Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do I have to repair everything wrong with the house?
- What is a listing inspection?
- Do I really need an inspection?
- Is there anything to do better to maintain my home?
- How do I locate a qualified inspector?
- How do I know how much to ask for my home?
- Shouldn’t I just price my house a little high and drop the price later?
- How can I help my home sell faster?
- Is it possible to get out of a contract?
Do I have to repair everything wrong with the house?
A listing inspection report is not intended to be a repair list for the home. Sellers are not obligated to repair conditions noted in the report, nor are they required to produce a flawless house. With a pre-listing home inspection, potential repair items already known by both parties are subject to any negotiations. A home seller can make repairs as a matter of choice, not obligation; to foster good will or to facilitate the sale. Sellers maintain the legal right to refuse repair demands, except where requirements are set forth by state law, local ordinance, or the real estate purchase contract
What is a listing inspection?
An inspection consists of a non-invasive physical examination of a homes systems, structures and components intended to identify material defects that exist at the time of inspection. The heating and cooling equipment is activated along with operating plumbing fixtures, testing accessible electrical outlets and fixtures, and operating a representative sampling of doors and windows. Visual inspection of the roof, walls and drainage adjacent to the home are included. Because of the wide range of construction practices and the “normal†wear and tear placed on the components of home, a professional home inspection can help provide a wealth of information to a home seller anxious to convey the condition of their home to perspective buyers.
Do I really need an inspection?
As a seller, if you have owned your property for a period of time, an inspection can help identify potential problems and recommend preventive measures, which might avoid future expensive repairs. There is no such thing as a home that is too new or too well built to benefit from a professional inspection. Anyone advising against an inspection is doing a disservice to the home buyer. Many problems frequently encountered after the buyer moves in, are a routine discovery for a qualified home inspection.
Is there anything to do better to maintain my home?
Inspection reports often identify the same neglected maintenance items. Performing some basic maintenance can help keep your home in better condition, thus reduce the chance of those conditions showing up on the inspection report. To present a better maintained home to perspective buyers follow these tips from the Phoenix Real Estate Inspection Association. Most of these items can be accomplished with little or no cost, while the benefits of selling a well maintained home can be worth the effort.
- Clean both rain gutters and any roof debris and trim back excessive foliage from the exterior siding.
- Divert all water away from the house (for example, rain-gutter downspouts, sump pump discharge locations, and clean out garage and basement interiors.
- Clean or replace all furnace filters.
- Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding (preferable 6-8 inches of clearance).
- Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around trim, chimneys, windows, doors, and all exterior wall penetrations.
- Make sure all windows and doors are in proper operating condition; replace cracked windowpanes.
- Replace burned out light bulbs.
- Make sure all of the plumbing fixtures are in spotless condition (toilets, tubs, showers, sinks) and in proper working order (repair leaks).
- Provide clear access to both attic and foundation crawl spaces, heating/cooling systems, water heater/s, electrical main and distribution panels and remove the car/s from the garage.
- And finally, if the house is vacant make sure that all utilities are turned on. Should the water, gas or electric be off at the time of inspection the inspector will not turn them on. Therefore, the inspection process will be incomplete, which may possibly affect the time frame in removing sales contract contingencies.
How do I locate a qualified inspector?
It is imperative that the seller secures the services of a qualified home inspector. Make sure to hire an inspector who is both trained and experienced in home inspection, maintains proper insurance, and is a member of a professional association and someone who is certified In Phoenix.
Please visit American Society of Home Inspectors online to find an inspector in your area.
Home inspection is a relatively new profession in Phoenix and thus far not licensed by the state. At present, anyone can claim to be a home inspector. Therefore, you must exercise extreme care and cautious consideration before hiring just anyone.
How do I know how much to ask for my home?
This is where an agent comes in handy. Setting an asking price is tricky because you don’t want to ask too much nor do you want to ask too little. The following list includes factors that help determine the asking price of your home:
- What other homes have sold for
- How quickly homes have sold
- How quickly you need to sell
- Market Conditions
- Homes you are competing against
- How many buyers are looking
- The condition of your home; does it need a lot of repairs?
- Your homes curb appeal; does it stand out?
- Your homes availability for showing
- The type of home
Shouldn’t I just price my house a little high and drop the price later?
During the first few week a house in on the market, it will have the most activity. So, if the house is overpriced, its competing with houses within that higher price level. These houses, in comparison to yours, will not have the same characteristics. size, features, etc. Your house will look unattractive in comparison to the competition, and it will be unlikely you’ll attract an offer. You don’t want to keep a house on the market too long and have to keep lowering the price; it willl make buyers suspicious and not want to give the house a chance.
How can I help my home sell faster?
It’s all about first impressions. If you consider doing the following, you’ll be on the right track:
- Set the right asking price, not too high and not too low. Compare your price to other homes on the market with the same characteristics as yours.
- Make sure your home is clean, spotless and always ready and available to be shown.
- When buyers are around, leave the house to give the buyers time to linger and take in the best features of your home, as well as allow them to picture that house as their own. If you are there, they can’t do that.
Is it possible to get out of a contract?
Yes; it’s called an contingency clause, or a kick-out or knockout clause. This provision allows the party to void the contract. Both the seller and the buyer have the right to look for a more favorable offer and cancel the contract.
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