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How Neglecting Structural Inspections Affects Property Value

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How Neglecting Structural Inspections Affects Property Value

When you want to sell the property, your main goal is always getting the price around your buying/building price.

In short, you don’t want to bear any loss.

But did you know that you might be bearing losses due to reasons that are unknown to you? Hidden reasons?

Well, as much as you wish this to be untrue, it’s not.

There’s a high chance that your property might be hiding various issues behind its walls, under the roof, or in the basement. And you might not be aware of it until the buyer performs their inspection.

Don’t freak out just yet. We’ve also got a solution for you.

What’s this solution? Structural inspections.

If you neglect these inspections, you might face a situation similar to the one above, even if you’re selling a newly built house. But once you schedule an inspection, you’ll most likely get the price you’ll list your property for.

So yeah, just scheduling a structural inspection makes a big difference, as it is one crucial aspect of property management.

This blog will discuss structural inspections’ role in providing the information you need regarding your property’s condition and safety. This blog aims to make you understand the importance of these inspections and the effects of neglecting structural inspection.

Let’s first discuss what structural inspections are.

What Is A Structural Inspection?

A structural inspection is the process of assessing your home’s structure. This includes the foundation, support systems, and framing. A structural engineer looks for signs of damage or distress during this inspection. They will also recommend any repairs you might need to make.

The inspection checklist these engineers carry depends on the type of home they’re inspecting. Generally, some common parts that these engineers assess are:

  • The Foundation
  • The roof
  • The framing
  • The windows and doors
  • The support systems

The main goal of this inspection is to assess the safety of the home’s structure – a factor that directly impacts your property’s value.

Moreover, the structural inspection cost can be around $300 – $3000. This depends on the size of your home.

The Impact of Structural Inspection on Your Home’s Value

Often, homeowners argue that their home’s value is primarily determined by factors like:

  • Location
  • Local real estate market conditions
  • Square footage

Then how come getting a structural inspection will save their house from a downgrade in pricing?

What they don’t realize is that these are all obvious factors. Every homeowner is prepared to handle the negotiations based on these. But, often, they’re not prepared to negotiate over factors like structural and foundational issues.

And let us pop the bubble for you: buyers usually come up with such negotiating points.

Even if they don’t. Once you get a structural inspection that gives out positive results, you can use that to demand a higher house price.

But home structural and foundation damage can be two major factors impacting your property’s value. In some cases, it can also significantly reduce the value of your client’s home.

Your realtor might already know that if your home has foundation issues, it might lose as much as 25% of its value. And the substantial loss within this percentage is because of the potential risks associated with repairing the issue.

So, unaddressed structural issues can be a deal breaker for your potential buyer. This will not only result in an immediate drop in your property’s value but also a drop in demand. If you address structural and foundation issues early on, you might avoid the negative impact on your home’s value. It also improves its marketability, attracting more potential buyers.

How Do You Identify And Address Issues Highlighted by Structural Inspections?

We hope by now you understand why structural and foundation issues are major factors determining your property’s value.

But how can you address these issues?

Well, addressing these issues is the first step you’ll be taking to increase your property’s worth, as this will ensure the property’s longevity. And if you put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, you wouldn’t want to invest in a property you can’t count on for long.

To identify these issues, the only step you need to take is to schedule a structural inspection. During the inspection, the experts will identify the problem.

Once it’s done, you may seek professional help from a structural engineer to repair the damage. You can also contact a foundation repair company that provides structural inspections and repairs.

Here, repair costs might be a concern for you. But remember that proactivity is always less expensive than reactivity regarding real estate transactions. So, spending a few dollars on repairs won’t be bigger than losing your property’s worth.

Lastly, ensure transparency about your property’s condition and repairs with potential buyers. You may highlight any repairs you made and tell them the measures they must undertake so they won’t experience the issues again. This will guarantee peace of mind for your buyers and will be a bonus point for you as a seller.

Conclusion

Structural and foundation damage can become a bigger concern for you and your realtor. If you neglect the structural inspections and leave these issues untouched, this will negatively affect the value of your property. Not only this, but it’s marketing and ranking in the list.

So, scheduling a structural inspection with experts like GreenWorks Inspections is ideal and smart. Our experts here will inspect your home and provide reliable recommendations for repair and a guarantee that you can transfer to your potential buyers.

This way, you and your buyer can have peace of mind, knowing that the value and longevity of the property are secured with these improvements. So, contact us now and secure your property’s image within the market.