Why do buyers that perform a DIY Home Inspection end up purchasing the house more often, than a buyer that has a hired inspection? And why do sellers that do their own home inspection sell their homes in less time, and have a smoother closing process, than a seller than does not do a home inspection? Read On.
Home buyers that do their own DIY Home Inspection are less likely to develop a list of repairs and concerns as large as a hired Home Inspectors list of repairs and concerns.
Why is that? A buyer doing their own Home Inspection, with a good inspection guide (instruction) and report will see defects that they know they are capable of correcting, or they have a friend or relative that can makes these repairs.
Consequently, the defects are not listed on their inspection report.
Another reason: After signing an earnest money agreement, home buyers, often talk and plan on remodeling certain areas of their new home.
They are not concerned at all with these areas, while inspecting.
Defects found in these areas are rarely on their report.
While a hired inspector will list everything he can find to limit his liability.
And last but not least, the dialog between the hired Home Inspector and the buyer, while discussing issues found, can "kill deals".
The communications by the Home Inspector needs to be handled just right and delicately, or the buyer ends up with a bleak picture of the home, when in fact the home is a solid home.
A Buyer doing their own DIY Home Inspection gives them more free time in their new home and they will know the home better and have a better understanding of the working components.
This builds a stronger tie between the buyer and the home.
A good DIY Home Inspection Report should have included, a "Pre-Inspection Agreement".
The Pre-Inspection Agreement should be written to eliminate any liability between you, (the Realtor), and your client (buyer or seller).
Your client would simply read and sign the agreement and give you a copy for your records.
Most DIY Home Inspection Reports on the market do not have instructions to guide your client through their inspection or a Pre-inspection Agreement.
They consist of a checklist only, without an instruction guide.
These Inspection Reports are useless unless the user has a good back ground in construction and the working components of a home.
Today, many Realtors are recommending to their home sellers, to have a Home Inspection before, or at the time it is listed.
And for good reasons, statistics will show homes that have had a Pre-Inspection before the listing, have sold faster, because the buyer has more confidence in the home, especially if the seller is willing to do an inspection on the home they are selling.
The seller is being "up front" about the home.
For the Realtor, knowing what defects are present gives you and the seller time to discuss what should be fixed and what should not, (perhaps sell As Is).
And, it allows the seller to do their own repairs or shop for the best price for the repairs.
The seller's inspection will provide an accurate and complete disclosure protection for the Realtor and the seller.
It may also be used to help the seller rethink the selling price of the home.
A good selling point for sellers is to have your completed Inspection Report available for buyers when they walk through.
Always leave the completed report in a conspicuous place.
Reading this Report is valuable to the potential buyer and shows the seller is up front about the home and its condition.
The report will show defects and if they have been corrected, it is suggested to give them that update in the report as well.
A Buyer or Seller does not have to be an expert to diagnose many problems found in a home and most repairs have do-it-yourself remedies.