You have some Indianapolis Real Estate to sell, congratulations. You hope that things go smoothly, but it doesn't always happen that way. It seems that real estate transactions these days are becoming more and more difficult. From people being able to qualify for a mortgage loan, to getting the house to appraise, to dealing with the home inspection issues.
Speaking of home inspections, here's a little insight on:
How to Make The Most of Your Home Inspection Alright, so you have received the results of your home inspection—now what? With all the excitement of the house purchase and the new move, many homeowners make the mistake of putting the results of their home inspection aside, thinking they will make necessary repairs later. “Your home inspection results are a great push-off point for making necessary repairs,” says Richard Lampe, Vice President of sales at CENTURY 21 Scheetz. “Making the repairs sooner rather than later can pay off in the end.”
Infrastructure Issues
If your home inspector found problems with the frame or groundwork of your house, these problems should be addressed immediately, suggests Richard. Similarly, a leaky roof or basement may seem like something that can be dealt with later, but once mold or mildew sets in, it can be problematic to remove, and the future potential for water damage could set you back thousands of dollars. “Re-roofing, repairing and sealing any cracks before you begin to move in your belongings is a smart idea,” says Lampe. “Pay special attention to areas of entrance, like doors and windows, where cracks and openings can let in damaging moisture and make insulation difficult.”
Electrical Checks
Problems with electrical systems are the second most common type of problem reported nationwide by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).Your home inspection report should include a thorough check of your home’s wiring, circuit breaker, water heater, appliance hook-ups and lighting fixtures. “Don’t take any chances with electrical systems,” says Richard, “especially if you have an older home that may have been designed under an outdated electrical code that is no longer up to par.” Even if no major electrical problems show up on your report, CENTURY 21 Scheetz suggests installing safety devices such as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) as a precaution.
Safety Repairs
“Issues with home safety reported in your inspection should not be overlooked for any amount of time,” warns Lampe. Things like radon, lead paint and asbestos should be removed before your family moves in.
Negotiate
“Often, people don’t realize that a home inspection report with a laundry list of problems can be a valuable negotiation tool for closing a deal,” says Richard. “You may be able to ask for a lower price or request that some of the major repairs—such as a faulty wiring system or leaky roof—be made on the seller’s dime before you move in.”
For more information on home inspections, please contact CENTURY 21 Scheetz at CENTURY 21 Scheetz.
CENTURY 21 Scheetz has served the Metropolitan Indianapolis area since 1976. We are committed to providing outrageously positive service, delivered with enthusiasm, and integrity, today and always.
