First Things First – The Home Inspection

Buying or selling a property can be an emotionally charged experience for everyone involved. The potential buyer has found a home they can picture themselves living in, and they may already be mentally arranging the furniture. Meanwhile, the seller of the home is imagining the possibilities of what they will do with the return on their investment.

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, don’t let your emotions get ahead of the crucial piece of the real estate transaction: the home inspection. As an experienced home agent, Terrie Cox knows how easy it is to get swept up in the excitement of real estate. Terrie knows the home inspection should come first before any further planning. Home inspections should be done early so that everyone knows what they are up against. This is the time buyers and sellers should lean on an experienced broker like Terrie.

A home inspection will show buyers such potential deal breakers as mold, bad wiring, and leaks. The report can reveal other things not necessarily visible to the untrained eye such as previous DIY repairs or remodels that may not be good quality or up to code. This information is important for buyers to save themselves unexpected costs, time and disappointment. An inspection can also help buyers properly negotiate a price, request the seller to make repairs, or maybe decide to set their sights elsewhere.

For sellers preparing for a home inspection, it is important to be up front about any known issues with the home, even labeling broken appliances. This show of good faith can ease the minds of buyers and build trust to smooth the way for negotiations. Inspectors appreciate honesty also, as well as working light bulbs and clean, accessible appliances. It just makes sense that an inspector is likely to give a more favorable report to a forthright seller than one who is not.

Some real estate experts like Terrie suggest it can be worthwhile for sellers to get their own home inspection report ahead of time. A pre-inspection report gives sellers a heads up on necessary repairs as well as providing justifi cation for their selling price right from the start. For a few hundred dollars, this report can pay off by helping eliminate obstacles in the selling process and costing the seller fewer days on the market.

The home inspection process may seem overwhelming. You may wonder how to choose an inspector, how much it should cost, and what to do after the inspection report. But you don’t have to go it alone. You can rely on an experienced agent to guide you. Just Ask Terrie. If you are thinking of selling and would like a competitive market analysis of your home, contact Terrie Cox.

GET LISTED, GET SOLD.
Visit www.USA-Relocate.com or call her at 360-607-4100