Do you want to sell your house Columbia? Before you list, make sure you understand what happens during home inspections! A seller should be prepared, knowing everything that will be looked at and what to expect after the process.
Having your house inspected and scrutinized can be stressful. Do you know what will be found? Will you be able to pay for some of the needed repairs after your potential buyer has the inspection done? To combat this, many sellers are choosing to have their own inspection done before listing, this way they know what they are getting into, know what they need to fix, and will be better able to negotiate with the buyers after their inspection has been done.
In addition, some people are eliminating the tiring inspection process altogether by selling their houses as is. Is it right for you? Find out by giving Cash Home Buyers a call now! (803) 889-0840
If you still decide to go through with the listing and inspection process, be prepared using the tips below!
They Will Check Everywhere
A standard home inspection will include 10 main areas of your house. These include:
- The structure
- The exterior
- The roofing system
- The plumbing system
- The electrical system
- The heating system
- The air conditioning system
- The interior
- The insulation and ventilation
- The fireplace
Before listing your house, it is a good idea to review these areas of your house and fix and problems you know about. You never want to hide anything. Not only is it incredibly unethical, but it can also come back to bite you if you haven’t disclosed the problem up front. The inspector will review all of these areas, and likely recommend a specialist evaluate anything that presents itself as a major problem. For example, they might call out an A/C company if there are bad readings detected.
Most Buyers Are Informed
Buyers are becoming very savvy these days. Most will accompany the inspector, asking questions and looking to spot issues themselves. They will trail the inspector looking for fresh patches of paint of other signs of recent repair. Some buyers will bring in specialized inspectors to look for things a stand inspection can’t detect. This includes things like the septic tank, mold tests, and the swimming pool. It can be very awkward if you are there as well, so your agent will likely recommend you leave the house during the process.
Be Prepared For Negotiations
Some buyers will try to have everything fixed. While you do not have to agree to this, you will likely have to have some improvements made in order to satisfy the lender. They will want to ensure that one leak isn’t going to lead to another slew of problems. In some cases, you will be able to simply lower your asking price, allowing for a credit to the buyer for future repairs. In other cases, you will need to pay for things to be fixed up front. Your buyer will likely have an agent with strong negotiation skills. Make sure you are prepared for what they throw at you!
To learn more about the home inspection process, give us a call! We can also help you learn how to sell without having to deal with the inspection process at all! Find out if selling direct is the right choice for your Columbia house!