Most buyers have a house inspected before they buy it. One of the biggest fears of sellers is for buyers to find out about some issues they aren’t aware of. This is why it is important to have the property inspected before putting it on the market.
Getting a pre-listing inspection offers some benefits to sellers. It will help you determine what condition your house is in and avoid any unexpected surprises. This will ensure that the selling process goes smoothly and gets you the most money for your home.
Hire a good inspector
There are lots of inspectors out there. Since home inspectors in some states are not required to be licensed, it can be difficult to identify the good ones from the bad ones. Anyone can easily pose as a home inspector, especially in states where regulations are not stringent.
If you have family or friends who recently bought or sold a house, feel free to ask for recommendations. Your real estate agent may also know a good inspector. But before you hire one, make sure that you do some research to protect yourself from hiring an unqualified home inspector. Go online and read reviews from past clients. It is also a good idea to interview the inspector, ask a few questions and see a sample of a home inspection report.
Prepare the house for inspection
The primary purpose of a home inspection is to examine the condition of the house. In order to do their job properly, inspectors will need access to different parts of your home. They need access to the attic, basement, garage, crawlspace, and other areas. Get rid of clutter and remove anything that blocks access. Prepare each area for inspection and unlock all doors before the inspector arrives.
Attend the home inspection
Attending the home inspection isn’t mandatory. But whenever possible, we strongly recommend that you be present during the inspection.
By attending the inspection, you’ll be able to identify the issues you have never noticed and determine which ones need immediate repair. This way, you can make certain repairs prior to selling.
Read the report
A home inspection report is basically a huge list of everything that is wrong with your house. Make sure that you read the report carefully and thoroughly to help you understand the condition of your home. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to pay attention on major issues as well as those that can pose a threat on the health of potential homeowners. You want to make sure that your house is in pristine condition before putting it on the market.
