4 Tips to Get You Past the ‘Deal Killer’ Stage in Home Inspection

In the home buying process, there isn’t a step that’s more dreaded than home inspections. Often dubbed the “deal killer” phase, it’s one of the most nerve-wracking steps that could make or break the sale of your house. In fact, 1 in every 20 transactions falls apart during the home inspection phase. It’s during this time that your buyer can find a fatal flaw or an issue in the structure or systems of your home that they just can’t overlook. Once you lose a buyer because of the results of a home inspection, you’ll have to face the same problem when the next potential buyer comes along. Therefore, you’ll have to do something about your house issues if you want your property sold. Don’t think of the home inspector as a grim reaper for your deals, though. In fact, consider ordering a home inspection before putting the property on the market to ensure your house is safe. Inspectors are trained to find problems that you usually can’t see with the naked eye. The results of their inspection are perhaps one of the best tips for selling your home – fix what needs fixing. Here are a few tips for the home inspection phase to make sure the “deal killer” doesn’t get you:

#1: Listen to your agent

Your agent’s job is to sell your home, and with that comes a wealth of experience and knowledge on how to market and sell your home at the best price and in the least amount of time. They’ve gone through dozens, if not hundreds, of inspection periods, and they know exactly what to look out for during the inspections. They are well versed in what needs to get done after seeing the reports of the home inspectors. Not only can they help you sort out the major problems from just minor nuisances, they can craft detailed lists of repairs that you need to get done to sell your home. This is particularly important with an offer on the line, so getting those repairs done quickly and efficiently can secure you a deal. Another important reason why you need to listen to your agent is that they know how to make sure you’re getting a great deal despite the issues that come up during the inspection. They know if Texas real estate listings are subject to the forces of a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market. Thus, they will know how much leverage you have with or without repairing your home. Agents also know which findings are major enough to be grounds for buyer negotiation.

#2: Let the inspector inspect your house thoroughly

For the best results, give the inspector 2 to 4 hours to inspect the house. Depending on how old your house is, and how many additional features it has, it can take a while for the inspector to go through his checklist and determine the integrity of each component or home system. Give the inspector this time and get out of their way. Usually, the buyer and their agent will be present while the inspection is being conducted so it’s best to give them space to go around the property. Get your family and all your pets out of the house for a few hours, declutter the area, and make sure that all your utilities are working. This means that gas, water, and electricity all have to be on.

#3: Be prepared to face the issues

There’s no getting around the issues that will surface after the inspection. Make sure to brace yourself if the inspection unearths a major problem that could be a dealbreaker for the buyer. Whether that means paying extra costs for the repair before the buyer commits to it, or having the buyer walk out altogether, it’s best that you don’t get your hopes up and that you’re prepared to face these problems. A good way to prepare yourself is to make a list of what could be wrong with your home. Any water damage, plumbing damage or roof damage could be a major issue. Electrical issues are also a common, but often easily repaired major issue in houses.

#4: Think about getting a pre-inspection

Fixing the problems before you put your home up for sale will work in your favor. Not only does it show you’ve done your best to make the house more desirable to buyers, you may even command a better price for your property. Consult your agent about this. However, make sure that you’re judicious about repairs and upgrades. Don’t fall down the rabbit hole of needlessly spending time and money on fixes that won’t matter much to buyers. Talk to your agent about pre-inspection before pushing through with it to make sure you get the most out of your inspection. For all your house selling needs, contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty at 979.694.8844 or sales(at)bhhscaliber(dotted)com today. Their expertise in the Texas real estate market can ensure you the best deal when selling your home.

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