Selling a home can often have moments of tension. Your property is probably your most significant financial asset, and you want to maximize its value.
There are periods of great anticipation when prospective buyers walk through your home, and it’s common for things to get a little tense, especially around price negotiation.
Another point of anxiety can be when a prospective buyer sends around their building inspector. As an experienced agent, it’s my job to keep you tension-free, so I’ll work with you to head off any potential drama or surprise.
But it can help to consider the issue through the eyes of a buyer. Any responsibly written Contract of Sale is likely to make a successful building report contingent on the transaction moving forward.
Detrimental findings in an inspector’s report can nix a sale, or encourage the buyer to return to the negotiation table to ask for a lower price to pay for fixing any issues found.
This can be annoying, but a buyer would be crazy to purchase a property without seeking and accepting the advice of construction and pest control professionals. Often, their lender will demand these checks are carried out anyway.
So here are five ways to keep cool around inspection time.
Be ready
Your home will be scrutinized, 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 me as your agent. We can then discuss how to get a quote for the work and make the decision if it’s best for you to pay for it, or to see how impacts on the negotiation.
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 mold that might have accumulated on vents. Clean the windows, too. It’s incredible how much light comes into your home when the grime is gone. It can help encourage a favorable report.
I hope you’ve found these tips helpful. If I can help you secure your dream home or sell your existing property, please do not hesitate to contact me. We can discuss buyer preferences, value-add upgrades, prices trends in our area and the way to maximize your current property’s value.