Common home inspection questions before selling

You’re thinking about selling your home. Today we’re blogging about Common Home Inspection Questions Before Selling your home. Under the Vlog post video I figured Q&A style would be easiest for this specific post. Enjoy!

1. Is an inspection mandatory before a we list our house for sale?

No, a seller’s inspection is done voluntarily and it’s only mandatory for the buyers to have a property inspection if they’re planning on financing the property. However, due to the benefits mentioned, conducting an inspection can give us the edge when it comes to attracting potential buyers to the property.

2. Why have an inspection at all?

The inspection will give you a piece of mind and let you know the real current condition of your house. If you decide to have one, everything about your home will be assessed thoroughly: from the plumbing, electrical, and ventilation down to the appliances that will be handed over to the buyer if you don’t exclude them from the sales transaction. Simply put, everything from the exterior to the interior will be evaluated by a professional and licensed home inspector. It only takes a few hours for the inspection to be completed, at most. In the end, you will be given a report including pictures of all the findings.

This report will come in handy since you can forward copies to prospective buyers and it may help us command more money for the property. You can also keep one copy in the house which will be readily available during the time of the open houses.

3. Should I let the buyers see the results of the inspection?

There is no law forcing you to show the inspection results to the buyer, but why wouldn’t you want to? However, if an issue is discovered through the inspection, you most likely will have to include the findings in the (SPQ) Sellers Property Questionnaire.

4. Why would I want to tell potential buyers about problems with my home?

In most cases, buyers will gradually learn of the issues about your home in their own findings, especially when they decide to have the house inspected before removing their physical contingencies.

You should also take into consideration that a physical inspection contingency is one part of most purchase agreements in Silver Lake and other Los Angeles areas. It gives the buyer an opportunity to discuss the cost of repairs with the seller, and the buyer may ask the seller to pay for it, negotiate other terms, or cancel the deal completely if the buyer and seller cannot come to an agreement. It is also through the inspection contingency that a buyer gets the right to back out of the deal if they do not like what they find.

5. Is it my obligation to work on every issue that comes up from the inspection?

No. You don’t have to lift a finger. It’s up to you if you want to work on the property, or adjust the price of the house in relation to the cost of repairs. It’s worth mentioning that if you decide to have your own inspection completed prior to listing the property for sale, you will be in a position to make a more informed decision on the listing price.

6. Where do I find a good inspector?

I will refer you qualified and licensed inspectors that I have had positive experiences working with. You should also make double sure that each inspector is registered with either the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

7. How much does the inspection cost?

Typically Silver Lake SFR and condo inspections range from $300 – $500. There is also a possibility that the inspector may recommend that a specialist such as a structural engineer, sewer scope expert, or plumber inspect your property for more comprehensive reports if serious issues are evident. You will have to shell out more cash if such additional inspections are required, or leave the buyer to deal with these issues.

In Conclusion…

At the end of the day, a seller’s inspection is an optional step that you may or may not choose. However, take note of the fact that by spending the $300 – $500, you will be able to discover any issues that may harm your chances of closing a deal with a future buyer, and you’ll be in a better position to negotiate any credits the prospect buyer may want. And they will want a credit if they’re represented by a savvy Realtor.