RE: Most Popular Inspection Requests
I hear from my clients that the inspection process seems daunting but with the right agent, it really doesn't have to be! Here are pointers to ease the pain...
1. Hire a knowledgable, experienced, professional home inspector. Inspectors do not have the same training/education requirements that other real estate professionals have so it's very important to hire someone who has been referred. Anyone can add their services online but that doesn't mean they are qualified. A good inspector will outline the hot button items needing immediate attention along with other items that are minor but should be monitored for potential future correction.
2. Know the market. We have been in a heavy sellers market for many years now and with this market, the sellers have the upper hand on the inspection process. They hold the power on what items they are willing to repair/replace or flat out not do anything at all.
3. Similar to knowing the market, the most popular inspection requests to get sellers to agree to are ones dealing with the health and safety of the home occupants and the major components of the home. If the request is cosmetic in nature, you can almost guarantee it will get tossed out of consideration.
Below are the top inspection requests that sellers agree to:
-> cleaning/servicing HVAC (air conditioner, furnace, hot water heater): ensure functionality and safety.
-> cleaning/servicing fireplace: ensure functionality and safety.
-> Plumbing items: fixing water leaks are typically agreed to because leaking water can cause mold, which is a very serious health issue.
-> Roof: it's never a pleasant one to come up on an inspection report but if the roof is in terrible condition, it's possible the buyer will not be able to obtain homeowners insurance and without insurance, the lender will not loan the funds to purchase the home making the entire transaction fall apart very quickly. The good part about replacing the roof is it typically doesn't cost the seller more than their insurance deductible and then the buyer gets a brand new roof.
-> Electrical: this is another scary one because faulty electrical items can easily start a fire, which is obviously a major safety concern. If a seller is aware of bad electrical and doesn't fix it, they are more likely to face a lawsuit in the event there is a fire. Overall, not one to play around with.
-> Radon: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. If the test result comes in over 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system in order to remove the radon gases from your home or reducing them to "safe" levels. Having a home tested for the radon level is very important to know if it's appropriate to request a system be installed (roughly $800-$1,000.)
There you have it! I hope this helps to make the inspection process less daunting and a more enjoyable experience!
As always, if you ever have any questions, please ask me. I'm ALWAYS happy to help!! Kylie
