Should your buyers have a home inspection before closing? Should you encourage them to have one?
You may feel that an inspection is not necessary on a new home or that it can only cause trouble right before the closing. However, even though an unreasonable inspector (and they do exist) can cause needless problems, in most cases there are some very real advantages for the builder.
We live in an increasingly litigious society, and a big component to running a successful business is avoiding disputes and staying out of court. A pre-closing inspection by a qualified professional provides a third-party confirmation that the home was well constructed and delivered in good condition.
In theory, the walkthrough serves the same purpose, but buyers don’t have the inspector’s experience and expertise. If a dispute arises down the line, it will be easy for the buyers to claim they missed a deficiency. It is far more difficult to sustain this type of claim if a qualified inspector gave the home a passing grade.
A regular policy of recommending inspections can help inspire a client’s confidence in a builder’s professionalism and competence. One builder, for example, includes a standard $500 allowance in every home sale. Buyers can use the money to hire any qualified inspector they choose. While it is difficult to determine the specific impact of this inspection policy, this individual enjoys a reputation as one of the highest quality custom builders in his market.
|
