Preparing to sell your home can be an exciting but also daunting process. One crucial step in this journey is inspecting your home before putting it on the market. A comprehensive home inspection is a valuable tool for both sellers and potential buyers, objectively assessing your property's condition and identifying any underlying issues that may affect its value.
By understanding the significance of a home inspection, you can ensure that your property is in top shape and increase your chances of a successful sale.
Pros of a home inspection
Peace of mind
Peace of mind is arguably the top reason to get your home inspected before selling it. Without an inspection, you will be listing your home without knowing for sure if there are any significant repairs or issues to be addressed. In some cases, you may already have a firm idea of what’s going on behind the scenes in your home, but you are unlikely to be absolutely sure in the absence of an inspection.
There’s no need to list your home, wait for a prospective buyer, wait for that prospective buyer to get an inspection, and then find out what’s going on with your home. You can know today with a low-cost, non-invasive pre-listing inspection.
Better negotiations
Getting a home inspection before selling will not just help you to sleep better at night; your added peace of mind will translate to a stronger position when negotiating with buyers. Since you will already know what moving into your home will entail for the buyer, you can more confidently set a list price and negotiate a favorable outcome for your home sale.
Fewer delays
A pre-listing inspection could help avoid delays in the sale process when the buyer gets an inspection. Getting an inspection will allow you to address — or at least become aware of — issues with your home’s internal structure. That will significantly reduce the probability that the buyer’s inspection will uncover something that needs to be negotiated and addressed before the sale can proceed. Otherwise, home sales may be delayed for months due to repairs and other issues.
Cons of a home inspection
Cost
Forbes Advisor estimates $300-500 for typical home inspections, so cost isn’t a particularly daunting con of getting your home inspected. However, other costs may come up during your home sale, so any added costs will be a nuisance. Furthermore, repairs will cost you the same whether you pay for an inspection in advance or wait for the buyer to get an inspection.
Logistics
You have many things to plan and consider when preparing your home for sale. While a home inspection can be relatively non-invasive, a professional must be in your home for several hours. That’s one more thing you need to plan in addition to all the cleaning, staging, and other work needed when preparing a home for sale.
Redundancy
Just because you get a home inspection before selling doesn’t mean a prospective buyer won’t get a home inspection before buying. As such, you do have the option to simply wait on the buyer’s inspection. Buyers sometimes waive inspections altogether, which means that some homeowners can sell without any inspection. However, that is not the norm, and it’s not what realtors generally recommend to their clients.
Key takeaways
Pre-listing inspections aren’t mandatory
If you don’t want to get your home inspected before selling, you don’t have to. A pre-listing inspection could be redundant if you have a newly constructed home or recently had it inspected or renovated. If you simply prefer to wait for the buyer to order an inspection, the choice is yours.
Inspections add time and money to your sale process — on the front end
Inspections aren’t free and can’t be done instantaneously or remotely. You will have to spend a modest amount of money and allow someone into your home for a few hours. The advantage would be that you won’t have to worry about the buyer’s inspection turning up something unexpected later in the home sale process.
Getting an inspection is probably worth it
In most cases, getting a pre-listing inspection will be worth it. You can reassure yourself and your prospective buyers that the home is safe and sound.
Home inspection FAQs
How do I schedule a home inspection?
In most cases, the same professional home inspectors who would assist you when you are buying a home can be of service when you are selling a home. A cursory online search should yield several options in your area. Choose a licensed home inspection professional who seems reputable and has good reviews, or ask your realtor for a recommendation.
What repairs are legally required after a home inspection?
Legal requirements vary between different areas, and your realtor can advise you accordingly. Your home doesn’t need to be perfectly move-in ready in all cases. Beyond the minimum legal requirements, it is up to you and a prospective buyer to negotiate what — if any — repairs need to be made prior to completing the home sale.
How can I prepare my home for an inspection?
There is little you need to do to prepare for a home inspection. As a general rule, the more clean and less cluttered your home is, the easier it will be for a home inspector to navigate. The home does not have to be empty, but it should be easily accessible and navigable.
In summary, you can’t go wrong with a pre-listing inspection. You will pay a few hundred dollars for added peace of mind and smoother negotiations during your sale. If you’re looking for additional advice related to your home and area, it’s time to contact a local real estate agent.
Local Life Realty is an Austin-based firm that works with buyers and sellers in Texas and Florida. Their expert agents can work with you to determine the best, most hassle-free plan for selling your home. You don’t have to decide about a home inspection before selling. Talk to a real estate professional at Local Life Realty when you are ready, and plan to sell your home with expert help.
*Header photo courtesy of Justin Pistorius | Local Life Realty
