I’m asked that question at the end of every Listing appointment and the answer is always, yes.
There are more reasons for having it done than not.
The cost is generally about $400 depending on size and age and the benefits outweigh the cost.
You go through the trouble of staging your home, removing personal items, preparing for strangers to walk through your home. You take time away from your home for showings (sometimes multiple), you wait for an offer and you accept one. Don’t let an inspection kill the deal!
In my years as a Real Estate agent helping Sellers and Buyers, it’s the inspection that keeps me up at night. How often do you visit your attic or crawlspace? When is the last time you inspected your GFCI outlets or plumbing under the sink? If it’s a Sellers’ market the Sellers think, well their offer was accepted over a multiple of others, they should have known what they are buying, or we will move onto the next buyer. In my experience, I’ve found either the buyer has moved on or they wonder what went wrong in the inspection to cause the previous sale to fail. The same thing happens when a house goes back on the market. The first thing I’m asking from a buyer “why is it back on the market, what’s wrong with it?”. It’s no longer about speed as it is… why?
The unknown
Surprises I’ve experienced that make a buyer walk in Washington State…. Discoloration in the attic. This could be sheathing that was installed when it was raining out and never was an issue. It could be caused by a vent that no longer lined up with the vent hole. It could be from a former leak. The inspector doesn’t know the cause but can only ID that there might be a cause. You want to get ahead of that! When your inspector brings it to your attention, you have time to investigate or resolve on your own without the Buyer telling you what they want to have done (mold remediation, new roof, concession just in case).
Another common issue is failing windows in the PNW. Sellers think the buyer had to see that when the walked through and now it’s a problem, they just want a credit. When a buyer walks through, they are typically only there for about 15 min and it’s emotional at the time. By the time the inspection happens, the buyer might be in the home for 3 hours or worse yet, not there at all and they just get a 45-page document with only the issues with the house.
Repairs on your timeline
When an inspection response is presented to the Seller it will typically ask for a licensed electrician replace the electrical covers or a licensed mold remediation specialist evaluate the possible mold and invoices are required for the work to get done. When you pay for your own inspection, you have the right to do some of the repairs yourself on your timeframe. Did you know the Seller typically only has 3 days to respond to the Buyers inspection? It’s hard to get contractors out for bids in 3 days.
Benefits and Speed
You can really speed up the closing and illuminate surprises by providing your home inspection and Selling your home as is. You own it! You can provide it to a Buyer with a counteroffer or lay it on the counter for Buyers walking through.
You might be thinking; I don’t have the money for an inspection right now. I don’t have the ability to pay for something to get done if it comes up. I know of inspectors, contractor, and roofers that will get paid at closing, sometimes for a minimum fee. There is always a solution… just ask me! I work with great contractors and inspectors that are willing to help me and my Sellers!