HOME INSPECTIONS (SELLERS)

Home Inspections: A Guide for Home Sellers

If you are selling a home, the buyer’s home inspections can feel like one of the most stressful parts of the transaction. Knowing what to expect can make the process much easier.

Castle Gate Realty helps home sellers throughout Carbon County and the surrounding Pocono and Lehigh Valley areas of Pennsylvania prepare for home inspections, understand buyer inspection requests, and navigate the inspection negotiation process.

How Should Sellers Prepare for a Home Inspection?

Before the buyer’s inspections, make sure the home is accessible and that inspectors can reach important areas such as the electrical panel, attic, basement or crawlspace, HVAC equipment, and water heater. Keep utilities on and secure pets. If the property has a septic system and a septic inspection is scheduled, locate and uncover the septic lids when required.

Should a Seller Be Home During the Buyer’s Inspection?

Buyers usually attend their home inspections. It is generally best for the seller not to be home during the inspection. This gives the buyer and inspectors the space they need to evaluate the property. Your Castle Gate Realty agent will coordinate access and answer questions about the process.

What Happens After the Home Inspection?

The home inspector does not decide what the seller must repair. The inspector reports findings to the buyer. The buyer then reviews those findings with their real estate agent and decides how to proceed under the terms of the Agreement of Sale.

There may be several days between the inspection itself and receiving the buyer’s response. Sellers should wait for the buyer’s response before assuming which inspection findings will become part of the negotiation.

Do Sellers Have to Make Every Repair a Buyer Requests?

Not necessarily. If a buyer requests repairs, a credit, or another change following inspections, the seller should review the request with their real estate agent. Your Castle Gate Realty agent will explain your options, contractual deadlines, and help you prepare your response.

Home inspection reports can be lengthy and may include everything from routine maintenance items to larger concerns. A long inspection report does not necessarily mean there is a major problem with your home or that the buyer will request every item be repaired.

Selling a Home in Carbon County, PA?

Castle Gate Realty assists home sellers in Lehighton, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, and communities throughout Carbon County, as well as surrounding areas in Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, and Schuylkill counties.

We also maintain a list of Trusted Pros, including home inspectors, title companies, lenders, movers, and other local real estate professionals.

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