Imagine the “new” house you just bought for a superb deal. Yes, it requires a little scrubbing and some tender loving care to make it “like new” but it’s probably worth it.

On move-in day you pack all your furnishing into the pickup and head to your “new” home. You back the pickup to the front door. You open the door with boxes in your hand and go to set them down but…where to put them? The carpet needs to be cleaned so not in the living room, the kitchen tile needs to be replaced so not there… so they get brought down stairs.

Your friends come in imagining the shiny clean home but, ah, disappointing. Of course they aren’t going to comment on the odors that permeates from every crevasse and the stains on the carpet. Your friends now know why you wanted to move on your own, but friends being friends that didn’t happen.

The excitement of moving soon wanes as you realize all the work that lies ahead.

Three months later you walk past your Realtor acting like you never saw her because you’re too embarrassed to mention that the job jar is getting fuller due to all the unexpected issues arising. 

Alright, I may have put it on a little thick, but it could have been so different had the seller just gotten that pre-listing inspection performed.

Now imagine coming to the front of the home with your realtor, the drive way and exterior are spotless. You walk to the front door and enter in to a freshly cleaned, well maintained home. Yes, this is what you want but how about the hidden defects… already taken care of and a third party, unbiased report to prove it!

What’s inspected in the pre-listing home inspection report? This can be found in InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice.

Here are some of the advantages to a pre-listing home inspection for the Buyer.

• The inspection is done already.
• The inspection is paid for by the seller.
• The report provides a more accurate third-party view of the condition of the home prior to making an offer.
• A seller inspection eliminates surprise defects.
• Problems are corrected, or at least acknowledged, prior to making an offer on the home.
• A pre-listing inspection reduces the need for negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.
• The report might assist in acquiring financing.
• A pre-listing inspection allows the buyer to sweeten the offer without increasing the offering price by waiving inspections.

Added to the above advantages, you go into your new home, proudly displaying it to your friends, realtor included, as you entertain them, recommend the realtor for the professional service. Now that’s not only a buyer’s delight but also makes a realtors day!