A pre-listing home inspection from
AmeriSpec is now more important than ever. Why? Because now, Canada is
experiencing a shift towards a buyer’s market.
Re/Max’s 2023 housing market outlook
suggested the aggregate price of a home is expected to drop 3.3% this year
[1]. Elsewhere, a TD Bank report suggests the
average price of a home in Canada could drop between 20% and 25% in the first
quarter of 2023
[2].
With housing expected to become more
affordable this year, spring real estate activity is expected to increase.
Before spring, realtors and sellers should work together to have a pre-listing
home inspection performed first.
What is a pre-listing home inspection and why do I need one?
A pre-listing home inspection describes the
process of a professional home inspector examining a property to identify any
issues or repairs that need to be made before a home is publicly advertised for
sale.
Buying a home is one of the biggest
investments a person will ever make. Sellers can help prospective homebuyers
feel more confident about purchasing their home by having their listing
inspected first.
By having a pre-listing home inspection
performed, you can plan for any repairs or negotiate the selling price. This
will make the buyer more confident in the purchase and keep pre-closing
problems from hassling both parties.
The benefits of a pre-listing home inspection explained
Before putting your house on the market, a
pre-listing home inspection offers you and the buyer complete peace of mind
that comes from knowing the true condition of your house.
A pre-listing home inspection helps ensure
there are fewer surprises in a real estate transaction because everyone
involved becomes more familiar with the property’s current condition. A
professional home inspection provided by the seller often creates a positive
atmosphere of good faith.
By making repairs and disclosing to the
prospective buyer the property’s condition up front and honestly before
negotiations begin, you can foster a relaxed environment, one which instils
trust and confidence regarding the home’s condition. This, in turn, may help
your house sell faster and closer to the listing price.
What does an AmeriSpec pre-listing home inspection cover?
Every home is different and therefore the
individual issues and experience of a home inspector will determine how
thorough their pre-listing home inspection is. Nevertheless, an AmeriSpec home
inspection typically covers the following areas.
Exterior walls
Thoroughly inspecting the outside structure
of your home, our inspectors will examine the crawlspaces beneath the home, as
well as roofing, windows, doors, and more.
Foundation
Despite foundations being out of sight, our
inspectors are highly skilled at checking for secondary signs of foundation
issues such as cracking or settling.
Grading
Grading should always slope away from your
house, not towards it. Our inspectors will determine which way your grading
slopes to see how susceptible your house is to possible water damage.
Roofing
Our inspectors will check your roof to
determine its age and condition, as well as any potential damage or poor
installation that could allow for water damage to occur. They will also check
for loose, missing or badly secured shingles, cracks, damaged mastic around
your vents, and any gutter damage.
Garage
If your home has a garage, this should be
in proper working order too. Our inspectors will check whether your garage door
closes properly, whether its framed securely, and whether there is good air
ventilation to protect against accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
Plumbing
Our inspectors will examine all faucets and
showers to look for any visible leaks while testing the water pressure too. If
your home’s pipes are old, inspectors may recommend an additional inspection to
determine whether they need to be replaced or offer a ballpark cost for
repairs.
Electrical
Electric-wise, inspectors will check what
type of wiring your home has, ensure there are functional ground fault circuit
interrupters, and test all outlets. Additionally, electrical panels will be
inspected to ensure they work correctly to eliminate potential fire hazards.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Not only will inspectors determine the age
of your furnace and air conditioning, but they’ll also ensure they work
properly. Determining the age of your ducting and checking for any potential
leaks is important too. Elsewhere, they will check whether your home has
sufficient insulation and whether any detrimental asbestos remains, an issue experienced
in older homes.
Bathrooms
Our inspectors will look out for any
visible leaks, check toilets are properly secured, and ensure there is
sufficient ventilation. Bathrooms without vents or windows are especially prone
to mold and mildew growth that can cause health issues and furniture damage
over time.
Laundry room
Inspectors will also check whether your
laundry room is properly vented. Poorly maintained dry-exhaust systems are a
serious fire hazard, which your inspector will examine for you.
Pre-listing home inspection FAQs
Before you set a realistic asking price,
AmeriSpec has compiled this list of pre-listing home inspection FAQs to provide
you even more information. If your question is not covered here,
contact your local inspector for more detailed information.
How long does an inspection normally take?
A typical pre-listing home inspection of a
property less than 2,000 square feet lasts approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Do I need to be present at the time of the inspection?
Although it is not mandatory, it is to the
home seller’s benefit to be present at the time of the inspection. AmeriSpec’s
job is not just to inspect the property, but also to educate the potential
seller on the condition of the property, and this can be better achieved if you
are present at the time of the inspection.
How do I determine the condition of the home?
During your own pre-listing home
inspection, the inspector will explain the condition of the property. The
inspector will also provide you with the
AmeriSpec Report™. This way, you can make an
informed decision when selling the property.
What do I get in writing?
Our 400+ inspection findings are packaged
in an attractive, easy-to-reference, three-ring binder, or a digital binder
(depending on the office). The
AmeriSpec Report™ – the industry’s gold standard
– features a comprehensive evaluation of the home, a Home Maintenance Manual,
and a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist.
Does AmeriSpec offer other types of inspections?
Yes. Pre-listing home inspections are just one
part of our business. Depending on the region, we can provide a variety of
services that work together with the home inspection such as
Radon Testing,
Home Energy Evaluations, and
Mould Testing.
What are your inspector’s qualifications?
All AmeriSpec inspectors are trained and
certified to meet the highest standards in the industry. AmeriSpec offers the
best training in the industry by combining classroom instruction and hands-on
technical training in our state-of-the-art training facility.
To enhance training in the classroom,
AmeriSpec uses a complete educational training system developed specifically
for AmeriSpec by Carson Dunlop and Associates, one of the most respected names
in professional home inspection training.
AmeriSpec also takes continuing education
seriously. Technical training classes are held periodically throughout the year
to inform business owners about home inspections and other inspection
specialties.
When you need a pre-listing home inspection, trust AmeriSpec
Maximize your chances of a successful sale
with a pre-listing home inspection from AmeriSpec. Our inspections cover more
than 1,000 checkpoints across approximately 400 items around a home. An
inspection will reveal any issues within a home and ensure your property is
suitable for sale at top dollar.
Paint a clear picture for prospective
buyers and ensure that your next property shines crystal clear.
Find your local inspector here and book your pre-listing home
inspection today.
References
- https://globalnews.ca/news/9370291/canada-housing-market-outlook-2023/
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/here-s-a-look-at-what-s-going-to-cost-you-more-and-less-in-2023-1.6214563