Pre-Offer Inspections
The real estate market is heating back up for 2022! Unfortunately, multiple offers are over the asking price, so you may wonder what to do when you waive inspections.
At Avid Inspections, we provide “pre-offer inspections/walk-through consultations.”
We will go through the home using only a flashlight in the time allotted during a regular showing, usually 15-30 minutes.
The inspector will give a verbal summary of their findings.
Schedule a full inspection after you close to take advantage of your discount of $50! This means the pre-offer inspection only costs you $50!
The price is $120 for the first home and $50 for each additional home scheduled, provided the showings are back to back.
Once your offer is accepted or closed on your home, call our office to schedule your complete home inspection.
To schedule a walk-through consultation, call or text (913)662-3354
Regular home inspections can still be scheduled at www.Avid-KC.com/schedule
What is a pre-offer inspection?
A pre-offer inspection is when a home inspector evaluates a home on the buyer's behalf before making an offer. Here are some of the specific details:
An inspector accompanies the buyer during a showing of the property.
The inspector does a visual walk-through of the home.
The only tool used is a flashlight.
A written report is not produced.
The inspector views the property during a concise window of time.
The goal is to alert the buyer to any significant problems that might turn them away from the home.
There is no set standard for pre-offer inspections anywhere in the country. In some states, home inspection licensing boards have prohibited home inspectors from performing this type of inspection. (If you happen to live in one of these areas, you can hire a contractor to perform the walk-through inspection.) However, we at Avid Inspections do provide this service (details below).
Pros of a Pre-Offer Inspection
Competing with a strong offer is great as long as the house you win is also great. A pre-offer inspection can help you know whether you should come in strong with your offer, lower your offer, or run for the hills.
You might make a weaker offer if you factored in the foundation damage that the other buyers don’t know about. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the foundation needs repair, and in the long run, an unstable foundation doesn’t care how much you’ve already paid for the home.
If you’ve found the perfect home, the pre-offer inspection can give you the confidence you need to write a strong offer and win the home!
A complete home inspection is always recommended, even if it doesn’t occur before closing. However, some inspectors offer discounts or special offers on the full inspection once you move in.
Cons of a Pre-Offer Inspection
A pre-offer inspection is NOT a home inspection. Many inspectors do not call this service an “inspection” but rather a “walk-through consultation.” Calling it a “walk-through consultation” more clearly describes the service.
Pre-offer inspections do not follow any standards of practice like the InterNACHI Standards of Practice we follow during our standard home inspections.
A pre-offer inspection will not discover all defects in the home, even when performed by an experienced, qualified inspector.
