The Importance of a Pre-Listing Inspection

So, you’re thinking of selling your home. Maybe you’re the first owner; maybe not. There may be many issues about your home about which you are not aware.
 
That’s an assortment of things you need to do before you contact a Realtor and list your home. Certainly, finding a Realtor you are comfortable with should be at the top of your list.
 
But there’s something else you should do even before that – a pre-inspection listing.
 
Yes, I know there will be an inspection as part of the selling process. So, why invest in another one before that?
 
Our colleague, Terry Lehman, a Realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services, can explain why. Terry has been an expert here for us before in  an article about the importance of being educated in the buying or selling process.
 
So, we’re returning to Terry to learn about the benefits of a pre-listing inspection.
 
“It absolutely makes sense,” Lehman said. “Hiring an independent inspector would eliminate a lot of surprises. It gives you a chance to know what’s coming and reduce some of the stress of the selling process. While it may be money out of your pocket, there are good reasons for it.”
 
The first, and most important is that you will know the exact condition of your home.
 
Knowing the home’s condition in advance eliminates being blindsided by an unexpected problem that could make the difference during the sale.
 
“Wouldn’t it be better to know before you put your home on the market that you need a new roof or extensive repairs?” he said.
 
Knowing this information in advance makes the pricing process much simpler. One of the most difficult parts of selling your home is determining the price. If you know what issues exist, you and your Realtor can work together to find the perfect price point. That’s often the difference between a quick sale and no sale.
 
A pre-listing inspection is also useful in  determining the extent of repairs you may want to  make before putting your home on the market. 
 
“Waiting for the buyer’s inspection can result in costly repairs on a tight schedule,” Lehman said. “It can also kill the sale.”
 
Working with your Realtor, you can decide before listing what repairs should be made and which ones can be left for the buyer. Of course, you should make the buyer aware upfront about potentially needed repairs, as they can impact the selling price.
 
“Finally, you must pick an inspector that you can trust; a skilled professional  who will accurately and honestly identify all the issues,” Lehman said. “The last thing you need is a pre-inspection listing that does not reveal problems later discovered in the buyer’s inspection.”
 
So, if selling your home is on the horizon, consider a pre-listing inspection. Yes, it’s an expense, but it could be well worth it in the long run.
 
Next time, Mr. Rick’s blog will look at the type of water piping in your home and the signs to look for to tell you it is time for a re-pipe.