Selling a home always produces excitement and tension – and that’s only natural. Your property is probably your most significant financial asset, and you want to maximise its value.
There are periods of great anticipation when prospective buyers walk through your home and imagine themselves living there. But sometimes these moments might get a little tense, especially around price negotiation.
It’s best to try and stay calm throughout the process. As experienced agents, it’s our job to reduce your anxiety and keep you up to date with the negotiations – and that means presenting you with all serious offers even if some of them are not what you hoped for. (So don’t shoot the messenger!)
Some homeowners get a little nervous when a prospective buyer sends around their building inspector. But there should be no need for concern as we will have worked with you to head off any potential drama or surprise.
Let’s consider this situation from the buyer’s perspective or a moment. It’s common practice for buyers to make the offer contingent to a satisfactory building and pest report being provided and often their lender will demand these checks are carried out.
Detrimental findings in an inspector’s report can end the sale. It might encourage the buyer to return to the negotiation table to ask for a lower price to pay for fixing the issues. Or it could affect the buyer’s ability to get their finance approved.
Here are some tips for preparing for a building inspection.
- Be ready – Your home will be scrutinised, so have patience throughout the various checks – but keep tabs on the contract deadlines. Don’t let these slip.
- Nothing personal – The inspection report assesses a home’s condition. It’s not a report card on how good a homeowner you’ve been or a “pass or fail” test. You may be used to your home’s quirks, but a buyer isn’t. Minor things will crop up, so don’t take anything personally.
- Sweeten deal – If you know some of the basics, such as the wiring, need attention, tell us as your agent. A good agent will suggest you get a quote for the work and then help you decide whether to pay for the work or see how the cards fall.
- Keep receipts – If you’ve already undertaken upgrades, keep your receipts and produce them as proof that you’ve addressed issues that had previously existed. This should give the buyer comfort.
- Have a spring clean – When an inspector comes, make a good impression. Declutter, open the windows and let in the fresh air. Clean ceiling fans and watch out for mould that might have accumulated on vents. Clean the windows, too. Paying attention to these details can impress the building inspector too.