Realtors - How to Save Sales and Eliminate Squabbles Caused by a Buyers Inspection

Why do buyers that perform a DIY Home Inspectioneliminate any liability between you, (the Realtor), and
end up purchasing the house more often, than ayour client (buyer or seller). Your client would simply
buyer that has a hired inspection? And why do sellersread and sign the agreement and give you a copy
that do their own home inspection sell their homes infor your records.
less time, and have a smoother closing process, thanMost DIY Home Inspection Reports on the market
a seller than does not do a home inspection? Readdo not have instructions to guide your client through
On.their inspection or a Pre-inspection Agreement. They
Home buyers that do their own DIY Homeconsist of a checklist only, without an instruction
Inspection are less likely to develop a list of repairsguide. These Inspection Reports are useless unless
and concerns as large as a hired Home Inspectors listthe user has a good back ground in construction and
of repairs and concerns. Why is that? A buyer doingthe working components of a home.
their own Home Inspection, with a good inspectionToday, many Realtors are recommending to their
guide (instruction) and report will see defects thathome sellers, to have a Home Inspection before, or
they know they are capable of correcting, or theyat the time it is listed. And for good reasons,
have a friend or relative that can makes thesestatistics will show homes that have had a
repairs. Consequently, the defects are not listed onPre-Inspection before the listing, have sold faster,
their inspection report.because the buyer has more confidence in the home,
Another reason: After signing an earnest moneyespecially if the seller is willing to do an inspection on
agreement, home buyers, often talk and plan onthe home they are selling. The seller is being "up
remodeling certain areas of their new home. Theyfront" about the home.
are not concerned at all with these areas, whileFor the Realtor, knowing what defects are present
inspecting. Defects found in these areas are rarely ongives you and the seller time to discuss what should
their report. While a hired inspector will list everythingbe fixed and what should not, (perhaps sell As Is).
he can find to limit his liability. And last but not least,And, it allows the seller to do their own repairs or
the dialog between the hired Home Inspector andshop for the best price for the repairs. The seller's
the buyer, while discussing issues found, can "killinspection will provide an accurate and complete
deals". The communications by the Home Inspectordisclosure protection for the Realtor and the seller. It
needs to be handled just right and delicately, or themay also be used to help the seller rethink the selling
buyer ends up with a bleak picture of the home,price of the home.
when in fact the home is a solid home.A good selling point for sellers is to have your
A Buyer doing their own DIY Home Inspection givescompleted Inspection Report available for buyers
them more free time in their new home and they willwhen they walk through. Always leave the
know the home better and have a bettercompleted report in a conspicuous place. Reading this
understanding of the working components. This buildsReport is valuable to the potential buyer and shows
a stronger tie between the buyer and the home.the seller is up front about the home and its
A good DIY Home Inspection Report should havecondition. The report will show defects and if they
included, a "Pre-Inspection Agreement". Thehave been corrected, it is suggested to give them
Pre-Inspection Agreement should be written tothat update in the report as well.