HouseMaster Offers Advice on Avoiding Last Minute Contract Cancellations

BOUND BROOK, NJ--(Marketwire - Jan 26, 2012) - The National Association of Realtors® has stated that its index of pending home sales jumped 7.3 percent in November to a reading of 100.1. A reading of 100 is considered healthy. The last time the index was that high was in April 2010, one month before federal tax credits aimed at spurring home sales credit expired. While this rise in pending home sales is encouraging, unfortunately more home buyers are cancelling contracts prior to closing. One third of Realtors say they had at least one contract scuttled in November and October 2011, up from 18 percent in September 2011, according to the group.

That's no surprise for HouseMaster, the country's oldest national home inspection company with offices in 365 markets across the United States and Canada. "Consumer confidence is rising and unemployment claims are decreasing, but consumers will be very cautious about what they buy when it comes to a new home for years to come," comments Kathleen Kuhn, the company's president and 27 year veteran of the home inspection industry.

It's clearly still a buyer's market with prices at a record low and interest rates also at historic lows, but buyers want to be sure they are getting the best deal possible. So how can a seller who has to sell their home cope with these finicky buyers? Kuhn advises sellers to be both realistic and proactive.

Sellers need to be realistic about the condition of their home and how it will affect the value of their home. Kuhn advises, "Sellers should be proactive and get a home inspection so they can either make the necessary repairs or disclose the conditions found to the buyer and price the house accordingly."

It's all about timing. Traditionally home inspections were used by home buyers, but more and more home sellers are availing themselves of the service so they can minimize last minute renegotiations or contract cancellations over problems found with the buyer's inspection. "Today's buyers have lots of choices, and remain cautious, as demonstrated by the rise in contract cancellations. Eliminating what is often the primary cause of concern for home buyers, problems with the home, is a great way to help seal the deal," adds Kuhn.

For more information on HouseMaster, please visit www.housemaster.com or call (800) 526-3930. For more information on HouseMaster franchise opportunities, please email franchise@housemaster.com.

About HouseMaster:
Headquartered in Bound Brook, N.J., HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America. With more than 365 franchised areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, HouseMaster is the most respected name in home inspections. For over 30 years, HouseMaster has built upon a foundation of solid leadership and innovation with a continued focus on delivering the highest quality service experience to their customers and providing HouseMaster franchisees the tools and support necessary to do so. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

For more information please visit www.housemaster.com or call 800-526-3939.