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Thorough, Objective, Reasonable Real Estate Inspections
Available 7 Days a Week
Professional real estate inspections in the San Antonio area. Inspections for the buyer, seller, and for the homeowner.
Larry Wedige
Texas Professional Real Estate Inspector License # 6060

Home Inspection


A Good Idea For The Seller As Well As The Buyer

As we all know, the term "caveat emptor" no longer applies to the purchase of any real estate. In today s market the buyer not only needs to know but has a right to know of existing or potential problems with his future home. That is why astute home buyers are turning to home inspectors for a professional Inspection. However, the findings of such inspections can result in a great deal of wasted time spent by the brokers and sellers and might even cause buyers to change their minds about buying the house.
 
Is there anything a broker can do to avoid the consequences of an unfavorable inspection report? Most certainly. Brokers should have the sellers inform them of any previous or present defects; for example, problems with septic tank / system, a leaking roof, water penetration into the basement and other major structural or mechanical defects, etc., should be divulged. Records of repair costs should be made available to interested parties. The broker should inspect visually for any obvious faults. Defects such as peeling paint, rotting gutters, defective chimneys and other such visible flaws should be brought to the owner s attention. All necessary repairs should be made prior to the sale. Finally, a home inspector should be hired to make a pre-sale inspection which will provide additional insights into present or future problems.
 
This inspection differs from a regular one only in that it is done for the seller rather than the buyer. It takes the usual two to three hours to complete. The importance of an inspection cannot be overstated. An alert inspector for the seller will be able to point out defects that a buyer s inspector may find, which in turn will enable the broker and client to take steps toward correcting them before the sale. Being forewarned is truly being forearmed.
 
A pre-listing inspection:
  • allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
  • helps you to price your home realistically.
  • permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ...
    • Defects don't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
    • You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if qualified.
    • It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
    • It may relieve prospect's concerns and suspicions.
  • reduces your liability by ...
    • Adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
    • Alerting you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.

Is a home inspection necessary? The answer is an emphatic YES. Both the seller and the buyer should have separate inspections. The inspections protect not only the seller and the buyer but also the broker. Serious structural and mechanical defects will be detected prior the closing of the sale, and arrangements can be made to the satisfaction of both parties. Only then will the buyers and sellers be satisfied, and the risk of a lost sale will be lessened considerably.
 
Home inspection fees are based on house size, style, age, location, type of structure & optional services requested. A basic inspection for most homes up to 1800 Sq. Ft. of living area is $180, larger homes or older homes a little more. The basic inspection covers the foundation, sills, beams, support columns, sub-floor, roof structure, roof covering, walls, doors, floors, windows, electrical, plumbing, one central heating and cooling system, & more all professional evaluated.
 
Let's put things in perspective: If you're selling a $130,000 house and the inspection costs $220, that's 0.16% of the cost of the house! Most real estate professionals charge around 6.00% to sell a home, that would be $7,800 for a $130,000 house! The cost of a home inspection (roughly 3% of the real estate commission) is a bargain.