Advice for Home Sellers

How to Pass A Home Inspection

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Today’s Talk

REALITY CHECK

BEYOND PASS OR FAIL

SET THE STAGE

THE BIG DAY

WHAT’S NEXT?

DEAL WITH THE RESULTS

GET PROACTIVE

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REALITY CHECK

Concerned about home values

Take their time

Insist on a professional a home inspection

Expect to negotiate findings

Today’s Home Buyers:

Want to buy a home – let’s help them!

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No Home Will “Pass or Fail”

A home inspection is one of the most pivotal steps in the home sale process, but it’s not a simple “pass or fail” test. A home inspection should be:

An assessment of the major elements of the property

Performed by a trained professional

An educational opportunity for the home buyer

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What Sellers Need to Know

Home inspections generally last two or three hours, and generally cover the following:

Structural Elements

Exterior

Roof and Attic

Plumbing

Systems and Components

Electrical

Appliances

Garage

Walls, ceilings, floors, roof, and foundation

Wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fencing, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights, and exterior receptacles

Framing, ventilation, roof construction, flashing, and gutters

Pipe materials, toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, and traps

Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney, fireplace, and sprinklers

Main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans, and light fixtures

Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal, and smoke detectors

Slab, walls, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights, receptacles, exterior, windows, and roof

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Preparing The Home: Set the Stage

There are several things sellers can do to help the home inspection go smoothly, and ensure the best possible outcome:

Repairing or replacing broken, damaged, or missing items such as door knobs, locks and latches, broken window glass, damaged window screens, and missing chimney flue caps

Cleaning rain gutters and make sure downspouts are properly attached and draining away from foundation

Replacing burned out bulbs and faulty switches

Having all HVAC equipment serviced, and cleaning or replacing air filters

Moving wood or stored items away from the home’s foundation

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Preparing The Home to Be Inspected

For the convenience of all parties and to keep the deal moving along the home seller should help ensure all the inspections can be done in one visit, without interruption or the need to make a second visit to the home

Confirm utilities (electric, water, gas, fuel oil, etc.) are all on

Pilot lights for water heaters, fireplace logs etc. should be lit

Inform the inspector of any non-functioning systems

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Preparing The Home: The Final 24 Hours

There are a few things a home seller should do (and not do!) right before the inspection to make things easier for the inspector to complete the inspection:

Don’t use fireplaces and woodstoves; they should be cool and clean for inspection

Pets should be confined or removed from the home for the duration of the inspection; do not place them in a room or area that will be inspected

Leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher with detergent; the inspector will run the dishwasher as part of the inspection

Turn off any sensitive electronic equipment

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Preparing The Home: The Big Day

On the day of the inspection, make sure the inspector will have access to all major elements and areas of the home:

After the inspection is completed, sellers should make sure that any pre-programmed electronics and alarms that were deactivated have been reset

Unlock or remove locks from gates on fences, closets, or panel doors

Move any stored items away from garage or basement walls

Clear under cabinet areas and sinks for plumbing fixture inspections

Remove items that may restrict access or movement in attic or crawlspace

Make sure the electrical panel is accessible

Deactivate all security alarm systems

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What’s Next?

After the inspection is completed, the inspector will prepare his or her report and will answer questions from the buyers regarding any conditions identified. Generally you will get the results of the inspection, and then need to share the buyer’s feedback.

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Getting the Results

When provide the feedback on the inspection results, it’s important to remind your seller to remain objective;

Don’t take the report personally; all homes have flaws!

Try not to react rashly; more than any other reason, emotions can cause sales negotiations to fall apart

Focus on next steps and their response to any buyer concerns

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GET PROACTIVE – Why Wait?

Although many inspections are conducted by potential buyers after an offer has been made, having an inspection performed prior to listing your home can actually help you get to closing more quickly — and with fewer surprises.

In a volatile economic environment, more and more real estate professionals today are recommending that their sellers

conduct a pre-inspection at the time of listing, to identify potential deal-breakers,

demonstrate good faith toward buyers, and

set the home apart from others on the market.

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Pre-Inspections

Address any defects an inspector might find and have them repaired before a potential buyer even sees the house

Eliminate last-minute price negotiating and reduce the possibility of buyers getting cold feet as a result of an inspection uncovering a needed repair

Reassure buyers that what they see is what they get and speed up purchase negotiations

Reinforce the reputation of the listing Realtor, and demonstrate the serious intent of the seller

Highlight the assets of the home, pointing out major systems that have recently been updated, or repairs made

A HouseMaster Pre-inspection Will Enable Sellers To:

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HouseMaster Pre-Inspections

Promoting a home that has been Pre-Inspected will set the home apart from similar listings

HouseMaster provides Pre-Inspected yard signs as well as internet logos to identify your home as pre-inspected

Documentation regarding repairs found on the inspection should be include in the inspection report to highlight your efforts in preparing the home for sale

The HouseMaster report will be uploaded to a password protected website so it’s easy to share when you have an interested buyer

By having your home pre-inspected you significantly reduce the potential for any post sale legal issues on conditions that may develop after closing

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HouseMaster: Stands Up to Inspection

HouseMaster is the recognized authority on home inspections. Sellers must select a home inspection company with the credentials to stand up to buyer scrutiny.

Founded in 1979

More than 385 locations in North America

Nearly 2 million home inspections to date

Require E&O insurance

Require annual testing

Back report accuracy with Written Limited Guarantee*

Provide extensive technical support

*Where available

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HouseMaster Tools

Preparing your home seller for the home inspection can go along way:

“How to Pass” Hand out

Interactive Guide to Home Inspections

Onsite then Online Completed Report

Pre-Inspection Program

Referral Liability Protection

NIBI® Inspectors

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How We CAN Help

HouseMaster’s Tools help you prepare your home seller for the home inspection and:

Offer positive approach

Demonstrate value

Avoid disappointment

Close the deal!

Reduce anxiety

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Thank You!

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Contact HouseMaster

To locate a qualified home inspector in your area

CALLVISIT

1.800.526.3939www.housemaster.com