1. Is a pre-listing home inspection mandatory before a home is listed?

No, a seller’s inspection is done voluntarily. However, due to the benefits we'll cover, conducting an inspection can give you an edge when it comes to attracting potential buyers.

2. Why should I have an inspection at all?

The inspection will let you know the real current condition of your house. Once it takes place, everything will be assessed thoroughly: from the plumbing, electrical, and ventilation down to the appliances that will be handed to the buyer.  Simply put, everything from the exterior to the interior will be evaluated. It only takes a few hours for the inspection to be completed. In the end, you will be given a report of all the things that will be noticed in the inspection.  This report will come in handy since you can forward copies to prospective buyers. You can also keep one copy in the house which will be readily available during the time of the open house.

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

There is no need to show the inspection results to the buyer. However, if an issue is discovered through the inspection, you may have to include the results on the disclosure that should be shown to the buyer. Some of our clients will provide the reports to every interested buyer to show transparency and that issues have been taken care of!

4. Why would I want to reveal any issues of my home to potential buyers?

In most cases, buyers will gradually learn of the issues about your home, especially when they decide to have the house inspected before finalizing the purchase.  You should also put into consideration that an inspection contingency is part of majority of purchase and sale agreements. It enables the buyer to discuss the cost of repairs to the seller and ask him to pay for it or to cancel completely cancel the deal. It is also through the inspection contingency that a buyer gets the right to back out from a deal and get a hold of his earnest money after seeing the results of the inspection.

If you have done your own inspection, you will be able to see any possible problems that may come in the way of a potential purchase and even show the potential buyer that you have already corrected them!

5. Is it my obligation to work on every issue that surfaces from the inspection?
No. It’s up to you if you want to work on all the issues, lessen the price of the house in relation to the cost of repairs, or simply not do anything at all. It is notable that with use of the results from the inspection, you will be able to come up with an informed decision prior to closing a deal with a potential buyer.

6. Where do I get the services of the inspector?
Talk to your real estate agent as he or she will be able to refer you with inspectors. See to it that the inspector is registered with a national association, like the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These distinguished groups of home inspectors have websites with directories.

7. How much will I spend for the inspection?

Depending on factors like local rates or your home’s size, inspections usually range from $ 400 – $700. There is also a possibility that the inspector may recommend that a specialist such a structural engineer, sewer scope, or plumber see your home for more comprehensive reports for serious issues. You will have to shell out some more cash if such additional inspections are required.

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