BOUND BROOK, N.J., April 11 -- Frequent reports of a
slowing real estate market may be alarming to some, but industry experts
suggest that quality professionals thrive in a more balanced market.
"The less competitive the market, the more concerned buyers will be
with the condition of the home they are considering," says Kathleen Kuhn,
president and CEO of HouseMaster(R), the oldest and most experienced name
in home inspections. "History shows that the ebb and flow of the market can
have very positive effects on related industries, particularly on companies
that have invested in training and service -- home inspection or mortgage
companies, for example."
According to recent information from the National Association of
Realtors, existing-home sales are expected to fall 5.7 percent to 6.67
million in 2006 from the record 7.08 million last year. As the market
slows, buyers are looking for quality assurance and sellers are looking to
get top dollar for their homes.
Says Kuhn, "Last year, the market was so hot that some buyers were
opting to forgo their home inspection contingency in an effort to win the
house over other bidders. In a more stable market, buyers are more
concerned with condition and value, and therefore more likely to invest in
a home inspection."
In addition, sellers are arranging more pre-inspections than ever
before, in an effort to help document conditions within the home and
minimize negotiations.
"Having a home inspected prior to listing is beneficial to both the
seller and the buyer," says Chris Messick of Edgewood GMAC Real Estate in
Yardley, PA. "It allows the seller to be informed of any issues upfront and
to allow for corrections to be made well in advance of closing. When a
buyer tours a home that they are considering buying, they can be presented
with the inspection report and the seller can show what, if anything, has
already been taken care of. This can be very comforting to a buyer. It's a
win-win."
Finally, a more balanced market helps to ensure that quality
professionals thrive. "Good real estate agents understand the value of a
professional home inspection and know which home inspectors in their market
are properly trained, tested and offer a superior level of service," Kuhn
says. "On the flipside, 50 percent of all home inspectors don't last their
first year due to a lack of training, communication skills or marketing,
and in a slower market, that number is exacerbated. When good agents
thrive, so do quality service providers."
About HouseMaster:
HouseMaster has franchises in more than 350 cities in North America.
Each franchise is an independently owned and operated business.
Collectively, HouseMaster has performed nearly 2 million inspections since
1979. For more information about home selling and inspection, visit
http://www.housemaster.com or call 800.526.3939.
SOURCE HouseMaster
Web Site: http://www.housemaster.com
