Should You Have Your Home Pre-Inspected?

When you are in the market to buy a house in Arlington, Virginia, experts recommend that you have the property inspected. This will alert you of any hidden issues or potential damage that could affect the home and your bank account. However, some sellers will choose to have the property inspected prior to placing it on the market. While this decision will cost several hundred dollars, it may be in your best interest.

Here are four reasons you should consider a home pre-inspection. 

1. It Gives You Time to Make Much-Needed Repairs

When you receive your inspection report, you will have a list of tasks that need to be completed. These could be major issues such as the roof needing to be replaced or something as small as a crack in the garbage disposal. Completing a home inspection before placing your house on the market, gives you the time to make these necessary repairs. This is a great way to save some money as you aren’t as rushed to complete the work so you can budget, shop, and search for deals and the best contractor. 

2. There Are No Surprises for Buyers

If a buyer knows that an inspection has recently been completed on the home, they will feel more confident in their purchase decision. Additionally, a pre-inspection also helps reduce your chance of receiving low offers on the property. Many home offers have inspection clauses. These typically state that if major issues are found during the inspection process, the buyers can back out of the property. 

However, keep in mind that there are some drawbacks to a pre-inspection. When certain problems are found during the inspection, you will need to disclose them to the buyer. While this can reduce potential lawsuits, some issues can also deter buyers or you may be paying thousands of dollars to fix the problem. 

3. Your Listing is More Impressive

Following a home inspection, you will likely make several repairs to improve the home to make it sell-ready. While this is not only going to improve the look and condition of the home, it will also improve its listing as well. For example, if you make major repairs such as updating the flooring in the kitchen, painting several bedrooms, or even replacing the water heater or a few windows, these repairs should be highlighted in the listing. Using words such as “recently replaced, “brand new,” or “upgraded” throughout the list is going to attract potential buyers. 

4. Can Speed Up Your Sale

After a buyer conducts a home inspection, negotiations may begin once again. You may need these negotiations to determine who has to make certain repairs and how the inspection report will affect the offer price. A pre-inspection can reduce much of these renegotiations. If major issues were found during the pre-inspection, these can be negotiated at the beginning of the process. It will not slow down the process at a later date. 

However, be aware that just because you choose to conduct a pre-inspection, it does not mean the buyer will not want their own inspection. Each inspector may find different problems or concerns. This means you may have a whole new list of potential problems you’ll need to take care of following the second inspection.

A home pre-inspection may not be necessary for your home. If you are wondering if this is the right choice for your property, talk to your agent.

For more questions on buying or selling a home in Arlington, Virginia, the current real estate market, and the latest listings, contact Arlington VA Realtor Norma Skeete today.