Home inspections are often considered to be responsible for a home sale falling through. Should the inspection reveal problems, and the buyer and seller not be able to agree on a solution, the deal could quickly break down. One example is that of a muli-million dollar home in San Diego that was not sold due to the inspection findings. Several inspectors were hired to assess the condition of this property, and when the roof inspector reported that the roof needed nearly a half-million dollars worth of repairs, the buyer backed out. The seller surely would have benefited from knowing this in advance.
The sellers of this home are now suing the roof inspector. Though follow-up inspections did show that the roof was in need of repairs, the new estimates were only a small fraction of the estimate that was ultimately a deal breaker. The roof inspector may indeed lose this case. However, this will likely come as little consolation to the sellers who now have to find a new buyer. Had a pre-sale home inspection been ordered, all of this hassle may have been eliminated. Once the sellers were alerted to such problems they could have chosen to gather estimates and provided them as part of disclosure, or have the repairs made prior to listing the home.
Why Opt for A Pre-Sale Inspection?
The mindset of the buyer can be greatly altered by findings revealed in a home inspection they order. It is best that buyers know the condition of the home in advance of making an offer. They can use the information contained in the report to make what they feel is an appropriate offer, as well as to request that problems be taken care of. Buyers tend to be very excited when making an offer on a home. This excitement may quickly turn to extreme disappointment should their home inspection reveal problems.
Sellers who wish to have a pre-sale inspection done can ask their real estate agent for home inspector recommendations. Agents often know which inspectors are considered to be the best. It is perfectly acceptable to interview more than one inspector in an effort to select the one you feel more comfortable working with. Inspectors that are members of the the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) are excellent choices. Licensing is only a requirement for home inspectors in some U.S. states. This makes trade organization affiliation important.
Some home inspectors are licensed to perform certain types of home repairs. This is fine so long as the inspector does not attempt to sell you any of his or her other services. This creates a conflict of interest, and a good inspector will never attempt it. By using a reputable home inspector, the findings on the home inspection report may be taken more seriously. Whether the home inspection is ordered by the seller or buyer, the inspector should be willing to explain any findings. Pre-sale inspections benefit both parties. However, the buyer will need to be advised they that should have their own home inspection done if they wish.
