What Sellers Need to Know About Home Inspections

Congratulations on receiving and accepting the offer on your home! This is a very exciting time for you as we move toward closing day. 

Now that you have accepted the contract, one of the next steps is for the buyers to complete a home inspection. Sellers have lots of questions and anxiety about these inspections. Don't worry, we'll be with you each step of the way.

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about home inspections and our answers.

What is a home inspection? A home inspection is completed by the buyer’s inspector to find and address any mechanical and physical problems with a property before the sale is final. 

Will they address everything they find wrong, like paint chips or scratches in base boards? The home inspection is not done to address superficial and cosmetic issues such as these. It’s to ensure the property is in sound condition, from the electrical and plumbing systems, to the roof and structure. 

Who pays for the inspection? The buyer pays for the inspection. If you, the seller, are paying the closing costs, the fees for the inspector will come out of the negotiated total cost of the home (the cost of the house, closing costs, and prepaids). In this case, you will pay this cost at closing out of the sale proceeds. 

How much does it cost? The fee for the inspection will be between $225 and $300, depending on the size of your home. This will be paid by the buyers unless otherwise negotiated. If the buyers have negotiated that the closing costs be paid by you, this will be paid at closing.

Is this the only inspection? Your home will also be inspected for termites by a separate inspector. For convenience, most buyers choose to complete the termite inspection at the same time. This fee for this inspection is $100. Depending on the negotiated costs and terms of the contract, this may be paid for at closing by you. 

Who will be present at the inspections? The buyer, the inspector, and their agent will be present throughout the duration of the inspection. 

May I be present at the inspection? We ask the seller not to be in the home. Many do want to be present so they can address the findings. Again, we request you not be present, but we cannot force you to leave. We find that inspections go more smoothly if the seller is not present. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any concerns about what will happen during the inspection.  

How long will it take? The home inspection will take approximately 2 hours for the inspector to complete the process.

What happens once the buyers and their inspector determine the repairs needed on the property? The buyer’s agent will then prepare a Treatment, Repair, and Replacements (TRR) form that will be sent to you. This will list the items the buyers have requested you fix or replace prior to closing on the property. You will be required to repair any items and then provide proof of these repairs before the final walk through. It’s important that you keep up with any receipts you receive in the repair process.

How much do my the repairs usually cost? The total amount of repairs is usually related to the age of the home, but not always. Please do not panic when you see the estimate. The inspector’s bids are generally several hundred dollars high because they have to give conservative estimates for a licensed professional to do the repairs. 

We know that the unknowns in home inspections can feel scary, but our team will be with you throughout the process. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the office at 330-1859 or send an email to forrestteam@yahoo.com.

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