| When a home buyer is competing with others for | | | | photographs within the body of the report. These |
| the same house, an "as-is" clause on his contract | | | | photos help the average home buyer "see" the |
| will make a huge difference for the seller when | | | | problem areas and understand them better. |
| choosing which offer to accept. The seller will | | | | - The home report should also include an |
| always take that offer instead of one that has an | | | | evaluation of the roof. |
| inspection contingency. | | | | - A pest control inspection should be done at the |
| Most properties on the market have some | | | | same time and a separate report should be |
| deferred maintenance, especially listings that are in | | | | issued. |
| foreclosure or bank-owned, home buyers would | | | | - The Pest control report should include an |
| like to know what the true condition of the | | | | approximate cost of all repairs called for. |
| property is before they buy it, hence the | | | | - One final but important step: Make sure the |
| inspection period of about 10-15 days from the | | | | inspector has access to ALL AREAS OF THE |
| moment the offer is accepted. Here is where the | | | | HOUSE. |
| seller can speed up the sale of the house by | | | | Buyers will pay better prices for properties that |
| getting a complete home inspection before putting | | | | are in good condition and only a recent full |
| the house on the market. | | | | inspection report from a Professional Home |
| If the buyer reads the home report before | | | | Inspection Company can tell them that. The cost |
| writing the offer, then he can waive the | | | | in the San Francisco bay area for a home and a |
| inspection period and speed up the closing. These | | | | pest control reports is around $550. If the |
| reports should be offered at the property so the | | | | property is in good condition and the reports |
| buyer can examine them while looking at the | | | | confirm that fact, the buyers will probably pay |
| house. I suggest EVERY HOME SELLER take the | | | | good prices and haggle less. |
| following steps BEFORE the house goes on the | | | | The buyer of course reserves the right the call |
| market: | | | | his own inspections. This is when the |
| - Order a complete inspection from a local | | | | professionalism of the home inspection company |
| reputable, home inspection company | | | | the seller chooses comes into place. It must be |
| - Call a company that DOES NOT DO REPAIRS | | | | reliable, stable and professional enough to stand |
| OR BID ON ANY WORK CALLED FOR. Just | | | | scrutiny. After 25 years of experience I have |
| inspections | | | | learned the value of using Professional Home |
| - Choose a company that offers the reports via | | | | Inspection companies for all my listings, but it |
| e-mail. This way it can be disseminated faster | | | | must be done before the house is offered for |
| - The report should include multiple color | | | | sale. |