Pre-Listing Home Inspections

As local housing inventories rise and sellers look for a way to make their listing stand out from the competition, the pre-listing home inspection is gaining in popularity. This inspection is meant to uncover any major defects that the seller may wish to fix before listing the house for sale. This minimizes the likelihood of surprises and the lengthy negotiations that may ensue when a buyer's pre-purchase home inspection uncovers defects of which the seller was unaware.

When shared with potential buyers, the pre-listing home inspection may also be a sign of good faith in an effort at full disclosure. If repairs are made after the inspection, the receipts from contractors can be attached to the report to show that the defects noted have been corrected. One may choose not to make recommended repairs but instead price the house accordingly. Either way, it can make for a smoother transaction for both parties.

In a time when millions of house hunters are using the internet to find their next homes, sellers are looking for ways to make their listing stand out. Many home sellers are choosing to attach the pre-listing inspection report (click to see sample) to an online listing, allowing potential buyers to gain valuable insights about the house before ever stepping foot inside. When they arrive to view your house they will already have more information than most people after purchasing a home without a Sure Sight inspection. Some buyers will even forego the pre-purchase inspection when a pre-listing inspection has been performed by a reputable inspection company like Sure Sight Home Inspection, Inc.

Sure Sight Home Inspection, Inc. is proud to offer those listing their homes the most thorough inspection and the most detailed report in the industry. All of our pre-listing home inspections meet or exceed the Standards of Practice set forth by the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board. ( www.nchilb.com). All inspections are performed by Matthew Bartels, License No. 2490, an independent inspector who has no ties or affiliations with any real estate sales agents or brokers, and who is not a contractor trying to sell you a service or repair you may not need.

During the pre-listing home inspection, Sure Sight Home Inspection will inspect.

Structure

Foundations
Floors
Wall
Columns or piers
Ceilings
Roofs

Exterior

Wall claddings
Flashings and trim
Exterior doors and windows
Garage doors and openers
Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, porches and associated railings
Eaves, soffits, and fascia
Vegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways, and retaining walls

Roofing

Roof coverings
Roof drainage systems
Flashings
Skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations

Plumbing

Interior water supply and distribution system
Interior drain, waste, and vent system
Water heaters
Fuel storage and distribution systems
Sump pumps

Electrical

Service entrance conductors
Service equipment
Branch circuit conductors and over current devices
Ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles located inside the house, garage, and exterior walls

Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating and cooling equipment
Normal operating controls
Readily visible chimneys, flues, and vents
Solid fuel heating devices
Distribution systems, including fans, pumps, ducts, and piping

Interiors

Walls, ceilings, and floors
Steps, stairways, balconies and railings
Counters and built-in cabinets
Interior doors and windows

Insulation and Ventilation

Insulation and vapor barriers
Ventilation of attics and foundation areas
Kitchen, bath, and laundry venting systems

Built-In Kitchen Appliances

Permanently-installed dishwashers
Range, cook top, and/or ovens
Trash compactors
Garbage disposals
Venting appliances such as range hoods
Permanently-installed microwave ovens

This is a partial list of what is included in a typical pre-purchase home inspection. For a complete list of inspected items including inspection exclusions and limitations, please read the North Carolina Home Inspectors Licensure Board Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics ( www.nchilb.com).