Should I Pre-Inspect My House Before Selling?

By Rachel Mooney

Rachel has built a reputation for making the complex process of buying and selling homes not only enjoyable but also financially rewarding. Her deep understanding of the local market, combined with her genuine passion for helping families transition through different stages of life, has allowed her to serve hundreds of clients with exceptional care and professionalism.

Do you need to sell your home fast? In this market, that’s no easy task. Due to higher interest rates, home prices, and lower demand, you can’t just throw your home on the MLS and expect it to sell in a couple of days. That being said, you can still sell quickly in this market; you just need to put in a little work. That’s why I always recommend my sellers do a pre-listing inspection if they want to spend as little time on the market as possible. Here are three key benefits of pre-inspecting your home:

1. You can hit the market with a clean product. The bottom line is that homes in better condition sell faster and for more money. Think about your pre-inspection like certifying a used car. Certified cars are a more desirable product, so people will be willing to pay more money faster. On the other hand, buyers will try to draw things out and get every opportunity in negotiations if your house is an unknown quantity.

2. You can fix major issues before hitting the market. As an agent, I’ve seen this situation play out too many times: My client finds the perfect buyer who is willing to give them everything they want and more. However, this buyer finds some major problem during the inspection process, and the deal is off. A pre-inspection will help you find any “dealbreakers” you need to take care of ahead of time, which will protect your sale.

3. Pre-inspections give you leverage in negotiations. When you have a better product, you can ask for more concessions. Whether you want a quick sale, more money, or better terms, you need leverage to get what you want. One of the worst things that can happen during negotiations is for your buyer to use repairs as a negotiating point. By addressing issues upfront and creating more demand for your home, you can negotiate with a stronger position and get what you really want.

Hopefully, you understand why pre-inspections are so important. If you want to sit down for a pre-listing consultation, just call or email me. It’s 100% free, and there’s no obligation to hire me if things don’t work out or you change your mind about selling. I look forward to hearing from you!