FOR BUYERS
FOR SELLERS
- In today's market, nearly 90% of buyers begin their search on the internet. In order to sell your home in a timely manner and for the best price, it is critical to have your home placed on as many websites as possible and to be able to be found by potential buyers on the internet. Realtors with an ePRO designation have been trained and know how to give your home the best exposure possible online. Some realtors place your listing on their local MLS, put a sign in the yard and wait for the calls. With us, your listing is easy to find from hundreds of sites. We also are active in social networking and will send eblasts to potential buyers and all area realtors and agents. We provide an individual webpage for every listing and will also have a professional photographer design an interactive floorplan that can be seen on the internet by potential buyers. While we still utilize traditional forms of advertisements such postcards and magazine ads, we are seeing the best results from our internet marketing. If you are considering selling in the Charleston area, please contact us for a more in-depth listing presentation, a comparative market analysis and an explanation of how our marketing is superior.
INSPECTIONS
Who pays for the inspection?
It is up to the Buyer to pay the cost of inspections made on their behalf
How Long will the Inspection Last?
A thorough inspector will need an adequate amount of time to complete the inspection. A general rule is that the inspector will need approximately 1 hour for each 1,000 square feet of space. So, a 3,0000 square foot home should take around 3 hours to inspect.
Preparing Your House for an Inspection
- Lower any high plant beds or grading around the house to assure that the siding is not in contact with the soil
- Replace any rotten wood
- Paint all weather wood on the exterior
- Clean out gutters and area drains
- Make sure all water is diverted away from the foundation with gutter downspouts, and assure that a slope is present to prevent water from standing at the foundation
- Trim back limbs that are close to the roof or siding
- Secure any loose siding and fill up cracks in mortar joints in any brickwork
- Seal any and all water penetration leaks in the structure
- Replace filters in the HVAC system
- Have the fireplace cleaned and checked for problems like leaking mortar caps, dampers that do not function, or the lack of a spark arrester and rain cap
- Caulk around windows, doors, and chimneys
- Replace any broken or cracked windows
- Replace any broken or cracked window panes
- Make sure that all windows and doors function properly
- Assure that all light fixtures have functioning bulbs
- Test all ground fault circuit interrupters (GCFI) devices at the test button and replace any that fail to trip and reset properly
- Test the function of all light switches and electrical outlets
- Insure that smoke detectors are present and functional
- Repair any leaking plumbing fixtures at sinks, lavatories, toilets, tubs, showers, and outdoor spigots
- Check for an repair any visible plumbing drain leaks in basements, crawl spaces, and attic areas. Also, check under sinks, lavatories, tubs, and showers, and repair any leaks detected.
- Assure the proper function of all drain stoppers
- Make any needed grout or caulk repairs on the tilework around tubs and shower enclosures
- Assure that toilets are secured at the floor and that the seat and lid assemblies are tight
- Assure that all appliances are functional
- Make sure all exhaust fans vent to outside air and not into attic spaces or crawlways
On the Day of the Inspection
- Have all utilities turned on
- Have keys available for all locked areas and provide remote controls for any automatic garage door openers
- Assure that any alarm system is, or can be, turned off
- Make the inspector aware of any known safety hazards that might exist around the property
- Assure the no areas of the property are blocked or made inaccessible by stored items
- Make sure that pets are secured
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