So, you’ve decided to sell your home, or at least you’re thinking about it. Maybe this year, maybe next, or maybe in five years. It feels so overwhelming and you know you’ve got a lot to do. You have to clean the place up, clear out the cabinets and closets, straighten up the shelves, and take down the family photos. The list is long, and time-consuming for sure, but you’ll get it done. You will give away, throw away and donate everything you won’t need in your next home. But is your house really ready to sell? Have you thought about a professional pre-inspection?
It’s a lot of work owning a home, but I’m pretty good at it. I keep up with maintenance, have repairs made when necessary and in general try to stay ahead of the game. In spite of this, when It came time to sell my house, I worried most about the home inspection. Would the Inspector find something wrong that I wasn’t aware of? Would the inspection kill the sale?
As homeowners, why do we leave the home inspection solely in the hands of a buyer? Of course any purchaser of a new home is going to want to have their own Home Inspector check out the place for them. And there are many things that can come up during an inspection that can derail the sale. Some buyers approach the inspection as an informational session where the Home Inspector can help explain the systems of the house. Many buyers purchase a house perfectly willing to do any and all necessary repairs and updates to a home they have fallen in love with. Some, however, use the inspection to renegotiate any discovered flaws in the home. This can lead to a lot of stress between buyers and sellers, with real estate professionals doing their best to support their clients through the negotiation process. Sometimes the deal falls apart, leading to a great deal of disappointment all around.
But there is something you, as a homeowner can do now to help minimize the risk of losing a buyer for your house. Schedule a pre-inspection! Yes, it will cost you, but then you will have the opportunity to address issues that are going to come up anyway when a buyer comes in with their own Inspector. Does the roof need some repair work? Is the hot water heater in need of replacement? When was the last time you had your HVAC serviced by a licensed technician? Or your chimney? A prospective buyer may ask you to repair some of these things before proceeding with the deal. Have you considered how long it might take to get service providers out to do the necessary repairs? Some items may be listed, full disclosure, as issues that you may not want to address, but this will help set expectations for the new homeowner.
A pre-inspection is a terrific way to get your home really ready for sale. And when that perfect buyer walks through the door and they just know they’ve found their next home, what a bonus to be able to tell them that the house has been pre-inspected. Yes, they will bring in their own inspector, and yes there will be other things that come up. But they will have negotiated the purchase price with confidence that the house is in the best shape possible and that, in the end, will save you time, money and aggravation. Don’t forget to work with a Realtor you can trust, and who can refer you to a qualified Home Inspector to get the ball rolling.
Hiring a Realtor to sell your home is an important decision. It is more than just a transaction; you are giving someone the key to your house! Make sure you are working with a Realtor you can trust, who’s reputation and credentials you can easily confirm. You are going to be working closely together and your Realtor should be there for you every step of the way. From preparing the house to sell, listing and marketing, Open Houses and showings to negotiating the price and stewarding the sale all the way across the finish line to closing day, your Realtor is your advisor, your partner and your best advocate. Happy Selling!
I am a Realtor with Benoit Mizner Simon & Co. Real Estate, just outside of Boston. If you are in my area and ready to sell your home, or buy your next one, contact me at jamieagrossman@gmail.com. As your realtor I will be glad to share my list of resources and will work with you to get everything accomplished. Not in my area? Call me anyway and I will personally connect you with a qualified realtor in your neighborhood. You are not alone! I know what needs to be done and I take great care of my clients. Happy Moving!
