A home inspection is not mandatory, but sellers may want one before they list their home. This will help avoid any surprises later. No matter how long you have lived in your house or how old it may be, there are unknown problems that could prevent you from selling.

A pre-inspection helps sellers know what the buyer will find in their inspection. Research shows that 85 percent of buyers receive at least one inspection in purchasing a home. Therefore, knowing what to expect can reduce stress and help avoid long negotiations.

If your home is new or has had recent updates, it may not be worth getting a pre-inspection.

Cost Of Pre-Listing A Home Inspection

Pre-listing home inspections can cost between $250 and $700, depending on the area and size of your house. Some sellers find the upfront cost to be worth the potential benefits of a pre-inspection. Once you've accepted an offer, you don't need to pay for another inspection. That's the responsibility of the buyer.

What Does A Pre-Listing Inspection Cover?

A pre-listing inspection inspects major systems, doors, mechanicals, windows, and doors. It also looks for signs such as water damage, mold, cracks, and mold. You can also opt to have radon testing done at your home, as well as internal mold testing and lead-paint testing.

Motives For A Seller's Home Inspection

Each seller has different motivations, but these are the most common reasons people hire a home inspector to inspect their home before listing it for sale.

Fear Of Losing A Buyer Due To Property Condition

You might conduct a pre-inspection if you are concerned about a buyer not inspecting the home thoroughly enough to fix any major problems before you list. This will save you time and prevent your buyer from leaving over major repairs.

The most common problems raised in a home inspection include roofing, plumbing, and electrical issues, termites or pests, mold or water damage, window or door problems, chimney damage, asbestos, and lead paint.

Fear Of Missing Out On Limited Offers Because Of Incorrect Pricing

You may not attract buyers if you don't properly price your home. You also run the risk that you accept an offer only for the buyer's inspector to find hidden issues and cancel the contract.

An unpaid contract will be visible on your property history online and in the MLS. Homes that have had multiple offers rejected by buyers and agents are often considered to be suspicious. Buyer's agents will ask you why you had your contract canceled.

Fear Of Equity Locked In Your Home

Sellers may use a pre-listing inspection to speed up the closing process. Sellers who are looking to put down a down payment for a home purchase will find this useful. If buyers are willing to waive their inspection after reading your pre-inspection, a pre-inspection could cut down on time it takes to sell your home.

Benefits Of A Pre-Listing Inspection

These inspections can help to alleviate some of the fears mentioned earlier.

Marketing Excellence

Pre-inspections can not only reveal negative things, but they can also provide you with an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of your home. For example, you can include positive news from your inspector, such as a furnace with many years left or a sewer connection in good condition.

It is possible to build trust by simply making your pre-inspection results available to buyers. Building trust with your buyer is important if you are selling by the owner (FSBO) since you will be working directly with your buyer.

Valuable Tips For Improvement

Pre-inspection helps sellers decide which upgrades and improvements they should make before they list. Follow the advice of your inspector, and you will be able to update those areas that are most urgently needed. You can also avoid making less important improvements. Buyers aren't only interested in cosmetic improvements. Buyers want to see that all major systems in your home are working properly. You can use your pre-inspection results to sell your home if you decide to replace your roof, upgrade your HVAC system, or install new energy-efficient windows.

More Negotiating Power

Knowing what the buyer will raise issues during an inspection allows you to price the property accordingly. This will increase your negotiating power. For example, if you have already included the cost of a new roof in your listing price and make it clear when you receive an offer, buyers will be less likely to return to you and lower the price.

You can also opt for a pre-inspection that is clean. This will give you more leverage in negotiations with buyers.

Save Time

You won't need to negotiate a lot with the buyer once they have completed their inspection. Also, if you have your repairs completed before you list, it will save you the hassle of trying to fit everything in while you pack and move.

Serious Buyers Will Be Attracted To You

It's a sign that a buyer is serious if they are already fully informed about the contents of your pre-inspection.

You Have The Opportunity To Supervise The Repair

Buyers will ask for credit or repairs if an issue is discovered during an inspection. In addition, the buyer may request that the work be completed by a licensed professional (not DIY) before closing.

If you are able to complete repairs before listing, then you have full control over who you hire (and how much you spend). You can also DIY smaller projects.

Disadvantages Of A Pre-Listing Home Inspection

It doesn't necessarily mean that the buyer's inspector would have caught it just because your inspector did. It's possible that you will find problems in your home if you perform a pre-inspection. Once you find out about them, you are usually required to fix them. More details are below.

Is It Required To Disclose Pre-Sale Inspections?

You must disclose any property condition issues you are aware of, regardless of whether you learned about them during pre-inspection. What information you must disclose varies depending on where you live. However, buyers are generally required to be informed about any major defects in your home. Even in states that have less strict disclosure laws, you must disclose any issue you are asked about.

Ask your agent to provide a list of disclosures required in your state. These disclosures are often related to major home systems, structural issues, or expensive items. Here are some examples of common disclosure questions.

• Are you aware that your home may contain lead-based paint?

• Are you aware of flooding in the past?

• Are foundation problems a concern in your home?

You should note that any items found during the pre-sale inspection will be disclosed along with any other issues discovered in your home. Interested buyers can request disclosures before making an offer. Disclosures are typically shared once an offer has been accepted.

Are Sellers Required To Disclose Items That Have Been Repaired?

Technically, the seller does not have to disclose if the issue is resolved. However, the rules are different from one state to the next. Consult your attorney or real estate agent for more information. It is a good idea to disclose items that you have repaired in order to make them more attractive to buyers.

Repairs To Point Out In Marketing

Sellers understand that repairs and maintenance are part of the ownership of a home. Therefore, buyers will be attracted to any repairs or upgrades that have been made recently. These are some repairs that buyers love to see.

• A New Roof:

  Replacing your roof can be expensive. Make sure you note it in your listing description. For example, "Roof replacement in 2019!"

• Updated Wiring:

  Call it out if you have worked to bring up your electrical system to code. This is especially important if you are selling an older house and potential buyers may be curious about the electrical.

• A New Furnace Or AC:

  Each major system in your house has an expected lifespan. Buyers shouldn't have to worry about having to replace a furnace/air-conditioning unit soon after purchasing. It can be a comfort to buyers if you have recently replaced one of these items.