If you intend to sell your home, you might wonder if going with a pre-listing inspection is a good idea. Usually, a buyer requests a home inspection (after finalizing the deal) and pays for it. Some home sellers don’t understand that hiring a certified home inspector in Phoenix and going with a pre-listing home inspection can benefit them and the buyer too. As a seller, you can avail yourself of many benefits while you get your pre-listing home inspection. The article below discusses these benefits, but we will first explain what a pre-listing inspection is. 

What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection?

The home seller or listing agent pays for a pre-listing inspection, which yields a written report on the property’s state. It might reveal any issues that might jeopardize a sale. It is relatively similar to a home inspection at any other point in the purchasing or selling of a home; the only difference is that it takes place before you list your home on the market.

Difference between a Regular Home Inspection and a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

Home inspections frequently occur just before the home’s sale is finalized and are typically funded by the buyer. Sellers can shorten the process by removing roadblocks before they can obstruct a prospective deal by relocating the inspection to the beginning of the sales cycle. A regular home inspection covers the same topics included in a pre-listing home inspection, such as the house’s foundation and structural integrity, roofing, siding, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and more.

Benefits for the Seller

• Making repairs beforehand – A pre-listing inspection will find problems that the seller might not be aware of. These problems might include a leak in the crawl space, roof damage, an infestation of insects or other wood-destroying microorganisms, and many more. This enables the seller to make the necessary repairs before advertising the property.
• Ensures smoother transaction – If a pre-listing inspection reveals problems, then the seller has two options: either address the issues before listing the house for sale or tell prospective purchasers about them. Either option will speed up the sale of the house by preventing drawn-out negotiations between the buyer and seller following the buyer’s thorough home inspection.
• Helps in pricing the house accurately – If a seller does not want to make the repairs identified by a pre-listing inspection, they can include the cost of repairs in the asking price. They can then inform potential buyers that although the house has issues, they may still be able to purchase it for less money. On the other hand, sellers who choose to make the necessary repairs or obtain a favorable house inspection report may increase their asking price.
• Saves seller’s money – The buyer and seller will negotiate to decide who will pay for repairs if the buyer’s home inspection reveals issues. Buyers frequently tend to overestimate the price of these repairs, which causes sellers to lose much more money than they would have paid to have the repairs made before offering the house. By performing the repairs noted in their pre-listing inspection in advance, the seller may save themselves thousands of dollars.
• Shows the seller as trustworthy – NACHI referred to a pre-listing inspection as “the ultimate act of transparency on the part of the seller.” Buyers can feel confident that they are making a deal with a reliable person who is not attempting to hide anything by being made aware of any problems in advance.

Benefits for the Buyers

• They get access to the information – Pre-listing inspections provide buyers access to data about the property they otherwise wouldn’t have had. It enables homebuyers to fully comprehend the extent and condition of the house they wish to purchase, enabling them to make a well-informed decision.
• Assures buyers – Buyers can feel confident that the investment they are about to make is sound thanks to a pre-listing inspection. Pre-listing inspections give buyers the assurance they need because buying a home is typically the most significant investment they will ever make.
• Emphasizes the need for routine maintenance and inspection – It’s a common misconception among homebuyers that a home only needs to be examined once, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. That misconception is corrected by a pre-listing inspection, informing potential buyers that frequent professional home inspection in Phoenix is essential. Professionals suggest that once every three years, a home should undergo inspection to maintain safety and durability. To ensure the health and safety of the house and those inside it, several home inspection companies offer a service for homeowners called a “Home Maintenance Inspection”. This inspection will re-inspect every item initially checked during the pre-listing and complete home inspection.

Benefits for the Real Estate Agents

• Helps them market the house – When a pre-listing inspection finds no problems, according to NACHI, real estate brokers can utilize it as a marketing tool to help sell the house. Even when issues are discovered, it still helps the real estate agent sell the home because they can be open about the house’s condition.
• It helps them get the seller’s appreciation and protects them legally – The Foundation of Real Estate Associates says that real estate agents should act in the best possible way for their clients. While if they don’t at least discuss the option of a pre-listing inspection with their client, then they might not be acting the best with their clients. An agent gets all the blame if clients lose the money and time they could’ve saved with the mention of pre-listing inspection. On the other hand, sellers will value an agent who spends the time going through all of their options.

Pre-listing inspections may even shield an agent from legal action for failing to operate in the client’s best interest, according to FREA.

• Facilitates smooth deal brokering – NACHI stated that the real estate agent typically has a concise amount of time to come up with repair estimates and schedule repairs when a buyer and seller commence negotiations after the buyer’s home inspection. A pre-listing inspection will avoid this last-minute scramble because buyers, sellers, and agents will be aware of problems before these negotiations occur. As a result, there is a higher likelihood that the transaction will proceed smoothly and be completed quickly.

If you plan to sell your house and plan to schedule a professional pre-listing home inspection, then there is no better choice than AJF Engineering’s home inspectors in Phoenix. Contact us now to book a detailed pre-listing home inspection and start your home-selling journey.