Is A Home Pre-Inspection Right For Me?

Homeowner Pre-Inspection

If you've ever sold or purchased a home, you have heard the term 'home inspection'. In the transaction of a residential home, where the means for purchasing the home is through a mortgage, it's safe to assume the lender will require a home inspection. For the buyer, it is protection. It's an objective evaluation of a home's structure and systems, from top to bottom, including items like heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical, roof, attic, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, etc.

What is a Pre-Inspection?

More and more frequently, homebuyers are having home inspections performed prior to investing in a property. This is what's commonly referred to as a Pre-Inspection. While home inspectors do not suggest whether a buyer should or shouldn't purchase, their conclusions carry substantial weight.

Why Would a Homeowner Order a Pre-Inspection?

Traditionally, inspections are ordered at the request of the homebuyer/lender. But more recently, home sellers are ordering pre-inspections prior to listing their home. It's a great way to head off issues BEFORE the homeowner discovers them. This could potentially boost the value of your home, lead to a smoother transaction after the home gets a contract, and also give the home seller peace of mind when it comes to home inspection time. Sometimes having a third party professional assess a home can open the home seller's eyes to points which may have been overlooked. Individuals who live in a home get used to the property and may not see problems which a possible buyer might. There are certainly cases where the homeowner is utterly unaware that a problem exists. When was the last time you crawled into your attic looking for mold and appropriate ventilation? A professional home inspector is trained to find what you and I frequently don't even notice. With no vested interest in the sale of the real estate, the pre-inspector helps the seller to determine what needs attention prior to putting their house on the market.

Is a Home Pre-Inspection Right For Me?

On average, a pre-inspection will cost $200 to $500. It may seem like a lot of cash out of pocket, but it could end up saving you tons of time and money in the long run. Have a discussion with your trusted real estate agent about the pros and cons of investing in a pre-inspection. If you choose to have one done, be selective about which company you hire. Make sure they are licensed and ask questions! What kind of experience do they have? How many inspections and pre-inspections have they conducted? What kind of training and credentials do their inspectors receive? Look for firms who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors. As a seller, an unprejudiced analysis of your property's state will be highly beneficial when placing it on the market. Knowing in advance what objections, if any, are likely to come up will help you cope with them in a way which won't setback the selling of your property.