❓The top SEVEN questions home sellers ask about home inspection

Home inspections have a reputation for being deal killers. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, one out of every 20 real estate transactions hits a fatal snag along the way, and nearly a third of the ones that don’t make it to closing fall apart because of issues that turned up during the inspection!

A property’s physical structure naturally deteriorates over time and requires significant upkeep. Some problems that arise will be obvious—like a burst pipe or deep crack in the driveway—but not all of the wear and tear on a home’s inner workings are visible to the naked eye. Therefore, making the home inspection process a nerve wracking one for home sellers.

Here are the answers to our most asked home inspection questions. We hope these help you prepare mentally and logistically for this step of the process:

1. What if my home fails the inspection?

A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. It does, however, open the door for renegotiation. You’re not obligated to fix anything, but the buyer can also walk away if they’re not satisfied.

2. When does the inspection happen?

The inspection occurs after the buyer has made an offer on the home. After a home inspection, the buyer may be able to renegotiate their offer or request repairs if certain issues come up.

3. Who hires the inspector?

The buyer will hire a 3rd party inspector of their choosing.

4. How long does it take?

For an average sized home {1,000 sq feet}, you can plan for the inspection to take 2-4 hours. The inspection may last longer if your home is particularly old or has additional features to inspect such as a pool, shed, attic, or crawl space.

5. Who attends the home inspection? And can I be there?

The buyer and the buyer’s agent are typically at the house during the inspection, in most cases it’s best for the seller to leave. This allows the buyer to feel comfortable talking about the home which will soon be theirs.

Have your agent communicate with the buyer’s agent about scheduling. You may be able to arrange for the inspection to be while you’re at work or a time when you can get everyone {including pets} out of the house for a few hours.

If you want to be present for the inspection, talk to your agent about the pros and cons.

6. What is the inspector looking for?

An inspector’s job is to find major defects. This includes things like:

• Water Damage

• Structural Issues

• Old/Damaged Roof

• Damaged Electrical System

• Plumbing Problems

• Insect and Pest Infestation

• Issues with the HVAC System

Note: They are NOT looking to nit pick cosmetic issues in your home.

7. Will the buyer ask for repairs?

More than likely the buyer will request you fix or repair something in the home. So it’s best to prepare for those costs up front. Give yourself a couple thousand dollars in wiggle room when you’re choosing a listing price.

BOTTOM LINE:

Not every deal will have a home inspection. However, we see home inspections on about 95% of our transactions so it’s best to plan for one.

Keep in mind no home is perfect. But you can take steps to ready yourself (and your home) for the home inspection to minimize unwanted surprises.