Pre-Listing Resources

All too often, a home inspection is performed as a final contingency of a sale with little time to absorb its impact. Any reported deficiencies, at this time of high emotional stress, can easily be blown out of proportion causing an overreaction and possible death of the deal.

People are far more receptive to such deficiencies when they are disclosed to them up front, perhaps while they are viewing the home for the first time. The additional benefits to a seller are fewer renegotiations, less surprises, a better selling price, less likely litigation for improper disclosure, and an increased chance that a deal will close. Having a pre-sale inspection given to a buyer does not remove the buyer’s responsibility to perform their own due diligence and have their own inspection of the property.

Before an inspection, you should make sure all areas of the house are readily accessible. You may need to move large items, cleanout closets, and open crawl spaces and attics. Make sure no rooms or storage areas are locked; the gas, electricity and water are turned on to all fixtures and appliances. A cup of coffee would be nice!

If you intend to use your report as a marketing tool and if you are going to make repairs based on the inspection report, you may want to consider a re-inspection. The re-inspection will clean up the initial report positioning the home more favorably.

Maintenance Schedule