ryland@inspectorcheckps.com
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(206) 473-1480
Residential Inspections & Thermal Imaging throughout the Greater Seattle area including King County, Pierce County, & Snohomish County.
WA License #21003896
“In this market we could set it on fire and we’d still get multiple offers.” – anonymous Seattle realtor
As you’re probably aware, the housing market in the Puget Sound area is incredibly competitive and growing more so with every passing day. Prices are skyrocketing, the supply of available homes is far outstripped by the demand, and potential buyers are dealing with the frustration of offering on multiple properties just to find they’ve been outbid every time. In many sales the accepted offer is 15% or more above the list price. This is all great news if you are selling your home; you will most likely receive multiple competing offers within days of listing. The likelihood of having potential buyers attempt to negotiate a lower price or pre-sale repairs is slim to none. Many sellers are even choosing not to accept offers that include an inspection contingency in order to minimize the risk of the sale falling through. So why on earth would you pay for a pre-listing inspection in this seller’s market? Well, there are certainly some very good reasons.
Streamlining the Closing Process
Any realtor will tell you that purchasing a home without an inspection is never a good idea. If you provide a thorough, professional report the buyer may decide to forgo their own inspection, cutting out a potential hurdle to the closing of the sale.
Increased Competition
Regardless of how desirable your property is, there is always room to maximize your profit. You might pay for landscaping and paint to improve the curb appeal of the home. Most sellers are still hiring professional stagers to furnish and decorate prior to listing. These are ways to raise buyer interest, increase competition among buyers and, ultimately, increase the sale price. Offering a home inspection report is one more marketing tool to help you garner the most interest and highest price possible for your home.
Limiting Liability
If you choose not to allow buyers access for their own inspections, there is a potential for liability down the road. If there is a significant problem with the home that is discovered by the buyer after closing, they could pursue legal action against you. Occasionally a buyer will allege that a seller was deceptive in their disclosure statement. Providing an inspection report from an insured, state licensed inspector is a way to prove that you were operating in good faith and make it very unlikely that a court would entertain a claim against you.
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