Seller pre-listing inspections are becoming more popular because they virtually eliminate all the pitfalls and hassles associated with waiting to do the home inspection until a buyer is found. In many ways, waiting to schedule the inspection until after a home goes under agreement is too late. Seller inspections are arranged and paid for by the seller, usually just before the home goes on the market. The seller is the inspector’s client. The inspector works for the seller and generates a report for the seller. The seller then typically makes multiple copies of the report and shares them with potential buyers who tour the home for sale.
Seller inspections are a benefit to all parties in a real estate transaction. They are a win-win situation. Eventually, your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:
- It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third party.
- It helps you to price your home realistically.
- It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so defects won’t become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
- You have the time to hire reasonably priced contractors to make repairs.
- It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
- It may alert you to items of immediate concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
- It may relieve prospects’ concerns and suspicions.
- It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
- It alerts you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.
Copies of the inspection report, along with receipts for any repairs, should be made available to potential buyers