Episode Description
One missing step can turn a “sold” sign into two weeks of stress, renegotiation, and a buyer who wants to walk. We’ve been living that reality on the buyer side lately, and it’s made one thing painfully clear: skipping a pre-listing inspection is one of the easiest ways to create surprise, fear, and price cuts.
Rowena Patton, Deanna Allen, and Kelly Denney break down what really happens after a contract goes under agreement, when due diligence begins and the home inspection report drops 40 to 60 items on the table. We talk through the inspection problems that consistently derail deals, from galvanized pipes and outdated wiring to deck safety issues, septic root intrusion, and the big red-flag photos buyers hate most: crawl space moisture and “fungal growth.” Even when the fix is straightforward, the uncertainty can push buyers toward environmental testing, bigger credits, or walking away entirely.
We also connect the inspection chaos to today’s housing market reality: prices softening, interest rates rising, and buyers already nervous about overpaying. That’s why we keep coming back to the certified pre-owned home method, a proactive approach that puts the seller inspection up front, builds trust through transparency, and reduces the odds of a contract falling apart. We close with why home warranties don’t replace inspections, and what sellers can do right now to protect their net proceeds and their peace of mind.
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