Letting the Buyer Take a Closer Look

Once your home goes into contract and you're counting the days to the closing, you can expect a call about scheduling an inspection of your home. Real Living firmly believes in the value of a thorough home inspection conducted by a qualified professional. In fact, a Real Living buyer's agent will include a clause in the purchase agreement that informs the buyer of their right to engage a private inspector.

What to Expect

You probably made as many home repairs as you could before you put your home up for sale, so there won't be much for you to do in preparation for the inspection. Simply make your home available to the inspector, buyer and buyer's agent.

Perhaps the inspector will identify some issues; as long as they're dealt with according to your agreement with the buyer, your home sale should proceed as anticipated. Not only do home inspections make buyers feel at ease, they also help protect you by reducing the possibility of legal action in response to undisclosed and unanticipated defects.

Real Living suggests that buyers choose an inspector who can provide proof of membership in the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Even though home inspection is fairly unregulated in many states, ASHI-certified inspectors meet stringent requirements and abide by a strong Code of Ethics.

Learn more about home inspections from the buyer's point of view.