More inspection requirements make Norristown ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES to sell a home in Pennsylvania.
But…help is available for you to navigate this process.
In a typical real estate sale, a buyer will order a private home inspection prior to settlement to identify any issues that pose a health or safety concern. Once that inspection is complete, the buyer will negotiate potential repairs with you – the homeowner.
In Norristown, things are different. Along with the buyer’s private inspection, the borough requires a long list of inspections that can catch homeowners by surprise. This approach makes Norristown one of the most expensive places in the region to sell a home.
Real estate professionals who work in your community want you to be fully aware of these inspections before you sell your home. With this information, you will be better prepared to deal with the added expense and time that Norristown’s requirements may produce/cause.
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If you would like to be notified about future Norristown proposals that could further impact the sale and proceeds of your home, please fill out this form.
What exactly does Norristown require of home sellers?
The municipality mandates all the inspections below (regardless of and in addition to private inspections a buyer might order):
Property Inspections
A municipal property maintenance inspection of both the exterior and the interior of a home prior to a real estate transaction. The fee for the inspection is currently $110, and the inspection may result in a list of required repairs that can run to thousands of dollars.
Click here to view the inspection guidelines.
Heater & Chimney Safety Certificates
These inspections are required by the municipality when homes are sold and can run between $200 and $500. If repairs are required, those costs can run anywhere from $1,000 to more than $10,000.
Click here to view the Heating Certification Form
Click here to view the Chimney Certification Form
Lead Paint Testing
Lead paint testing for homes built before 1978 (95% of Norristown homes fall into this category). The national average cost of lead paint testing is $317. Should encapsulation or removal be found necessary, the cost of a product to encapsulate lead paint begins at approximately $50 per gallon, which adds anywhere between $800 and $1,400 for a typical 1,200 to 2,000 square-foot home, not including the cost of hiring a certified painting professional. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the national average lead paint removal project costs about $10,000.
Click here to view the Lead Paint Ordinance Guide
Sewer Lateral Inspection
The cost of this inspection can run between $250 and $500. If repairs are required, which is likely in older homes, that can add anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000.
Click here to view the Sewer Lateral Ordinance
What can you do to prepare for the sale of your home?
1) Be aware of the added cost and time Norristown’s inspection requirements will add to the sale of your home.
2) Read more about what Norristown will require of you when you sell your home by following the links above.
3) Talk to a local real estate professional about the best way to prepare for Norristown’s real estate inspections.
4) Ask your Norristown councilmember about these inspections. If a buyer is already ordering a private home inspection, why does Norristown need one? Contact your councilmember here.