There is a relatively common, but innovative way and useful marketing tool for the homeowner that is interested in aggressively selling a home, a professional home inspection. As the residential real estate market continues to grow less by demand and more by the prospect of realistic prices, the pre-purchase home inspection is gaining a lot of momentum. While a professional home inspection is not a new concept, the relatively unused concept that a Seller can benefit by a pre-inspection is beginning to gain acceptance. As the real estate industry and the record number of homes sold continues to grow, thus making a fiercely competitive selling market.

“In today's competitive housing market, reducing expectations, making fewer assumptions and having a realistic attitude is very important and wise. ‘Home Sellers need to become more educated about the process of selling in a particular market and/or area they live in’, A Seller must be as smart as or smarter than the Buyer."

 20 years ago, professional pre-purchase home inspection was virtually unheard of. Today, in many markets they are considered routine, as the home-buying public has grown increasingly educated about the process, and, as a consumerist mind-set has become the norm, rather than the exception. Most real estate professionals have also come to the conclusion that home inspections make good sense, for all the parties involved. Many even recommend them to their home buyer customers. In many regions, standard real estate contracts now include an inspection contingency clause that outlines how the inspection results affect the agreement. Specifically, the clause outlines what the options are (for buyer and seller) in the event that major costly defects are uncovered during the inspection.

"If a professional home inspection makes good sense for the Buyer, think of what it could mean for the Seller to have property assessed at the listing and included with the disclosure statement, it is very difficult for a home owner to be completely objective about their own home. After all, your home is your castle, your personal nest. There is often a great deal of emotional history tied to the property which could cloud revealing the actual conditions”. Hiring qualified real estate professional is the first step toward gaining objectivity when selling a home. "But getting more involved in the process yourself, learning as much as you can, and providing that extra effort of your own can make the difference in this highly competitive selling period,"

One benefit of a professional home inspection is, it will help establish a realistic and competitive selling price. The market analysis prepared by your real estate agent will help in determine a fair selling price for the home. However, “such a comparison doesn't reflect the true physical condition of the home and its systems. This is something that only a professional home inspection can do." For example, if the house has been well maintained and upgraded over the years, a higher listing price would be justified by the inspection report, and not just the word of the owner. On the other hand, if the house has deficiencies, the listing price should reflect these deficiencies or there will be time to correct those deficiencies and you always have the option to lower the price if you so choose. The combination of a professional inspection report and a listing price that reflects the true condition of the house, will help minimize the possibilities of re-negotiations and/or the accepted sale price and possibly even speed up the closing process.

There is also another important rationale for the Seller to consider while deciding on a pre-purchase inspection. In our society, real estate, as with many other practices, it has become increasingly litigious. With that very important thought in mind, it is almost a necessity to accurately disclose the existing conditions of the property, revealing all problems that Buyer will most likely find out on their own anyway, either through your pre-purchase inspection, the Buyer hired home inspection and/or what may be discovered and/or exposed after the Buyer moves in the house.

If you really want to keep yourself as distant as possible from any financial liability, pick your home inspector very carefully. Remember, your credibility goes hand-in-hand with the home inspector’s credibility. The inspector should be a recognized, experienced professional with an impeccable reputation. As more and more Sellers take advantage of pre-purchase home inspections to actively help market their homes, those who don't will be at a considerable disadvantage in the selling game.

Advantages of a Pre-purchase Home inspection

• Reduces the Seller’s legal liability regarding disclosure.

• Can be use as a very effective marketing/selling tool.

• Will help avoid stumbling blocks during the sensitive closing stage.

• Alleviates the Buyer’s uncertainties about the accurate condition of the property.

• Will reinforce the Sellers position with the selling price and terms of the sale.

• Will alert the Seller and/or Agent of any concerns, in advance.

• The inspection report can be included with the Seller’s disclosure statement.

• The Seller has a greater sense of security and peace of mind regarding legal litigation.

• The inspection quickly establishes a respected presence with prospective Buyers.

• The inspection allows the Seller the freedom and time for more important issues.