A house is a large investment. It is more than a shelter and a place to live. It is where a family gathers to celebrate special occasions and where children grow up. For most people, a house is the cornerstone of their life where lasting memories are made.
As a REALTOR®, it is your duty to ensure buyers buy houses in good condition. You can do this by advising them to hire home inspectors to perform inspections. Home inspections help buyers avoid nasty surprises in the future. A home may look perfect on the surface but conceal a lot of problems. Qualified home inspectors have the training and experience needed to help homebuyers make informed decisions. Here are some major ways a home inspection helps buyers.
A home inspector can assess major defects, safety concerns, and potential threats. He can pinpoint problems and offer suggestions on how to deal with them. He can also identify code violations on the property. This information can help a homebuyer make an accurate decision. A buyer may think he’s buying a perfect home but trouble may be lurking under the drywall. Experienced home inspectors can spot the most subtle signs and identify what’s behind a wall without having to open it up.
Home inspections pay for themselves in savings. Buyers can save money by telling sellers to cater for the repairs. Things like safety hazards, poor structural designs, water leakage in basements, and spoilt appliances can end up costing buyers a lot of money. A home inspector can spot such defects and save buyers these expenses.
Many homeowners usually take the necessary steps to ensure their homes are safe and habitable. However, they may put extra effort to ensure their homes pass home inspections. Home inspectors are thorough and make homebuyers’ safety their number one goal. Sellers know this and will do all they can to ensure their homes are in tiptop condition.
After the home inspector completes his job, he provides a report. This can help you to determine whether there are major problems with the home. If there are, you can negotiate for a lower price on behalf of your client or discuss with the homeowner on how the problems will be fixed.
Home inspections aren’t just for present circumstances; they can be used as tools for future planning. You can use this point to convince buyers who are unsure of hiring a home inspector. Tell them that the money they spend on a home inspection now may save them costly repairs down the road. An inspection can also be used as a tool for future planning especially in an older home that may require upgrades. A detailed one can tell the buyer the “life expectancy” for things like the furnace, roof, and appliances.
A home inspection assists in the sales process by making buyers feel certain about their purchase. It makes them happy and satisfied and eliminates buyer’s remorse. Additionally, when you advise a buyer to have a home inspected, it makes you look more professional in their eyes. Home inspections are invaluable to homebuyers. Buying a home is a big decision for any person so it is important to have it evaluated first. A home inspection is the best way to avoid buyer’s remorse. It helps buyers save money and gives them peace of mind.
For more tips to help your buyers, look to the iHOUSE blog for realty ideas to pass along to them.
Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.