Buying or Selling a Home: How to Stay In Control
A guest post by Virginia Certified Home Inspector Bob Greeley
Congratulations! You’ve decided to buy a new home. This is a huge new chapter in most people’s lives and generally their most expensive purchase. And for most folks, buying a new home means having to sell the one they currently own. So as a seller, how can you maximize your equity and make the process as smooth as possible at the same time? As the old adage says, “Knowledge Is Power.”
Of course, finding a top-notch agent is a must. He or she will walk you through pre-qualification, help figure out just what you can afford, and assist in pricing your current home. And speaking of which, how can you get top dollar? Answer: Understand what things make your home shine, and get in front of anything the buyer’s inspector might find that could drag the price down or stop the sale at the last minute. And this means an honest, impartial look at your home’s condition by an experienced inspector.
Most inspectors offer Seller’s Evaluations, often at reduced fees. Many sellers schedule this as soon as they decide they’re going to sell. Why? This way, they know exactly what may need to be repaired/serviced/evaluated by a specialist/replaced. And they know this well in advance.
If the house has a lot of issues, all is NOT lost! The sellers can:
1. Have these items repaired or replaced, or
2. Know to expect a certain amount of push-back from the buyers and either stand their ground, offer an allowance or adjust the price. But again, you, the seller, get to decide all this long before the other side backs you into a corner. And best of all, you don’t need to panic at the last minute because something big turned up that you didn’t know about. You stay in the driver’s seat, where you belong.
Keep in mind that sometimes a buyer’s inspector can find something that your inspector didn’t report upon, but inspectors generally follow the same standards.
They’re generally looking at the same things. So while there’s always a chance of a surprise, it’s NOTHING like the sort of issues that often turn up at the last minute. Many people I’ve spoken with over the years have appreciated the level of security and control their Seller’s Evaluations provided.
So now you’re putting on your buyer’s hat, which is the fun side! As with people, houses are VERY individual and even ones that look stunning in photos can have issues you may not see. Make sure to hire an inspector who is observant enough to see them but professional enough to explain them clearly and LET YOU MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND. The inspector reports, but YOU DECIDE. Here again, your agent will help you decide what your “best offer” should be.
Best of luck!
Robert Greeley, ACI
Virginia Certified Inspector # 3380001137
ASHI Certified Inspector # 251770
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