So, it’s time to sell your home. Your real estate agent has convinced you of why your house might need a thorough inspection by qualified home inspectors. This benefits both you, the seller and, the prospective home buyer. It’s a critical step in the home-buying process. If done properly, a comprehensive home inspection report can reveal potential issues and needed repair works. This would provide peace of mind to all parties involved.
You have gone through the report, contacted licensed contractors and requested repairs to be done. You double checked and you made sure they were all fixed properly. So why on God’s good earth could there be a need for a home re-inspection? In this article, we will explore why re-inspections may be needed. We will also share some valuable tips on how sellers can avoid a house re-inspection (because who likes spending money on the same thing twice?).
Why Re-Inspections May Be Necessary
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Inaccessible Areas:
In our years of providing our home inspection services to our thousands of satisfied clients, in rare cases, some areas of the home have been inaccessible because of clutter or locked doors. In all types of inspections, the inspectors need access to every part of the property to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. A re-inspection may be required when access issues are resolved.
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Utilities Turned Off:
As much as we fame ourselves to be a super home inspection company, our powers are limited by some elements. Where the water, gas, or electricity utilities are turned off during the first inspection, critical utility systems check like the water heater, furnace, or electrical components cannot be done. Sellers may need to schedule a re-inspection once these utilities are back on.
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Verified Repairs:
After the initial inspection is done, and necessary repairs have been highlighted in the inspection report, some sellers agree to make specific repairs as part of the purchase agreement. In that case, it is important a re-inspection is scheduled. This is often requested to confirm that the repairs were completed to industry standard. This helps ensure that buyers are getting value for their money and that the seller is getting what was negotiated for with the contractor.
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Systems Not Functioning:
There have been rare, reported cases where systems, tools or appliances may not be functioning properly on the day of the initial inspection (of all days to choose to breakdown). A thermal imaging camera may be working fine before leaving the workshop and on getting to the site for the inspection, may decide it’s not in the mood to work. It may be all sunshine one minute ago, and typical to Texas weather, for example, a storm could make it impossible to fly a drone.
Think of the worst thing an appliance could do, and it is probably going to happen or has happened at an inspection site. In such an event, a re-inspection is both inevitable and valuable to confirm complete resolution of repairs and a holistic valuation on the property, thus, providing buyers with confidence in their purchase.
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Our Friendly Service:
From our thousands of reviews, we can confidently say many people can’t be wrong about our friendly approach to satisfying our clients. For this reason, some people may call us over for a nice cup of coffee or warm soup and not necessarily need an inspection. We are available for that. Just shoot us an invite and we could drop by if we are in the neighborhood at no extra cost to you (obviously).
Read Also: A Guide to Home Inspections: What to Expect
How Sellers Can Avoid Re-Inspections
Where it is avoidable, it is best to prevent a re-inspection. So, what can the buyer do to reduce the likelihood of a home re-inspection?
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Accessibility:
Prior to the day of the initial inspection, sellers should ensure that all areas of the property are easily accessible. Clear all clutter from crawl spaces, attics, and other important areas that the inspector needs to examine. If you need help clearing out the clutter and looking for the right hands, our concierge service can recommend trusted service providers to give bespoke help in improving the accessibility of the property prior to the initial inspection.
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Utilities:
Kindly ensure that all utilities (water, gas, and electricity) are turned on and functioning properly on the day of the inspection. Make sure pilot lights are lit, and all systems are operational.
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Quality Repairs:
If repairs have been agreed on, endeavor to hire qualified professionals to complete the work to industry standard. There is always someone who can do it cheaper, but that doesn’t make it the best quality of work. Do not be penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to home repairs. Keep documentation of the repairs, including receipts and any warranties.
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Routine Maintenance:
Regularly maintain your home. Perform frequent maintenance checks and address known issues immediately to keep your property in good condition and prevent heavy repair costs. This can further prevent surprising problems during the inspection.
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Cleanliness:
A clean and well-maintained home is easier to inspect. Keep the property tidy, fix minor issues, and consider a pre-inspection cleaning to present your home in the best possible light.
As much as we enjoy spending time with you when we come around for your home inspection, we want to save you the cost that a re-inspection may accrue. We also want to ensure peace of mind and confidence for the buyer, seller and agent. By taking these steps, sellers can significantly reduce the chances of a re-inspection, save time and money, foster a smoother closing process, and a smoother real estate transaction overall.
Top 10 Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for a Home Inspection
