WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION?

If you’re considering selling your Montana home, there’s one trick that could make it even more appealing to buyers: a pre-listing home inspection.

In today’s competitive real estate market, many sellers want to streamline their home sale process. Fortunately, a pre-listing inspection is a great way to do that. In addition to allowing you to get a jump start on any needed repairs or areas of concern, a pre-listing inspection decreases the chance that an eventual sale will fall apart due to issues in an inspection report.

Even if the buyer eventually wants another report (we always advise buyers not to waive a home inspection), you can rest easy knowing you’ve already identified or repaired any major concerns.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of home inspections, and why you should always invest in a pre-listing inspection.

Let’s dive in.

4 Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

Whether you’re a first-time seller or an experienced real estate pro, a pre-listing home inspection offers many perks. Here are a few of the most pronounced:

1. You’ll sell your home faster

A home inspection serves one major purpose for buyers: it gives you a heads-up about what buyers will notice and want fixed in your home. Investing in a pre-listing home inspection allows you to check off boxes like a mold test and radon test and identify existing issues in your home. That way, you can fix them before the home goes on the market, and be assured that you’ll sell your home quickly and for a fair full price. This, in turn, means your home will sell faster and that the sale will be more streamlined.

2. You’ll see fewer negotiations

Without a pre-listing home inspection, a buyer will likely order their own home inspection. If issues come up during this inspection, the buyer will likely negotiate to have the problems fixed before the sale or will want you to decrease the sale price of the home.

This back-and-forth can cost you money and draw out the sales process. When you invest in a pre-listing inspection, you can eliminate these concerns and streamline the sale.

3. Pricing will be easier

There are many factors that impact pricing, from neighborhood “comps” to the home’s condition. Fortunately, pricing a well-inspected home is easy and straightforward. Because you’ve already evaluated the home’s condition and identified or fixed any major existing issues, you’ll be able to price your home accurately and attract buyers who are willing to pay a fair full price.

4. You’ll attract more buyers

In addition to decreasing workload for buyers, investing in a pre-listing home inspection communicates that you care, and that you’re a responsible seller. This, in turn, attracts more qualified buyers. After all, who doesn’t want to purchase a home that’s been well cared for and maintained?

How Home Inspections Work

During a home inspection, a qualified, trained home inspector will conduct a visual inspection of your home, including the following systems and areas:

• Major appliances

• HVAC system

• Sealing around doors and windows

• Your home’s plumbing and electrical systems

• The structure and covering of your roof

• The home’s flooring

• Walls and structural supports

• The home’s foundation

• The home’s basement and attic

• And more

Additionally, a home inspector may conduct a mold test and/or a radon test to ensure that mold or toxic gas isn’t present in your home. Once the inspector has finished the inspection process, they’ll provide you with a written report that you can use to guide your home repairs or make your home more attractive to a home buyer.

How to Choose a Home Inspector

Once you’ve decided to have a pre-listing home inspection, you’ll need to find the right Montana home inspector for you. Here are a few tips to choose the perfect match:

• Ask around. If you have friends who have recently sold homes, ask around to see if any of them have home inspectors they’d recommend. You can find great professionals via word-of-mouth.

• Look for membership in professional organizations. Look for inspectors who are members of reputable professional organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers. Membership in any of these organizations is a good indicator of quality and reliability in a home inspector.

• Ask for a sample report. Before you pay a home inspector, ask to see a sample report that the team has done on a house like yours. This sample report will help you see what the home inspector identifies and what they intend to inspect in your home. It’ll also demonstrate how they communicate information and what level of detail you can expect.

• Consider experience. Look for someone who has been a home inspector in your area for a while. After all, a state like Montana has many unique concerns and considerations, and you’ll want to work with a company that knows how to look for the problems that can arise in this climate.

• Read reviews. Once you’ve found someone you like, read their online reviews. You should expect to find generally good reviews left by satisfied customers. Beware of any company with many negative customer reviews.

• Go with your gut. Ultimately, you want to work with a company you like and trust. Look for a home inspector who answers your questions honestly and takes the time to build a relationship with you. Selling your home is a big deal, and your home inspector will be an important part of that process.

406 Home Inspection Pros: Here for all of Your Pre-Listing Home Inspections

When it comes time to sell your home, contact 406 Home Inspection Pros for your pre-listing home inspection. Our team provides the comprehensive, reliable inspection services you need. Let us help you identify issues in your home before your property hits the market.

Whether you’re selling a large home or a little historic bungalow, our team will look for issues like mold, radon, foundation cracks, plumbing and HVAC issues, and more. The result is a comprehensive, detailed home inspection you can count on.

Ready to learn more? Contact our team to book your inspection now.