Comments on: Taking Care of Minor Repairs Before Selling Can Save Your Deal

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:52:19 +0000

Chad, I am truly surprised that you don’t have a repair limit in your inspections part of the contract in Georgia. It’s just a blank to be filled in here. I’d be happy to email you a copy for your review.

Monika, hi there! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. You’re reminding me that I’ve been working too hard and not visiting anyone lately!

By: monika

monika — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:41:45 +0000

Excellent post Maggie and great advice for all home owners and buyers.

By: Front Porch View

Front Porch View — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:09:31 +0000

Maggie,

That is awesome advice for everyone to hear, especially for all the buyer’s in Florida. We don’t have a repair limit that I am aware of in our contracts in Georgia, however it could easibly be put into the special stipulations.

I think you make an incredible point about taking care of the small stuff…before you even put it on the market. It truly could cost you the whole deal!

Great article and an awesome job explaining it!

Chad

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:50:29 +0000

Frank, a seller is legally bound to disclose anything that will affect the value of a home and he discloses this on the Seller’s Disclosure form he fills out. Of course, I am referring to Florida requirements. The thing that is open for discussion is determining what will AFFECT A HOME’S VALUE. Certainly a smoke detector requiring a battery will make it to the inspection but does it affect the value of a home? A certain amount of common sense is required. If something major shows up on the inspection, my take is that, YES, the seller should disclose it, since he is now aware of it.

By: Frank Schulte-Ladbeck

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:40:19 +0000

Thank you for this post encouraging people to use my profession. I have to say that many items that I find when inspecting homes in Texas are simple fixes that any homeowner can do. Installing anti-siphon devices on hose bibs or smoke detectors, or labeling the circuit breakers on the panel are easy to do.
But I have a question for you, since I was just debating this topic: if a seller has an inspection, should they disclose all the findings? Particularly since much of what an inspector does involves opinion.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:36:03 +0000

P.S. this is one of the reasons I encourage my home sellers to pay for an inspection of their own before selling. It can provide valuable information and a check list for all the small things to fix!