Written by Wena Roeloffze, REALTOR and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Your Key to a Successful Sale

When it comes to selling your home, knowledge is power. While a buyer's inspection is standard practice, opting for a pre-listing home inspection, where you hire an inspector before putting your house on the market, can be a game-changer. Here's why this proactive step can benefit you as a seller:

1. Spot Hidden Issues

A pre-listing inspection unveils potential problems before they surprise you during negotiations. Identifying issues early allows you to address them on your terms, possibly avoiding last-minute haggling or deal-breakers. This is particularly helpful in cases where family members are selling an inherited property, where no remodeling or updating has been made in several years, tenant occupied properties and neglected or hoarding properties.

2. Accurate Pricing

Armed with insights from the inspection, you can price your home more accurately. Disclosing any issues and adjusting the price accordingly ensures transparency and fosters trust with potential buyers, potentially resulting in a smoother sale. If a buyer’s home inspection reveals issues, the first thing that happens in their minds, is a price reduction and an amendment to their offer. If all issues were disclosed before they made the offer and the property has been priced correctly, the chance of negotiation and offer amendments have been taken out of the equation.

3. Showcase Confidence

A pre-listing inspection demonstrates confidence in your property's condition. It shows that you're forthcoming about the home's condition, which can reassure buyers and build trust, leading to quicker and more successful negotiations. A home inspection contingency is by far the most stressful task for buyers and sellers alike. Buyers are anxious about what they are purchasing and sellers hope nothing serious pops up they have to address. By being prepared with knowledge about your home, you remove the stress from this contingency and set the correct expectations to buyers about making any repairs.

4. Time-Saving

By addressing repairs or issues preemptively, you save time during the selling process. Swiftly resolving issues identified in the inspection can expedite the sale, preventing delays that could arise from renegotiations after a buyer's inspection. I have many success stories where buyers waived a home inspection, because of the disclosures made by the sellers and the copy of a home inspection report with possible estimates or proof of repair. It saved an average of 12 days from accepted offer stage to closing day.

5. Better Marketing

Highlight the strengths of your home with the knowledge gained from the inspection. Use the positive aspects and the repairs made as selling points in your marketing materials, attracting potential buyers looking for a well-maintained property. I strongly believe in marketing a property with facts. Not only is that the legal way to protect yourself, but also ensures that as human beings, we are living ethically. Being open and honest about the home you are selling, is also putting your REALTOR in a better position to negotiate on your behalf, give you the best advice and make sure your property reaches the right qualified buyer quickly.

6. Negotiation Leverage

Having addressed known issues, you're in a stronger position during negotiations. Buyers may still choose to have their own inspections done, but will less likely ask for extensive repairs or demand drastic price reductions. Your leverage is in streamlining the process in your favor and making it easier for buyers to compete for your home.

7. Stress Reduction

The peace of mind gained from a pre-listing inspection is invaluable. Knowing the condition of your home beforehand, reduces the stress and uncertainty often associated with selling a property. I touched on this in the confidence section. So many transactions fall apart because of the home inspection amendment requests or defects/issues mentioned in the inspection report. Also remember, that if a transaction is cancelled, you have to disclose all the new issues in an amendment to your original seller condition report, and start the marketing process again. This can lead to less interest in your property and could cause a lot of anxiety you would rather want to avoid.

8. Avoid Surprises

A buyer's inspection may reveal issues that could derail the sale or lead to costly renegotiations. A pre-listing inspection allows you to proactively manage these issues before they become deal-breakers. I once worked with a buyer whose inspector discovered a small crack in a picture window and wood rot in another 2 windows. The unnecessary cost to the seller was just under $15k. That was a nasty surprise that could’ve been avoided.

9. Faster Closing

With fewer surprises and potential roadblocks, a pre-listing inspection can facilitate a quicker closing. Buyers are more likely to proceed swiftly when they feel confident about the property's condition. The lender will also feel more comfortable to act swiftly on the loan commitment, and with an appraiser report to substantiate disclosures and correct pricing, you will experience a smooth and easy sale.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a pre-listing home inspection is a strategic move that benefits both you, the seller, and potential buyers. It not only provides a comprehensive understanding of your property's condition but also positions you favorably in negotiations, expedites the selling process, and fosters trust and transparency. Consider it a proactive step towards a successful and stress-free home sale. We offer packages that include a free pre-listing inspection to our seller clients. To learn more about our free pre-listing inspections, get in touch by filling out the form below or go to our contact page.