Inspection Inflection

We’re at an inflection point in Walla Walla, where tactics have not caught up to market realities.

Historically, buyers paid for inspections once a property was under contract. This is markedly different from popular urban markets where sellers conduct a home inspection prior to bringing their home to market and provide it to potential buyers as as a courtesy. In a sellers’ market where competing offers are normal, this is a more efficient process because the inspection doesn’t become a point of friction.

In our current market, buyers are at a horrific deficit where they may feel compelled to waive their inspection in order to compete against other buyers. Sellers may believe this isn’t their problem but it’s to sellers’ advantage to make this shift to providing inspections. If buyers have complete information, they may be likely to pay more as by removing the inspection from the equation, price becomes an even more critical point of competition. 

The housing market is changing in Walla Walla, but real estate strategy is not keeping up with those changes. Multiple competing offers are the new norm, and buyers will continue to be forced to compete in desperate ways. The sooner more agents start advising their sellers to provide inspections, the sooner both buyers and sellers will benefit. 

If you would like to discuss savvy tactics for purchasing or selling your Walla Walla Valet-area home, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m a licensed Realtor in both Washington and Oregon. (509)540-5027 | jeff@jeffstrickler.com