Keeping it Real (Estate) with Deanna - Should sellers order home inspections?

Should sellers
order home inspections?

 

Recently, I
had a client asked if it would be a good idea to order and pay for a home
inspection before listing his property. He has a great property that he has
regularly maintained.

 

The
advantages of ordering a home inspection as a seller is you know what major
concerns if any are at the property and can have them fixed before listing. You
can also leave your findings for buyers to see as they come through the home as
well as receipts, proving the work has already been done.

 

However,
even though you have a home inspection completed, the buyer is likely to still
have their own. Many buyers are cautious of anything a seller says and will
want their own inspector to come in and do a report.

 

As a buyer
you can ask for major structural, mechanical, and safety issues to be mitigated
as long as that is written in the purchase agreement. Now even though they are major
structural, mechanical, and safety issues, does not mean it would have a hefty
price tag. For example, it could be as simple as adding a railing to a
staircase or adhering tile, which could be looked upon as a trip hazard.  However, all buyers are different, and some
may not ask for the same items as other. 
If you are a proactive seller and fix everything in the report beforehand
you may be fixing things that the buyer for your house might not mind fixing
themselves. Also, you will be out the cost of the home inspection, which is
likely to be $300 or more (often a company determines the amount of the
inspection by the square footage of the home). On a bright note, however, you
aren’t likely to have any hidden surprises.

 

Have a real
estate question? Send it my way. I would love to hear from you.

 

Thanks!

 

Deanna

 

Deanna
Howard, Realtor, SFR, CREN



Iowa Realty

752 10th Street

Marion, Iowa 52302

(319) 929-3836

dhoward@iowarealty.com

www.deannahoward.com

Licensed in the State
of Iowa