Sell
Home Inspections and Appraisals
Author: Nikki | November 14, 2019
Inspections & Appraisals:
The inspection and appraisal are among the most important steps in selling your home. Potential buyers need to know about any underlying issues with the house before they can feel confident in making an offer and finalizing the sale. Get Movin Realty helps sellers prepare for inspections and appraisals with help from experienced Realtors and recommended service providers who can walk you through the process from start to finish.
Common Types of Inspections
When you receive an offer from a buyer, it will often come with a request to have one or more inspections. Because the seller typically pays for inspections and any resulting repairs, it’s important to know the common issues buyers look for so you can separate reasonable requests from excessive demands. Typical issues covered by inspections include:
- Mold: Having mold in your house can cause health complications. It often grows in poorly ventilated areas, such as basements and bathrooms.
- Radon: This radioactive gas can cause cancer and is commonly found in air and water.
- Structural problems: Buyers must be aware of any damage to foundations or other support structures, as these repairs can be costly.
- Lead paint: Sellers are required to complete a form that identifies the presence or absence of lead paint. Additionally, you may note that you cannot prove or deny the existence of lead paint.
Prepping Your House for an Inspection
Inspections are a hurdle that you must pass before selling a home. It’s best to make the process as simple as possible for the inspector and buyer by following these tips:
- Do not try to hide any issues in your house. A good inspector will sniff out any attempts to conceal a problem, and you could risk violating the law. It’s better to simply pay for the repairs or accept a lower selling price than take this risk.
- Clear out areas where the inspector will be looking, such as your basement or closet. This will allow the inspection to move along faster and show you have nothing to hide.
- Keep the power on if you have already moved out. The inspector will be able to see everything much more easily and won’t have to check the light fixtures to see if they function properly.
Appraisal Basics
Along with a home inspection, sellers will also have their property appraised. An appraisal is conducted by an independent third party and provides an overall value of the house. This is used as a reassurance to the buyer that the value is similar to your asking price. The buyer will pay for this service, and you usually won’t learn the number that the appraiser named unless it is below the mortgage amount. In that event, the buyer may wish to negotiate a lower offer to match the appraised value.
Get Your House Ready to Sell
Preparing for inspections and appraisals helps speed the timeline for selling your home. To learn more about licensed inspectors and appraisers, visit our service provider listings today. Have questions about your inspection, appraisal, or other aspects of selling your home? Contact Get Movin Realty today for more information.