The #1 Thing Tampa Area Home Sellers Should Do Before Listing Their Home.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give anyone preparing to sell a home in the Tampa Bay area is simple: have a professional home inspection completed before the property is ever listed for sale.  Most sellers know their homes pretty well, but they may not know about a slow plumbing leak, an electrical issue, damaged roof flashing, moisture intrusion, a faulty outlet, or one of the many smaller problems that can accumulate over the years  The buyer’s home inspector will probably find them.

Why Home Inspections Cause Real Estate Deals to Fall Apart:  In my 35 years of selling real estate and more than 3,000 completed sales since 1991, I can say unequivocally that the home inspection process is one of the biggest reasons a real estate transaction either moves forward smoothly or falls apart. This is especially true with first time homebuyers.  A long inspection report can be frightening to someone who has never owned a home. Even when many of the items are relatively small, the number of pages and photographs can make the property appear to be in much worse condition than it actually is. The buyer starts feeling overwhelmed. Family members begin offering opinions. The buyer’s confidence disappears, and suddenly a transaction that looked solid is in danger of falling apart.

A Prelisting Home Inspection Gives the Seller Control

Completing a home inspection before listing gives the seller time to review the findings without the pressure of a contract deadline.  A reputable real estate agent should have relationships with qualified contractors, handymen, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other professionals who can evaluate the inspection findings and make necessary repairs correctly. Some repairs may require licensed professionals under Florida law or the terms of the sales contract. Other smaller maintenance items may be handled by an experienced handyman. The important thing is that the work is completed properly and documented. When sellers address these items before listing, they have more time to compare prices, schedule the work, and make reasonable decisions. They are not being forced to find someone immediately because an inspection deadline is approaching.

That preparation can save the seller a significant amount of money. Avoid Expensive Renegotiations Once a home is under contract, the buyer may request repairs, closing cost credits, or a reduction in the purchase price based on the inspection results. Depending on the contract and the type of repair, licensed and insured professionals may be required.  At that point, the seller has less time and less negotiating leverage.  A buyer who sees several problems may ask for far more money than the repairs would actually cost. A few thousand dollars in preventative repairs could turn into a much larger price reduction, credit, or cancelled contract.  Sellers sometimes resist spending money on an inspection because they see it as an unnecessary expense. In reality, refusing to spend a little money before listing can cost considerably more during the negotiation process.

Show Buyers That the Home Has Been Maintained.  A prelisting inspection can also help create confidence.  Imagine a buyer walking into a home and seeing the inspection report, a list of completed repairs, and receipts from the professionals who performed the work. That tells the buyer that the seller has taken care of the property and is not trying to hide anything.  It does not guarantee that the buyer’s inspector will find nothing. Every inspector may identify different items. However, it reduces the possibility of major surprises and shows that the seller has made a serious effort to prepare the home properly.

A well maintained home usually presents better, photographs better, and gives buyers more confidence when it is time to make an offer.  Better Preparation Creates a Better Chance of Closing. Selling a home involves more than putting a sign in the yard and uploading photographs to the internet. The real work happens before the property ever reaches the market.  The goal is not simply to get an offer. The goal is to get from the offer to the closing table with the fewest surprises possible.

A professional home inspection before listing can help sellers:

1. Discover problems before the buyer does
2. Complete repairs without contract deadline pressure
3. Compare repair estimates and control expenses
4. Reduce the risk of a buyer becoming overwhelmed
5. Limit costly renegotiations after the inspection
6. Demonstrate that the home has been properly maintained
7. Increase the probability of a smoother closing

After more than three decades of selling homes throughout Tampa Bay, I know that preparation makes a difference. The sellers who address potential problems before listing are generally in a much stronger position than those who wait for the buyer’s inspector to uncover them.  The biggest mistake a seller can make is refusing to spend a little money preparing the home, only to lose considerably more through repair demands, price reductions, closing credits, or a cancelled contract.  Before you list your Tampa Bay home, get the inspection. Learn what needs attention. Make the appropriate repairs. Keep your receipts.  A smoother sale begins long before the first buyer walks through the front door.

Vincent Arcuri, Real Estate Agent Serving Tampa Bay Since 1991

Over 3,000 Homes Sold

813 VINCENT