Home inspections are beneficial to both the seller and the buyer. Having a quality home inspection can expedite the sale of a home. Presenting a buyer with a pre-listing home inspection report can give them confidence in you and your home. It can possibly sway their decision toward your home rather than toward a house where the seller chose not to have a pre-listing inspection.
A home inspection done before a house is put on the market can identify potential problems that you may be unaware of. Almost every house, especially one that has been lived in a while, has some type of issue that needs addressing. Discovering these imperfections prior to listing a house, gives you time to make repairs. It allows you time to pursue various estimates and companies so that the repair can be done quickly and at the best price. If the problems are discovered after a potential buyer expresses interest in the house, the opportunity to compare estimates and choose a specific company may not be there.
Most likely, once you put your home on the market, you are eager for a quick sale. Without a home inspection, issues could arise that will delay the sale of your home. Potential buyers that have an inspection done before finalizing a sale, may be deterred from investing in your home if problems are found. Even if an agreement can be reached concerning repairs, you will still have to deal with the time delay caused by the negotiating process.
On the other side of the coin are the benefits of having a quality home inspection done if you are looking to buy a house. It's easy to be awed by the beauty of a home. However, you need to give serious consideration to the aspects of the home that are less visible. In many cases, the issues that might cost you the most to repair are things that you aren't likely to notice. A trained professional knows what to look for. They can spot potential safety hazards and poor workmanship from past repairs.
As a potential buyer, you may not climb up on the roof to check for damage there or to inspection gutters and eaves. You may not have the necessary knowledge to know if the electrical system, appliances, and plumbing are up to code. Water damage can sometimes be illusive to an untrained eye. Any of these issues can end up costing you a lot of money to repair. These are not expenses you want to incur immediately after becoming responsible for mortgage payments and homeowner's insurance.
If a home inspection reveals problems, you may not have to give up your dream home. You can try to negotiate with the seller to see if an agreement or compromise can be reached regarding the asking price of the house and the estimated repair cost.
No matter which side of the buying and selling process you are on, a home inspection can ultimately save you time and money and prevent undue stress and frustration.
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