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Answers (19)
- Joanne Gillet, "jjgillet"
- Contributions:60
I have encouraged pre home inspections for clients in the past. Most often the buyers do not trust that inspection and they have their own inspector anyway. I just had a closing that only had the FHA do a quick inspection. We could have driven ourselves crazy trying to fix the little stuff and this buyer was more concerned with getting a good price and this home was a deal. Each home inspector finds different defects, some won't find much at all. Others find everything. It all boils down to weighing everything out. The home, the owner, the time frame, and of course the price of the home. If the seller wants to move quick, get top dollar and no hassles then have that inspection!
- Angie Boggeman, "angie boggeman"
- Contributions:469
There are 2 schools of thought. Getting a pre-listing inspection can definitely let you know ahead of time issues that need to be addressed or that will be brought up later. If you fix them ahead of time you should have less negotiations requested. However, different inspectors find different things sometimes and you might still be hit with other issues after your buyers inspection.
- Rosana Shekman, Broker ABR, "Rosana Shekman Owner"
- Contributions:700
Its good to know what needs to be fixed or replaced but buyer might accept property in as is condition.
- Kathryn Acciari, Realtor, "KathrynAcciari"
- Contributions:49
When the sellers hire their own inspector, it reduces the number of "unknowns." Unknown surprises, unknown defects, unknown problems. I recommend that sellers have a home inspection prior to placing a home on the market. How can you possibly negotiate an offer if you don't know about issues that may later cause a buyer to withdraw from the deal? Get an inspection, get the house in tip-top shape, and your home sale with go much more smoothly.
- Shannon Aronson, "Shannon Aronson"
- Contributions:128
Every home inspector has key issues that they look closely at, but the reality is that two inspections of the same home can uncover different things that need attention and a preinspection cannot guarantee that there will not be issues when a buyer has their own Home Inspection.
- Sherry Griffin, "Ask Sherry!"
- Contributions:20
Preinspections offer an additional level of assurance to both the Buyer and the Seller. I have found my Sellers to be anxious to give their home an advantage in the market. Two things are accomplished with preinspections - the seller is prepared for the process when a buyer orders their own inspection and any repairs which should be made can be taken care of by the seller during the marketing process. Pro-Active Sellers encourage buyers and agents to feel secure in their selection process.
- Sergio Hernandez, "Sergio Hernandez"
- Contributions:619
Not all homes should have a pre home inspection prior to listing, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which, is that the buyer will want his/her own inspections.
- Charlottesville Real Estate, "Charles McDonald"
- Contributions:230
One word......Absolutely!
- Rushel Reed, "Rushel Reed"
- Contributions:308
Sure, a seller saves money by NOT having a home inspected. However, when a buyer becomes serious about a home, they want to know that they are purchasing from a proactive, responsible seller. If a seller has a home inspection waiting for potential buyers to view, it makes that buyer feel secure - and goes a long way in gaining trust.
In today's unpredictable market, a seller needs to do all they can to keep a buyer around. Information and integrity (in an agent) have become two of the most important things that buyers (and sellers) look for when shopping for a home. If the seller has more information ready, the buyer is more likely to submit an offer.
A professional home inspection will also get more information about the property on the table for both buyers and agents. Ultimately, it's up to the seller, but in the interest of full disclosure, it's best to have all the information possible available to each party to a transaction.
In today's unpredictable market, a seller needs to do all they can to keep a buyer around. Information and integrity (in an agent) have become two of the most important things that buyers (and sellers) look for when shopping for a home. If the seller has more information ready, the buyer is more likely to submit an offer.
A professional home inspection will also get more information about the property on the table for both buyers and agents. Ultimately, it's up to the seller, but in the interest of full disclosure, it's best to have all the information possible available to each party to a transaction.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
I noticed that almost all of the realtors say a preinspection is a bad thing. It costs to much. The best time is when the buyer is wasting their money finding out what the problems are.
Did anyone think about the buyers who do not want to waste $500 for an inspection only to find out about all of the problems a house has that could have been shown before wasting the time and money to look at that house?
If I make an offer and the inspection shows $50k worth of repairs I am taking off at least $75k. First, often estimates are low. You have to have a cushion. Second, it is a hassle for me and I expect to be compensated for an unforeseen problem (for me) that the seller almost certainly knew about before putting the house for sale.
Did any selling realtor consider their oath to protect the public which strongly suggests having a preinspection to protect the interests of buyers and sellers alike?
Did anyone think about the buyers who do not want to waste $500 for an inspection only to find out about all of the problems a house has that could have been shown before wasting the time and money to look at that house?
If I make an offer and the inspection shows $50k worth of repairs I am taking off at least $75k. First, often estimates are low. You have to have a cushion. Second, it is a hassle for me and I expect to be compensated for an unforeseen problem (for me) that the seller almost certainly knew about before putting the house for sale.
Did any selling realtor consider their oath to protect the public which strongly suggests having a preinspection to protect the interests of buyers and sellers alike?
- Philip Mones, "Phil Mones"
- Contributions:6
Mr. Griffin
As an inspector , home owner, and previous seller, I think it is a wise decision to do a pre sale inspection. It will let you know what may be an issue when the buyer does their inspection, There have been times where people have forgone an inspection as a result of seeing a pre sale inspection. It may also provide you with additional selling points that you may have forgotten about.
If there are additional questions please feel free to contact me
Sincerely,
Phil Mones
As an inspector , home owner, and previous seller, I think it is a wise decision to do a pre sale inspection. It will let you know what may be an issue when the buyer does their inspection, There have been times where people have forgone an inspection as a result of seeing a pre sale inspection. It may also provide you with additional selling points that you may have forgotten about.
If there are additional questions please feel free to contact me
Sincerely,
Phil Mones
- rockinblu
- Contributions:7202
@ Ralph. The below is from Zillow's FAQs.
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Zillow Advice is a place for Zillow users to discuss real estate topics (such as buying, selling, and remodeling homes) and Zillow-specific topics (such as questions and comments about Zillow features). It is not a place for advertising. Any self-promotional content that is posted will be considered SPAM and will be removed by a moderator. We'd also like to keep the discussions on topic. Off-topic posts will be reviewed and may be deleted.
What is considered SPAM in Zillow Advice?
Zillow Advice is a place for Zillow users to discuss real estate topics (such as buying, selling, and remodeling homes) and Zillow-specific topics (such as questions and comments about Zillow features). It is not a place for advertising. Any self-promotional content that is posted will be considered SPAM and will be removed by a moderator. We'd also like to keep the discussions on topic. Off-topic posts will be reviewed and may be deleted.
- Ralph Gorgoglione and Richard Ruggaber, "ralphandrichard"
- Contributions:70
Well, it's not absolutely necessary, but if you and your agent think there are some areas of concern, it may not be a bad idea to deal with those issues ahead of time.
But the inspection that REALLY matters is that done by the buyer during escrow.
In today's market, the smoother the inspection, the less stress or fear by the buyer. And so in essence, buy doing your own inspection you can sort of pave the way for the buyer psychologically.
But remember, any repairs or work that you do as a result of your own inspection will need to be disclosed on the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) as a requirement to the buyer during escrow.
For more topics like this and more, feel free to visit my blog:
[link removed by moderator]
- Simon Mills, "Mills Realty"
- Contributions:1858
It don't think it is imperative, but from a seller perspective it is nice to know what is wrong with the property and have time to fix it, rather than finding out in the middle of an escrow and either being forced to hastily hire a contractor or negotiate a credit. I like to know up front and try to eliminate any repairs.
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
- Rob Albertson, "WhatAboutAustin"
- Contributions:62
From the buyer's side, homes that have been pre-inspected have to be taken with a grain of salt - I always have my clients hire their own inspector who invariably turns up more issues with the house than previously uncovered in the original inspection.
On the sell side, most of my clients now need to perform an energy audit (it's an Austin thing) so a pre-inspection is another added expense. In a perfect world, it would save us money & heartache down the road, but it rarely works out that way. But I never say never...sometimes it is the best way to get the most for your clients' house.
On the sell side, most of my clients now need to perform an energy audit (it's an Austin thing) so a pre-inspection is another added expense. In a perfect world, it would save us money & heartache down the road, but it rarely works out that way. But I never say never...sometimes it is the best way to get the most for your clients' house.
- broker_GRI
- Contributions:3454
I am not sure that "all" houses should have pre-inspections.
In this market many homeowners are underwater so the additional costs are not an option.
As a general rule my preference was to have reports and disclosures ready to go, hard copied, included on the MLS listing by password protected file or link, PDF and a copy in a binder on the property.
While buyers may still have their own inspections, the buyers/seller at least have an idea in advance.
Buyers often begin to get increasingly nervous the closer it gets to actually finalizing "the deal" and information given ahead of time can be reviewed and decided on instead of becoming surprises to stress/worry about or something sellers may not appreciate....try to negotiate lower prices with.
At that point in the transaction (for most California contracts) you would likely be 2wks (about 1/2way) into the deal and the house will be in pending status. Not a real nice time for anyone to be re-negotiating price or unexpected repairs.......
unless you want to state that the property would be sold "As is" (with no repairs to be made)
- James Dunn, "DunnRealtors.com"
- Contributions:373
I don't really see the benefit. While yes, you can identify problems before you have a buyer, then you end up identifying problems before you have a buyer. lol At least if the problems are discovered when you have a buyer, you can more often than not negotiate the repair work or credits and still complete the sale.
It's an extra expense for the seller that most agents will agree is unnecessary.
It's an extra expense for the seller that most agents will agree is unnecessary.
- Deborah Holmes, "Debbie Holmes"
- Contributions:386
I would say NO..... Just an extra expense... Unless you want a repair list to make it perfect.... Then the buyers inspection will find something else wrong anyway.... By the way same with the appraisal. Wait until you have a buyer. A good real estate agent should be able to give you a market analysis to help set the price.
- Michael Gonick, "michaelgonickrealtor"
- Contributions:58
Frankie, unless there is a compelling reason to do so, i would say no. If there are items that you think might be a negative to a prospect prior to listing- get them fixed, or offer a credit. For example, the roof may need to be replaced. You might know this ahead of time...what good would a home inspection do for you? Hope this helps :)
Should all homes have a pre home inspection prior to listing?
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