Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Home Inspected Before Selling

Are you downsizing or upsizing and need to sell your Miami home? Are you wondering whether there is any value in getting a home inspection before selling? No matter what side of the fence you are on, this guide can help! After reading, you will know everything from the pros and cons of getting your home inspected to what happens after an inspection and the best way to schedule one!

 

The primary motivation for homeowners getting a home inspection before selling is to understand the home’s condition. Whether you have lived in the home for five or 25 years, it is often not in the same condition as when you first bought it. Factors such as the weather, pests, and proximity to the ocean can adversely affect the home’s condition. For example, since the weather in Miami can be rather hot and humid, there is the risk of mold and mildew forming. Furthermore, proximity to ocean air can cause cracks in the wood or metals to turn to rust. By getting a home inspection early, you will be able to identify any problematic issues and fix them before listing for sale.

 

After a home inspection is completed, you will receive a comprehensive report on the findings. You can then review the report with an experienced real estate agent to determine what needs repair. Completing repairs before listing your home on the market can be an incredible asset. By repairing issues such as a faulty HVAC system or a leaky roof, you can ensure that your home is in the best condition possible to list it on the market!

Sometimes, there can be a particular risk to selling or buying real estate. Some less savvy homeowners might even try to sell a home that could be in better condition. This can create a situation where buyers are often suspicious of homes for sale. One of the best ways to increase buyer trust is by getting the home inspected. Buyers will have the assurance that the home is safe to live in for the long term. With increased buyer trust, you will be able to increase seller transparency so that buyers are more likely to make an offer on your Miami home for sale!

When selling a property in Florida, sellers are legally bound to disclose any pertinent information on the home’s condition. For example, sellers must reveal hazards such as radon gas or erosion risk. Even if something is wrong with the home that was later fixed, you still need to report it to the potential buyers. Even when the issue is resolved, there is the possibility that buyers might still turn down the home.

 

Sometimes, after receiving an inspection report, you might find that the repairs are pretty extensive. For instance, your Miami home might have an improperly wired electrical system, an HVAC system that is not up to code, or foundation damage from termites and other pests. With many repairs that are needed, it might take a considerable length of time. This could ultimately lengthen the home selling process, especially if you wish to sell quickly to start searching for or living in your new home. An experienced real estate agent can analyze the inspection report to determine what repairs are a priority and which ones are best left alone.

 

Another disadvantage to getting a home inspection before selling is that it can often be expensive. Home inspections can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to nearly one thousand dollars, depending on the home's size, type, and location. For a luxury home in Miami that is 9,000 square feet, you can expect to pay over $1,000 for the home inspection.

 

Besides the inspection costs, you also have to factor in the repairs, which can run you anywhere from $100 for the minimal issues to well over $10,000 to replace the electrical system. That is why it can help to work with an experienced real estate agent who can help you decide what home repairs should be done so that you are spending a manageable amount of cash on a house that you will sell soon.

When considering if you should get a home inspection before selling your Miami home, there are many factors to consider. By getting a pre-inspection done, you can better understand the home’s condition to fix any potentially problematic issues. Buyers are more likely to trust you and make an offer quickly. However, home inspections can also be time and cost extensive. Furthermore, as sellers are required by law to know the results of any pre-inspection, it could deter some buyers from making an offer. With pros and cons on both sides of the fence, it is necessary to work with an experienced real estate agent who can help evaluate your situation to determine if you should get a pre-inspection!

 

Reach out to your real estate agent, who can refer you to a qualified home inspector with experience working with luxury homes in Miami. You can then call the home inspector to schedule a time. It is generally advisable to schedule as early as possible. Home inspectors’ schedules can often get booked quickly, and you need time to fix any potential issues before listing on the market.

Legally, sellers are not required to do any repairs after a home inspection. However, some mortgage lenders might require certain repairs to ensure the home is structurally sound and safe. If these repairs are not done, the sale of the Miami home cannot proceed. As a seller, it is thus essential that you review any mandatory repairs that the buyer requests, including those for Coconut Grove houses for sale, so that the selling process will go by as efficiently as possible!

Before getting your home inspected, there are certain things you should do that can make the overall process easy for the inspector. First, you need to clean and declutter your home. A messy house is more complicated for a home inspector to navigate. Be sure to clear the countertops and shelves, remove any objects blocking the HVAC systems, and clean the storage areas like closets, garages, and attics. You also want to ensure the utilities are on, replace old light bulbs and air filters, and clean the gutters. By doing basic maintenance, you can create a clean space for home inspectors to quickly and efficiently navigate around so that they can check every component and space in your home.

 

Interested in selling your home in Miami? Then schedule a consultation with the premiere and award-winning real estate team at the Juliana Savoia Group, who can provide expert guidance on everything from innovative marketing strategies to highly-effective negotiation tactics. As one of the leading agents in Miami and nationwide, Juliana can help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar!

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