Home Inspections
Big bang for your buck.
A home inspection is one of the most valuable elements of the home buying and selling processes. Both buyers and sellers can use this as a tool to better control the outcome and as a negotiation point. It is important to note that an inspection is not a pass of fail report. The report give you a deep dive into the integrity of the property.
Buyer advantage
This is not an area to cut cost on. Seek out the best inspector possible. A good inspector can save you thousand, or even tens of thousands of dollars. The results of the report will give you a chance to negotiate, back out, or proceed forward.
Be aware, when in a seller’s market, the seller may reject your requests for repairs and cost reductions.
It’s always a good idea to be present at the inspection, this gives you the opportunity to talk with the inspector and ask any questions you may have.
What to look for in an inspection report.
The purpose of an inspection report is to identify health and safety concerns as well as major defects. Inspectors look for the following: water damage, structural issues, roof condition/damage, electrical condition, plumbing issues, insect/pest infestations or damage, and issues with the HVAC and appliances.
When reviewing the inspection report, remember, now is the time to address any issues or concerns. This is your opportunity as a buyer to come back and negotiate with the sellers. You can ask them to fix the issue, help pay for a portion of the repair, decrease the sales price, do nothing, or any combination of these options.
Assuming your agent added a contingency for inspection, this is your opportunity to back out of the deal without any repercussions.
Don’t let the inspection report scare you away. There is no such thing as a perfect house. The best next step is to reach out to local contractors and determine what the cost of any repairs will be. If you have a good agent, she will help you with this. Itemize out all the repairs and work with your agent on how they will present this information to the listing agent. The market, listing price, and motivation of the seller will all play a role in how the situation will play out.
Seller be aware
As a seller, you want to be able to anticipate what will show up on your home inspection report. You don’t want to be blind sided by any major issues.
One way to mitigate a devastating blow is to download an inspection report form and do a breakthrough of your house before listing.
If repairing major issues is not something you are willing to take care of, be honest with your listing agent and ask for their advice on how to proceed. Making defects known will prevent any surprises for the buyer when they receive the inspection report.
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Are you ready to take the next step in your real estate journey? Contact me!
Email us at trishawittehomes@gmail.com
616-795-9989
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