In most real estate transactions, after a buyer has had their home inspections completed, they return to the seller with a list of repairs they want completed prior to closing.
Sellers then tend to go into a bit of shock. They were unaware that the oil boiler is on its last legs, or that the window in the guest bedroom doesn't close properly. Or worse...that their septic system is in need of major repairs.
The repair negotiations begin...and sellers end up scrambling to find not who can do the best job at a fair price, but who can do the job now, so we can still close the sale on time.
Most of these issues can be averted if the sellers have a pre-sale home inspection done...before placing their home on the market.
We can list your home today, but not place it on the market for a few weeks. During this period we can then:
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Have any needed pre-sale inspections (house inspection, septic inspection, pest inspection if deemed necessary)
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Take the time to call in professionals to perform repairs at your convenience.
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As a bonus, begin the marketing of your home, so all marketing is ready to go and make a big splash right as your home hits the market.
This will save sellers much stress, and possibly even money.
Buyers may also have their own inspections done, but they will be much more amenable to making an offer on a home they know has already been inspected. And, we can expect minimal, if any, repair issues to arise during the transaction.
It's a win-win situation for all parties.
Sellers - have your home pre-inspected before the first buyer walks through your door.
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Don - we very much agree with the pre-inspection. Anything that takes the surprise out of the mix in this market is a very good thing.
best
You must be a smart man, Gary!
I've found that many inspectors will even discount their fees for pre-sale inspections, as they do not have nervous buyers following them around, and also because they then hope the seller will use them to inspect the home they eventually purchase.
Morning Don, I was wondering if this is a hard sell to your sellers, or are they pretty receptive to this idea?
Have you asked any inspectors that don't offer a discount on a pre-sale, if they would give the sellers a discount on the home they are planning to buy?
Hi Larry- I used to force this issue. Many sellers would complain, but then every single one of them thanked me for making them have a pre-sale inspection in the end. They realized either a) it made the deal go that much smoother and/or b) there were problems with the home they didn't know about, and they were able to make repairs on their terms prior to selling the home.
It's time for me to start forcing the issue again. It saves so many headaches, and I still believes it saves the seller money in the end.
I actually don't negotiate inspector fees - I let the clients do that. However, two inspectors, when asked about pre-sale inspections, openly offered a greatly discounted rate. I was surprised, but it made sense, and it's another tool that I can use.