Carpenter · Winnipeg, Manitoba · Member since 2014 · 16 posts · 1 vote
Hi, I am thinking of selling my house with a home inspection report included uppon offer. Is this a good idea? Also, I am a Certified Home Inspector, and I am curious what people's thoughts on the ethics involved with this would be?
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'd look at your report but I'd take it with a grain of salt. Its fine to include it, but I wouldn't assign any value to it. That is, I wouldn't increase the price I was willing to pay because you did the inspection, nor would I pay you for it.
I'd personally still get it inspected and I would inspect with the inspector, because its too easy to get "certified", at least in my area. But this has nothing to do with you, even if a 3rd party inspector pre-inspected, I'd still hire my own. I'm always suspect when somebody gets it pre-inspected.
I'd look at your report but I'd take it with a grain of salt. Its fine to include it, but I wouldn't assign any value to it. That is, I wouldn't increase the price I was willing to pay because you did the inspection, nor would I pay you for it.
As a home inspector myself, the report could help to be a selling tool, and perhaps help the home show better assuming there are no major defects in the report. However, anyone looking to buy the home should have there own inspector look at the house for there own piece of mind. I know I wouldn't rely soley on a inspection report supplied by the seller.
I currently had a client doing what you did. She decided to get a pre-inspection to use for herself to spring up any problems before putting on the market. I then came in to correct all those items. I am sure the buyer will use it as a reference, look at my invoicing for work completed and hire their own to be safe. Good luck on the sale
Ethically, why would this be a problem?. The real problem is that what you are offering has little value. You have zero incentive in finding problems in your own house, thus you are biased and your report is worthless....and the buyers know this
Ethically, why would this be a problem?. The real problem is that what you are offering has little value. You have zero incentive in finding problems in your own house, thus you are biased and your report is worthless....and the buyers know this
Is that "conflicting interest"? If so, wouldn't that fall under ethics? I am not correcting you- merely trying to gain clarity. I do agree that most buyers would get their own inspection.
@Adam Baker I would have to agree with the others in that I most buyers will probably hire their own inspector as part of their due diligence. Let us know how it is received buy prospective buyers. Great thread!
I wouldn't call this an ethical problem as much as it is a waste of time. A buyer isn't required to depend on the sellers home insp anymore than taking the sellers word for it. The seller that does this is simply trying to provide a service that will be duplicated and is a complete waste of time as a result
Thanks everyone for the responses. I realize it probably is an unnecessary thing to do. I was just curious about wether or not it would be unethical. But I suppose it would be more so a biased opinion that potential buyers probably wouldnt trust. Again, thanks for all the responses.