| Most people are aware of the importance of a | | | | performing needed repairs and replacements before |
| qualified home inspection when buying a home, but the | | | | the buyer sees the property, you ensure that your |
| advantages of a pre-inspection for the seller may not | | | | home makes the best possible first impression. |
| be immediately obvious. Several arguments are | | | | Additionally, the decision about who will do the repairs |
| frequently made against pre-inspections. Skeptics note | | | | will be in your hands, not the buyer's. This will allow you |
| that buyers usually will perform a home inspection | | | | to better control costs and allow you to plan your |
| before buying, rendering the seller's inspection | | | | expenditures more accurately. |
| redundant. The cost of a home inspection is raised as | | | | Precise knowledge of your property's condition will |
| an objection, as well. Sellers sometimes argue that | | | | allow you to price your home competitively. Especially |
| since they live in the home, they are already aware of | | | | in current housing market conditions, an accurate |
| its condition and thus do not need a home inspection to | | | | assessment of your home's worth can make the |
| confirm what they already know. | | | | difference between a home that sells quickly and one |
| In fact, performing a pre-inspection can actually be a | | | | that remains on the market for months. A |
| selling point for your home. Knowing the exact | | | | pre-inspection will give you the edge in determining |
| condition of your home before it goes on the market | | | | your home's asking price and in negotiating the best |
| can allow you to plan for repairs, if necessary, and will | | | | possible financial outcome for you. |
| give you a better idea of your home's real value, | | | | Perhaps most importantly, a pre-inspection report can |
| essential for pricing it correctly in today's volatile | | | | reassure prospective buyers about the condition of |
| housing market. Additionally, a pre-inspection can | | | | your home. It will showcase your home's assets, |
| provide potential buyers with confidence, allowing them | | | | describing in detail the improvements and upgrades |
| to offer a higher price for your property than they | | | | your home has to offer. Potential buyers can place |
| might otherwise be prepared to do. | | | | their offers with confidence, knowing that your home |
| If your property qualifies for Federal Housing | | | | has been thoroughly inspected for any defects or |
| Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance, | | | | problems. Pre-inspections eliminate the worry of |
| pre-inspections are especially important. FHA | | | | last-minute negotiations, demands for repairs or, worst |
| regulations require certain minimum property standards | | | | of all, having a sale fall through due to problems |
| be met; a pre-inspection will ensure that your home | | | | discovered during the standard pre-closing home |
| meets the eligibility requirements for FHA insurance, | | | | inspection. |
| increasing the number of qualified buyers for your | | | | Pre-inspections provide many advantages to home |
| home. | | | | sellers. In fact, most Realtors recommend that a |
| Because a pre-inspection takes place before your | | | | pre-inspection be performed prior to placing your home |
| house goes on the market, you will have additional time | | | | on the market for the reasons listed here, and for one |
| to make any necessary repairs. Your home inspector | | | | more reason: peace of mind. A thorough pre-inspection |
| will explain the extent of the problems and may even | | | | of your home will let you avoid unwanted surprises |
| make suggestions about possible ways to repair them | | | | while selling your home, allowing you to relax and |
| yourself, saving you money and avoiding the necessity | | | | concentrate on your upcoming move. |
| of hiring a contractor or scheduling a repair. By | | | | |