms of dollars and stress. This continues to be important in helping attract top dollar in the current market even for homes in the most popular areas of Lafayette where multiple bids are expected.
These inspections are the same kinds of inspections home buyers use. I even recommend the same inspectors regardless of whether my clients are the Sellers or Buyers because, in each case, the goal is gathering the most trusted advice.
Are you planning to sell your home in 2013? Here are the top five things you can gain from those pre-listing inspections:
1. Perspective: Inspections are a perfect opportunity for you to better understand the real condition of your home – and your home’s potential attractiveness to buyers.
2. Fix-it list focus: Inspection reports are a great first step in creating your to-do list for necessary repairs and decisions as to how best to present your home. Before you list your home, it’s easier to manage the budget, choice of contractor and work flow timing of these fixes.
3. Information critical for accurate pricing: Not all homes in the same neighborhood are created equal, even if they have the same square footage, lot size and grade. Condition of your property is another key factor in identifying and pricing against market comparables. The more information you know, the better.
In 2012, properties I listed sold, on average, at 101% of list price. This successful pricing record is due, in part, to the depth of information I had on not only evolving market nuances but also about the condition of each listed property compared to other houses on the market and those recently sold.
4. Reduced stress through better communication: All home purchase contracts are written “as-is.” As-is simply means in its known condition.
No one likes surprises, least of all a Buyer in the final days leading up to closing. When a Seller can convey the condition of their home properly upfront to a Buyer, including issues that exist that the Seller does not intend to fix, it alleviates a lot of stress for both parties and typically ensures a much smoother escrow. To that end, we often include pre-listing inspection reports as part of a home’s “disclosure” packet.
5. An informed negotiating position. Even when you’ve shared your Seller inspection reports, you can expect the Buyer will commit to buy your property at a specified price subject to their own inspections. Inspector opinions and observations can differ. When that happens, it is useful to be able to negotiate any concessions based on knowledge already gained from your own expert’s opinion.
What does all this mean for you as you make plans to sell your home in 2013?
In today’s market, it’s not uncommon to see Sellers seeking home, pest, roof, chimney and sewer lateral inspections. Pool and engineering inspections may be warranted, too. What you’ll need, though, is specific to your property.
Let’s talk about which inspections make sense and who are the best inspectors to hire. You can reach me directly at 925.339.1918 or Dana@DanaGreenTeam.com