Real Estate: Should I have my home inspected prior to listing it for sale?

By Richie Vraux

So, when you are ready to sell your home, your listing agent should recommend a pre- home inspection.

There are several reasons why the answer should always be- YES! It may be a little costly up-front, (usually between $500 and $1000, but by knowing what your homes issues are in advance, can save you thousands later. Your agent can recommend a Home Inspector or two, but ultimately it is your decision.

Sometimes minor problems, fixed in advance will reduce the liability for both, the buyer, and the seller. Having done that will raise the seller’s confidence that the potential issues are fixed and will minimize the issues that the buyer can come back at you with. It just gives all parties peace of mind knowing they will not need to dole out large amounts of money in advance to selling your home.

Minor deficiencies, such as, a missing light switch plate cover or exposed wiring out of an electrical box could mean you would have to hire a licensed electrician to close it up, and we all know how expensive they might run you for a bill. It is always better to find out what your deficiencies are in advance, correct those problems in advance, rather than to hire a professional to fix it after the inspector points out all the issues in his report.

Having a pre-inspection report and fixing the issues can reduce the liability for the seller, get it sold in a timelier manner and might even award him top dollar, even more than asking price.

Also, it will reduce any chance of having to negotiate the price due to the corrections that might need to be made and the potential risk of not closing on time. It just keeps the seller on target and the buyer happy so there are not any obstacles to slow down the process.

When the inspector goes to the house, he looks at all the home’s systems: electrical, plumbing, roof, basement, structure, water leakage, signs of insect/ rodent presence both inside the home and out. He looks for any and all defects and writes a report.

If you so desire, he will check for radon air and water, water test, septic inspection, and all other systems in the home. All homes, older and new, have issues, but an inspector will look at all systems.

While newer homes have to be kept up to current municipal, state and federal code guidelines, older homes most likely are not up to current codes and standards of today, and do not need to be.

The older homes were built to municipal code when it was built. Your inspector will know this. An inspector will write his report, which usually will be accompanied with pictures showing the defects listed on a scale 1-5, with 5, being the most important to address first.

This is a good way of seeing the issues first-hand to know what order of things need to be dealt with immediately and what problems are not as extreme. An inspector will check for leakage both in the basement and in the roof. Remember, an inspector cannot inspect anything that is not visible. Ask your agent who he would recommend as an inspector and is he licensed, does he have liability insurance, E/O insurance and does he have third party coverage. These are all good questions to ask.

The agent will recommend a few inspectors they have worked with and someone they can trust. Listen to your agent here- He is the professional here. <

Richie Vraux is a broker at Maine’s Premier Team at Better Homes and Gardens-The Masiello Group With offices in Gorham and Windham. Call Richie to seek professional advice for buyers and sellers at 207-317-1297.