Home Inspection & Negotiations for Home Buyers
Home sellers typically become less stressed once the price and terms of their home sale are in place, and all the purchase contract signatures are in place. It’s a happy moment, and yes, it’s a moment. To follow is the Inspection Period, a time when many contracts fall apart. This is where having a Certified Negotiations Expert pays off for the second time.
Home owners often believe their home is nearly perfect. Sure, there may be a few minor things that could use a little touch up maybe minor repair needed here and there. But, they’re not selling a new home. As much as all that may be true, most buyers panic when they review their inspection report. There are typically a list of items that are not up to current code, plus aged mechanicals an inspector recommends replacement of, electrical grounding issues, grading concerns, non-functioning items and more. It can be even worse if the inspection is completed by someone we in business call an ‘alarmist’.
This is another area when a seasoned, well-experienced real estate professional can make all the difference. Buyers typically requests the seller to make repairs and often include almost every item on the inspection report. Having an agent on your side who is familiar with current building codes and who has the experience to differentiate between current building codes and those applicable when the structure was built can be a strong negotiating tool, and, a major costs savings for the seller. For a seller with a naïve agent, addressing mechanical improvements, code deficiencies, structural deficiencies and cosmetic deficiencies can become very costly. A seller wants to make sure his or her agent is well versed in inspection negotiations and can decipher what is typical and what is concerning. Strong communications and expert negotiating skill-sets are key.
What if you were prepared?
I believe part of my job for you is to help you avoid too many “surprises” related to your property’s condition, prior to any professional inspection being completed by a buyer. Before we list your home for sale I’ll do a complete ‘walk through’ of your home with you to note any items which appear concerning, based on my extensive history with and knowledge of property inspections. Having been a homeowner and completing too many remodeling projects to count, coupled with more than a decade of experience with home inspectors, I have a great eye in finding the concerns, big and small, that set off alarms for inspectors and buyers alike.
Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Inspection I’ll do our best to give you information about what I see inspectors may note as deficient. Correcting the little things can shorten the list of concerns the inspector hands the buyer that can take an inspection from ‘overwhelming and alarming’ to ‘within expectations’.
After the Home Inspection
Of course, there may be things the buyer wants repaired. We’ll prepare for this when negotiating the offer by maintain a little padding for items such as these.
Once a buyer completes their inspection, I’ll meet with you to go over the buyer’s objections/requirements and develop a counter strategy. If there are no objections or they’re minor in nature and cost, you may opt to agree to corrections. However, if they’re more extensive, my job will be to assist in validating the findings, applying a true value to the repairs and then seek common ground between the buyer and you, employing proven negotiating strategies and effective negotiation tactics. With homework, subject knowledge and total discipline, I'll work to keep the deal intact and keep us moving towards the closing table.
A Full List of Resources
Before listing or after the inspection, I can supply you with a full list of contractors, electricians, plumbers and other home repair technicians. Having these resources offers you an opportunity to evaluate costs and make repairs within budget.