Home Inspection   

Pre-Listing Home Inspection for Sellers

You may wish to take a proactive approach to selling your home and have it inspected when you put it on the market. This allows you to prepare for issues a buyer might find and make repairs that could affect property negotiations. 

A professional home inspection report by a credentialed inspector is also a marketing tool in your effort to find prospective buyers. Even if a later inspection reveals defects in your home, the preliminary seller home inspection from a credentialed professional is proof that you have nothing to hide.

If you do have your home inspected before you list it, you may find defects you were previously unaware of. If so, it’s likely that you are legally responsible to disclose the presence of these defects to potential buyers. Consult with an attorney about any applicable laws relating to disclosure of pre-listing inspection results.

Sellers should understand that buyers will likely want another inspection to occur before purchase, by a home inspector they select. Sellers shouldn’t be offended if a potential buyer wants a second opinion – its best that both sides fully appreciate the soundness of the home before the contracts are signed.

Takeaways

• It can be a good idea to have your home inspected before you put it on the market.
• Use the results of a pre-listing inspection to correct any deficiencies before you put the home on the market.
• An inspection will prepare you for buyer questions and can be used when negotiating.

Did you know?

• If a pre-listing inspection reveals defects, you are likely legally responsible to disclose them to potential buyers.

To learn more, explore the advice on Home Inspections in this section of our site, and in the advice on Buying a Home. You can also talk with a Team Advantage GMAC Real Estate Sales Partner to get professional and experienced advice about working with and finding good Home Inspectors.