To get an inspection or not get an inspection? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the minds of sellers to have a professional inspection ready ahead of buyers doing one or not is a debatable point and there are pros and cons to both sides of the argument.
I recently tapped into the Coldwell Banker global network of agents to get some of their thoughts and I found convincing arguments both for and against it. The video above is from Michael Ackerman with Coldwell Banker Bain Seal who gives his take on both getting one and not getting. Below are the responses from some of our top agents to help you make your decision on whether it’s the right thing for you to do to help sell your home.
Pros:
Rene Guin Salazar with Coldwell Banker Harris Mchaney & Faucette – A home inspection from a seller is absolutely invaluable! This removes buyers objections, and allows for no surprises when appraisals, other inspections come into play. I much prefer to know what the issues are in advance, for both buyers and sellers. All of my listings have a “homebuyer ready” package added to them that include home warranty and pre-inspect. I believe this gives us an advantage over homes without, and especially in a competitive market.
Craig Hogan with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Chicago) – We do quite often in our market. Doesn’t mean there won’t be a buyer inspection but a no surprise buyer inspection is a very good thing. Especially when we are getting asking price and above as we are now. No one wants to pay full price and have issues.
Mike Bowler with Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood – A pre-inspection provides a ready to sell home, however a buyer will still choose to have their own home inspection. What it does do for the seller is provide an opportunity to correct any necessary repairs prior to marketing and gives them the peace of mind that all major items are in good repair.
Cons:
Gail Carillo with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (New York) – Conducting a home inspection prior to putting the home on the market will not substitute for a buyers inspection. Further, with each inspector there will be a variety in findings. I also find that many homeowners are already in touch with the flaws of their home & can likely inform us what has been tended to and what has not during their tenure as homeowner. If the homeowner is willing to invest in something I recommend they invest in good old fashioned elbow grease. Do all the things that are free. Clean is free. De-cluttering is free. An investment of time preparing the home for sale in this manner will go a long way & it is important to remember the viewing starts at the curb.
Richard Alpers with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Colorado) – I used to, but I found that buyers didn’t trust it. They felt that the sellers might have hired the inspector to ignore a problem, so they got their own anyway. I still think it’s very helpful for the seller to find out about any issues up front.
Ashley Brooke Houseman with Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty – I will have the seller make minimal repairs/updates/etc prior to listing, mainly things that will be a major eyesore to a buyer or will be unappealing in photos. The standard Florida contract has a repair allowance (whatever the buyer/seller agree to) or if it’s an As-Is contract, the buyer will most likely ask for certain repairs to be made prior to moving out of the inspection period and onward to closing. Repairs are often used as a negotiation tool in our neck of the woods.
Header image courtesy of Flickr user Chris Potter
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[…] I recently tapped into the Coldwell Banker global network of agents to get some of their thoughts and I found convincing arguments both for and against it. The video above is from Michael Ackerman with Coldwell Banker Bain Seal who gives his take on both getting one and not getting. Below are the responses from some of our top agents to help you make your decision on whether it’s the right thing for you to do to help sell your home. Pros: Rene Guin Salazar with Coldwell Banker Harris Mchaney & Faucette – A home inspection from a seller is absolutely invaluable! This removes buyers objections, and allows for no surprises when appraisals, other inspections come into play. I much prefer to know what the issues are in advance, for both buyers and sellers. All of my listings have a “homebuyer ready” package added to them that include home warranty and pre-inspect. I believe this gives us an advantage over homes without, and especially in a competitive market. Craig Hogan with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Chicago) – We do quite often in our market. Doesn’t mean there won’t be a buyer inspection but a no surprise buyer inspection is a very good thing. Especially when we are getting asking price and above as we are now. No one wants to pay full price and have issues. Mike Bowler with Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood – A pre-inspection provides a ready to sell home, however a buyer will still choose to have their own home inspection. What it does do for the seller is provide an opportunity to correct any necessary repairs prior to marketing and gives them the peace of mind that all major items are in good repair. Cons: Gail Carillo with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (New York) – Conducting a home inspection prior to putting the home on the market will not substitute for a buyers inspection. Further, with each inspector there will be a variety in findings. I also find that many homeowners are already in touch with the flaws of their home & can likely inform us what has been tended to and what has not during their tenure as homeowner. If the homeowner is willing to invest in something I recommend they invest in good old fashioned elbow grease. Do all the things that are free. Clean is free. De-cluttering is free. An investment of time preparing the home for sale in this manner will go a long way & it is important to remember the viewing starts at the curb. Richard Alpers with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Colorado) – I used to, but I found that buyers didn’t trust …read more […]
[…] a home inspection – so one way around that is asking the seller if they’ve done a pre-inspection and reviewing the report. Another is paying for your own pre-inspection and bringing an inspector […]
[…] a home inspection – so one way around that is asking the seller if they’ve done a pre-inspection and reviewing the report. Another is paying for your own pre-inspection and bringing an inspector […]