Happy New Year!
As a new year begins, homeowners often start thinking about whether or not to sell. A key component to selling for top doillar is making sure your home is read for the Buyers' Home Inspection. The best way to do this is through a thorough evaluation of your home and repairs or improvments that will help yield the best report. A well skilled, knowledgeable agent can help with this.
First off, I remind all of my clients the reason for a home inspection. When a buyer tours a home and makes an offer, it is based on what can be seen. Once an offer is negotiated and executed, then the Inspection Period begins. This allows the buyer to bring a certified inspector to evaluate the home for any problem areas, especially those that are NOT readily seen. In Florida, Wind Mitigation and Four Point Inspection reports are also issued for insurance purposes and can affect the requested seller credits if they are not uo to par.
I always ask my buyers to base their initial offer on the esthetics that can be seen. In the same way, I do not ask my sellers to negotiate inspections on items such as, "the kitchen needs to be updated, or the floors need to be replaced, or the light fixtures are not my style." These are personal choices that while they can affect the value shoud be thought about initially prior to the offer.
If there are deficiencies uncovered through the inpections such as, a leaky roof, malfunctioning appliances or AC, mold, a sinking or shifting foundation, or anything major such as plumbing or electric, and especially items hazardous in nature are the items that should be dealt with. My personal preference is always, no matter the side of the transaction is to deal woth these issues through credits to closing. This saves for issues later on as to whether or not the repairs were done correctly, by code, with high quality technicians, etc. Occasionally, there will be an issue that must be repaired so that an insurance policy can be bound. In this case, the buyer and seller msut agree on the terms of the repiar.
Here is a quick list of items to check and/ or have repaired or serviced if necessary:
-Make sure all appliances that will convey witht he home are properly functioning.
-Always a good idea to have your HVAC system serviced and a new filter installed.
-Make sure windows can be opened easily and have the appropriate panels for storms, if they are not impact.
-Make sure light fixtures have working bulbs.
-If there is a pool, make sure it has been cleaned and has appropriate chemicals so it is not green.
-Touch up paint if necessary.
- Have home cleaned and decluttered. A house free from piles of junk and clean will always make a better first impression to an inspector and also later on, the appraiser.
I do walk throughs with all of my sellers prior to listing the house and assist them when necessary to get items repaired.
Happy Selling! I am always available to answer questions.