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Sell Faster and Save! Have a Pre-Listing Inspection Done!
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Home Sellers: What are the benefits of having a Pre-Listing
Inspection?
 Deals Won't Fall Through
Home inspections, performed as a condition of the offer, can “kill” deals.
Sometimes this is because the purchaser gets cold feet; sometimes there's a
big problem no one knew about. Sometimes it is because the house has been mis-represented;
sometimes it is because the home inspector scared the purchasers by not explaining
that minor and typical problems are just that - minor and typical.
If the home inspection is performed prior to the house being listed, all parties
will be aware of the physical condition of the house before an offer is drawn.
There will be no surprises after the fact. Deals will not fall through.
Pre-inspected Listings Avoid Renegotiation
In a buyers' market, most houses have to be sold twice. It takes a lot of work
to get a signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale . Then the home inspection is
done and the purchaser wants to renegotiate.
If all parties know the condition of the house prior to the offer, there
is no need for renegotiation. As most real estate agents know, renegotiation
is very difficult. Vendors have already mentally sold the house; purchasers
are suffering buyers' remorse. Egos, pride and frustration can muddy the
already emotional waters.
A vendor who pays for a home inspection will be further ahead than one who
has to renegotiate. He of she may even sell the house faster.
Unrealistic Vendors
An inspection at the time of listing can also help a Realtor deal with a vendor
who has unrealistic expectations. The inspection report is good ammunition
for explaining why you can't ask top bucks for a house which is not in top
condition.
Repairs Prior To Sale 
Sometimes, the home inspection will reveal items which should be repaired immediately.
A pre-inspected listing allows the vendor to repair the problem prior to putting
the house on the market.
If the inspection occurs after the Agreement of Purchase and Sale , the purchaser
could walk, renegotiate or, depending on the inspection clause, the vendor
may have the option to repair. A repair done by an unmotivated vendor may not
be the best repair and may not meet the purchasers' expectations. This has
caused more than one deal not to close.
Peace Of Mind For The Purchaser
There is no doubt that part of the value of a home inspection is a guided tour
of the house for the prospective purchaser. The inspection company can return
to do a walk-through with the purchaser, if requested.
Reputable Inspection Companies
Pre-inspected listings will only have value if the home inspection company
is perceived to be reputable, qualified and properly insured. Prospective purchasers
will have little or no faith in a report done by someone they perceive to be
in the vendors', or Realtors' pocket.
Summary
We believe that the future of home inspection lies in pre-inspected listings.
Offers are cleaner and deals are less likely to be renegotiated or fall through.
Pre-inspected listings afford purchasers, vendors and Realtors the information
and protection they all deserve.
About the Author: Alan Carson is a Principal in Carson Dunlop,
one of Canada 's largest home inspection firms (founded 1978) and Past
President of ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). Alan can be
reached at carson@carsondunlop.com. Carson
Dunlop is the distributor of inspector training and report writing materials.
For more information on Carson Dunlop call: (800) 268-7070.
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