Are Pre-Inspections Worth the Money?
A pre-inspection is an inspection that the owner pays to have done before the home is officially listed on the market for sale. This inspection helps alert the seller to any potential items that need repair or updated. While not required, many sellers choose to have a pre-inspection done out of prudence.
Are Pre-Inspections Worth The Money?
Is it worth spending the money to have a pre-inspection done on your home? There are some pros and cons, but in general, it is a good idea to have an inspection done so that you know the condition of your home before listing. This can save you time and money in the long run by helping you to avoid unexpected repairs or complications during the selling process.
A pre-inspection can also help you to set realistic expectations for the sale of your home and give you the opportunity to make any necessary repairs or improvements before potential buyers see the property. Additionally, having a pre-inspection report available to show buyers can give them confidence in the condition of your home and potentially make your home more attractive to them.
Inspections can vary in thoroughness and specificity which will in turn affect price. You can choose to have certain items or parts of the home inspected to save on cost. Examples might be having the HVAC system inspected or having the attic and crawlspace checked for water damage and potential mold growth. We recently did an inspection on a home to check for possible moisture intrusion after concerns due to melting snow near the foundation. We, unfortunately, did find significant mold growth in the crawlspace but were able to alert the homeowner in time for them to have the necessary repairs done before listing. You can watch a short video of our findings below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjgsCR_8kxU
Pros and Cons of Having a Pre-Inspection Done
Pros:
1. Helpful in case any catastrophic problems are present. Gives you time to fix the problem and time to line up contractors without the pressure of having a buyer on the other side.
2. Less likely to frighten buyers away if the problem has already been dealt with.
3. Can help you budget appropriately for needed repairs.
Cons:
1. Sometimes you can choose to spend money on issues that seem important, only to have the buyers request something else be done or the repairs done a different way. If you wait to do the repairs until they are listed on the RE-10 you can make sure that everyone is in agreement on what is done. This is especially helpful if future buyers want to make upgrades to insulation, remodel, or make other stylistic choices.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that you will need to disclose findings as required by law. These things would likely be discovered during a typical home inspection, but just because you fix them doesn’t mean you don’t have to disclose them. If you have any air tests for mold performed, you will likely have to disclose the findings (good or bad) depending on where you live. Choosing the right inspector will help you walk through this process the correct way.
Ultimately having at least a basic pre-inspection performed can help save you a lot of trouble and possibly money. Listing your home in a prepared manner will help you complete the process in the most painless way possible.
