A debated topic amongst REALTORS is often: "Is it a good idea for sellers to get a pre list home inspection?" In my mind it is.
Here are all the benefits of doing one:
Identifying Issues Early: A pre-listing inspection can uncover any potential issues or repairs that might be needed before you put your home on the market. This gives you the opportunity to address these problems in advance, rather than being surprised by them after a buyer makes an offer and conducts their own inspection.
Pricing Accuracy: Knowing the condition of your home can help you and your real estate agent price it more accurately. If there are fewer issues to worry about, you can justify a higher asking price. Conversely, if there are significant repairs needed, you can account for that in your listing price.
Enhancing Buyer Confidence: Providing a pre-listing inspection report to potential buyers can increase their confidence in the condition of the home and in the transparency of the transaction. This can make your home more attractive compared to other listings and may reduce the likelihood of negotiations being derailed by surprises during the buyer's inspection.
Streamlining the Sale Process: By addressing issues upfront, you can help ensure a smoother sales process. Buyers are less likely to request repairs or concessions if they know about the condition of the home from the start, potentially leading to a quicker closing.
Reducing Stress: Knowing exactly what you're selling can reduce the stress and anxiety of the selling process. It minimizes the chances of last-minute negotiations or demands from the buyer to fix certain issues before the sale can proceed.
What are the risks? The main risk is that if something that was a latent defect came up with your home that you did not know about, you, and your real estate agent would be obligated to legally required to disclose this. That being said, if you knew there was a major problem with your home, you'd likely want to have it fixed anyway!
As a seller, it can be stressful waiting around to hear how the home inspection went, and frustrating for a deal to die, or to receive a list of repairs requested by the buyer based on things found in an inspection. If the market is down, it makes sense to get one to know what you are looking at, and make the repairs beforehand.