WHY PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
Often times, an unexpected and possibly hidden issue within the home is found by the inspector during the pre-purchase home inspection. Such findings tend to leave a feeling of uncertainty from the buyer and result in getting a much lower offered price on the home or potentially derail the entire sale. In order to avoid this situation, educated sellers are encouraged to take the precautionary step of having an inspection done before listing the home for sale.
As a seller, you have the power to hire an inspector of your choice, rather than relying on the buyers selected home inspector. Having a pre-listing inspection gives the seller an opportunity to shop for contractors to do any necessary repairs, rather than being forced to settle for a price reduction or having to pay a buyer’s chosen contractor to perform the repairs prior to closing. Pre-purchase inspections also help mitigate the long process of back and forth negotiating due to major items found in during the inspection, which would speed up the sale of the home.
If you arrange for a pre-listing home inspection by JHD Home Inspection before you place your home on the market, we will assist you with identifying any major problems or concerns that could potentially derail the sale of your home or allow the buyer to ask for a price reduction after you have accepted an offer. Spending a few hundred dollars upfront will allow you to possibly save much more in time and money during the sale of your home.
WHATS COVERED IN A PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION
The home inspector will examine the condition of the property and provide a comprehensive evaluation of its systems and components. Inspected areas and items include, but are not limited to the following:
• Foundation [Basement or Crawlspace]
• Roofing [Shingles, Gutters, Downspouts, Vents, Flashing ,Trim and Roof Penetrations]
• Exterior[Grading, Drainage, Sidewalks, Garage, Walls, Siding, Decks, Porches, Fencing, and Trees]
• Attic [Access, Lighting, Insulation and Ventilation]
• Electrical Systems [Service Entrance, Main Panel, Disconnects, GFCI’s and AFCI’s, Receptacle Polarity, Grounding and Bonding]
• Plumbing Systems [Shut off Valves, Water lines, Drain lines, Water Pressure, Catch Basins, Fixtures and Water heater]
• Interior [Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Doors, Windows, Bed Rooms, Bath Rooms, Fire Place Cabinets and Kitchen Appliances]
• Heating and Cooling [Furnace, Air Conditioning Systems and Controls]
• Fireplaces and Chimney [Flue, Hearth, Firebox and Damper]
In addition, the home inspection will also look any safety issue or any deficiency that may affect the value of the property, such as evidence of fire, mold and water damage
WHEN TO HAVE YOUR HOME INSPECTED
It is recommended for the seller to obtain a professional home inspection prior to placing their property on the market. This will allow time for the seller to review the report with the home inspector and proceed to make any repairs that may be recommended for safety reasons or affect the value of the home.
