Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Crystal L. Cox on 01-02-08
Sellers – Will Getting an inspection Before you List Help your Real Estate for Sale to Stand Out ?
If you wish to use an inspection to fix or to disclose problems, than I say yes get an inspection before you list. However, I don’t think an inspection will really give you a marketing advantage. It is Legally best for all parties, if a Buyer gets their own inspection. A buyer may feel you have hired an inspection yourself in order to hide something. And using an inspection in marketing may just backfire on you.
Also getting Bids ahead of time for known problems can lead to future problems. The buyer may use your bid in order to plan financially. But what if they use the Contractor that you got the bid from and they do a Bad Job. Who is liable for this?
I would use extreme caution on this.
Also I have NEVER had faith in home inspections. Yes, they can point out major problems but in my experience they want to get paid and do not really resist the sale. I have had inspectors ask me which way I wanted an inspection to go. I have had inspectors miss MAJOR problems. And at this point in my real estate career I DON’T feel a home inspection will protect you from a Seller’s or a Realtor’s lies or omitted information. An inspection will NOT protect you from Structural or Mechanical defects.
I also do not believe that a Seller getting a home inspection before they list will Show ANY kind of due diligence on their part or prove in any way that they sincerely tried to find ALL problems so that they could have FULL disclosure.
A home inspector will say what a Seller pays them to say. I would like to think that a home inspector is impartial. However, I have yet to see that happen in Real Life.
So get an inspection before you list IF you intend to fix The Problems, to back off on the Price for the Real Cost to Really Fix the Problems or if you NEED to know so you can disclose. But Don’t get a home inspection thinking that it gives you a marketing edge. It Simply Does Not.
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By Chris Fraser on 01-04-08
I appreciate your feedback, and you have provided some interesting points. I know that intent and motive is a big part of the law; so is disclosure. My point isn’t so much on the disclosure side, however to the potential marketing side.
Personally, I have had success with this approach, and always recommend buyers get their own inspection from their own inspector; as for bids too. But I think that this approach sets the stage for open dialogue about a property. When you have tremendous supply on the market, sellers need to
make their houses stand out. Also, if you can avoid hidden issues with the property up front, it could lead to a smoother transaction.
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Comments on: Sellers, Get an Inspection Before you List!
Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Crystal L. Cox on 01-02-08
Sellers – Will Getting an inspection Before you List Help your Real Estate for Sale to Stand Out ?
If you wish to use an inspection to fix or to disclose problems, than I say yes get an inspection before you list. However, I don’t think an inspection will really give you a marketing advantage. It is Legally best for all parties, if a Buyer gets their own inspection. A buyer may feel you have hired an inspection yourself in order to hide something. And using an inspection in marketing may just backfire on you.
Also getting Bids ahead of time for known problems can lead to future problems. The buyer may use your bid in order to plan financially. But what if they use the Contractor that you got the bid from and they do a Bad Job. Who is liable for this?
I would use extreme caution on this.
Also I have NEVER had faith in home inspections. Yes, they can point out major problems but in my experience they want to get paid and do not really resist the sale. I have had inspectors ask me which way I wanted an inspection to go. I have had inspectors miss MAJOR problems. And at this point in my real estate career I DON’T feel a home inspection will protect you from a Seller’s or a Realtor’s lies or omitted information. An inspection will NOT protect you from Structural or Mechanical defects.
I also do not believe that a Seller getting a home inspection before they list will Show ANY kind of due diligence on their part or prove in any way that they sincerely tried to find ALL problems so that they could have FULL disclosure.
A home inspector will say what a Seller pays them to say. I would like to think that a home inspector is impartial. However, I have yet to see that happen in Real Life.
So get an inspection before you list IF you intend to fix The Problems, to back off on the Price for the Real Cost to Really Fix the Problems or if you NEED to know so you can disclose. But Don’t get a home inspection thinking that it gives you a marketing edge. It Simply Does Not.
By Chris Fraser on 01-04-08
I appreciate your feedback, and you have provided some interesting points. I know that intent and motive is a big part of the law; so is disclosure. My point isn’t so much on the disclosure side, however to the potential marketing side.
Personally, I have had success with this approach, and always recommend buyers get their own inspection from their own inspector; as for bids too. But I think that this approach sets the stage for open dialogue about a property. When you have tremendous supply on the market, sellers need to
make their houses stand out. Also, if you can avoid hidden issues with the property up front, it could lead to a smoother transaction.