Omaha, Nebraska Contributed by David Matney with Alliance Real Estate
I have in the past always stressed the importance of a pre-inspection to my sellers when listing their property. Many times my suggestion was met with... "well, that sounds good but we paid for our own inspection we we bought the home" I have now changed my marketing plan to include a FREE pre-inspection provided by me when I list the home. Since I have begun to provide this service it has worked well for several reasons.
1) Reduction of liability for both the seller and the agent. I no longer receive the call eight months after closing saying the sellers should have known the ..... was not working. A pre-inspection shifts the burden on the home inspector. We include the inspection summary report with the disclosure and therefore the buyers are going into the home with eyes wide open.
2) It can actually help put a deal together. For example, sometimes Dad or Uncle Larry (who knows everything) says, "that furnace is old and will need to be replaced." A pre-inspection can eliminate this objection because according the inspector everything checked out OK or maybe it just needs to be serviced.
3) If something is going to be an issue it is better to fix it upfront on the sellers time and not have the deal fall apart because of an unknown issue.
4) It also helps separate you from your competition. This is a proactive approach in marketing the home. Many agents do not provide this service and it adds value to the transaction.
5) Health and Safety. It could also help address an issue that is of immediate health and safety. Perhaps there is a undetected gas leak that is of immediate danger to your sellers.
6) A pre-inspection also gives the seller an active role in the home selling process. Now, they know things that need to be addressed in order to make the home be presented in the best light. Most sellers want to know what they can do to make the home more marketable.
7) Marketing. Now that the home has been pre-inspected you can use that in the marketing remarks for the home.
These are a few of the reasons why I like to have a pre-inspection prior to listing a home. Sellers have to clearly understand that any issues that are found must be disclosed. I feel that money spent on a pre-inspection is marketing dollars well spent.
Thanks,
David Matney, CRS,GRI
