The Tribune

By MIKE LIGHTBOURN YOU'RE preparing to sell your home and you've taken all the right steps. You've contacted your BREA agent to represent you and to market your home, taken care of needed repairs, cleaned the yard and given your home the "white glove" treatment. How else can you attract buyers and a full price offer? What buyers want when they purchase a home is peace of mind. An inspection by a home inspector or a reputable building contractor, for instance, can go a long way in providing just that. Inspections are particularly attractive to prospective buyers if your home is more than fifteen years old and can cover important areas of concern, such as termite infestation, plumbing, wiring, etc. Inspections may include an estimate for repairs to your home. Imagine the confidence this will inspire in buyers, who will understand immediately that they won't have any major unplanned repair expense after their purchase. Of course, a home inspection is valuable regardless of whether you're selling or buying. When it comes to home ownership, peace of mind is like money in the bank! Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty