What Sellers Need to Know About Home Inspections

During the pandemic and housing frenzy of 2020-21, many home buyers waived home inspections to be more competitive with their offers; however, in 2022 and 2023, home inspections are once again becoming the norm.  According to the  National Association of Realtors®, 95% of sellers in August 2022 requested a home inspection. Furthermore, more buyers are asking for repairs, and more sellers are making repairs before listing than during the pandemic.

What is a Home Inspection?

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), “A home inspection objectively examines a house’s physical structure and systems, from the roof to the foundation.” Typically, a professional inspector inspects the home and provides a report revealing any defects in the house.

A home inspection is the last opportunity a buyer has to discover any problems with the house before purchasing it and an opportunity for the seller to address any issues and negotiate the price with the buyer.

The inspector will look at both the inside and outside of your home, looking for any and all maintenance or repair issues, defects, etc. Here are some of the things an inspector will typically inspect:

• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Roof
• Electrical system
• Windows
• Doors
• Foundation
• Pest infestations
• Visible insulation
• Structural components

Home inspection FAQs answered:

• An inspection typically takes two to four hours, depending on the size of the home, the number of defects, how thorough the inspector is, and how helpful the homeowner is.
• The buyer usually requests and pays for the inspection at no cost to the seller; however, they can negotiate that the seller pays for it.
• Usually, the inspector, buyer, and buyer’s agent are at the inspection. The seller is not.
• The inspector’s report will be given to the buyer. They don’t have to share the report with the seller, but most will provide an amended version, specifying any issues the buyer feels need to be addressed.
• Buyers may want additional inspections that look for radon, asbestos, lead paint, mold, water damage, etc.

If there is an inspection contingency clause in the purchase agreement, the buyer may – based on the inspection report - request certain repairs, a reduction in the purchase price, or a cash credit at closing to make the repair. Buyers can also use the inspection contingency to completely back out of the agreement; however, if they’ve gone this far, they are pretty serious about buying your home and probably won’t back out of the deal unless they feel they have to.

Even if you believe your home is in good condition, an inspection can be nerve-wracking. No home – especially an older home – is perfect, and an inspector will always find something, and often the list of defects is long (sometimes more than 100 items). A seller doesn’t need to be too concerned with the number of minor defects.

How Can Sellers Prepare for a Home Inspection?

Some sellers get their own home inspection before putting their home on the market. This can give them an opportunity to repair issues and reassure potential buyers. However, often, a buyer won’t accept a report provided by the seller.

Inspectors should be objective, but they are people too. If they walk into a clean home, they’ll assume the homeowner cares about (and takes care of) their property. Plus, an inspector may find more faults if he has to deal with all kinds of obstacles to perform his inspection.

Therefore, it’s in the seller’s best interest to make the inspection easy for the inspector. Here are nine tips to get a better home inspection report.

• Gather paperwork, such as receipts for big-ticket items, like new HVAC, roof repair, recent services performed, etc.
• Leave keys for outside doors, electrical panel, etc.
• Eliminate clutter in your home to make it easier for the inspector to move around. 
• Trim trees that touch the roof to avoid concerns about roof damage. 
• Ensure drains are clear, and all faucets run. 
• Ensure the pilot light in the fireplace, furnace, etc., and utilities are on.
• Remove any pets.
• Ensure the inspector can easily access your HVAC unit, water heater, etc.
• You may want to consider replacing or fixing anything broken, such as windows and doorknobs. 

Get More for Your Home and Sell it Faster!

If you’re ready to sell your home, Pete Heim can help you navigate the process, get more for your home, and sell it faster! Contact Pete today at 610-745-3378 or 610-898-1441 or connect with him online.