It’s customary for home buyers to request a home inspection before they commit to buying a place. This allows them to make sure they know what they’re getting into, identifying any underlying problems with the house and requesting repairs from the seller.
But as the seller, you don’t have to wait until you have a buyer on your hands to schedule a home inspection. For some, the best way to sell a property is to have the inspection in advance, letting you be the first to know about any potential issues, and to address them before buyers show up.
By no means is this required but it’s something worth thinking about, and it may even help you get the home sold a little more quickly. Allow us to explain why.
Why Have a Home Inspection Before You Have a Buyer?
One reason to have a pre-listing inspection is that it tells you exactly what condition your home is in. Keep in mind that it’s precisely at the inspection that many real estate deals fall apart, with the buyer becoming aware of some deep underlying issues. For this reason, many sellers really dread the inspection, knowing that their home sale could crumble once the inspector’s report comes in.
By having your own inspection, though, you can help alleviate that anxiety and move forward with a much clearer understanding of what state your property is in. This can help smooth the way to getting your home sold.
Having an inspection also enables you to make some repairs, ensuring that your home is in top condition for buyers, maximizing the odds of a strong first impression.
On a related note, when you’re able to provide the buyer with an inspection report before they even make you an offer, it helps improve their confidence.
Finally, because an inspection reveals the true state of your home, it allows you to price the place a little more accurately. Note that one of our top house selling tips is to price with precision, and an inspection makes that more doable.
Are There Any Cons to Having a Pre-Listing Inspection?
Sometimes, having a pre-listing inspection is the best way to sell a property; there are a few potential caveats, however.
The most obvious is that you’ll have to pay for that inspection yourself, which can eat into your profit margin just a little bit.
The other big drawback is that, depending on the state disclosure laws in your area, you may or may not have to reveal to potential buyers the issues your inspection uncovers. This may put you in a tough spot of having to make big repairs or dramatically reduce your asking price.
The bottom line for homesellers is that having a pre-listing inspection can often, if not always, be advantageous. To get more house selling tips, request your SOLD.com report today!
