What is a pre-listing inspection?

Pe-listing inspections (sometimes referred to as seller 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.

Advantages to  pre-listing inspection:

For the Seller:

1. The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience.
2. It might alert the seller to any items of immediate concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
3. The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer's inspection.
4. The seller can have the inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report before it is generated.
5. The report can help the seller realistically price the home if problems exist.
6. The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't exist or have been corrected.

For the Real Estate Agent:

1. Repairs made ahead of time might make homes show better.
2. Reports hosted online entice potential buyers to tour the homes.
3. The reports provide third-party, unbiased opinions to offer to potential buyers.
4. Clean reports can be used as marketing tools to help sell the homes.
5. The reports might relieve prospective buyers' unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
6. Seller inspections eliminate "buyer's remorse" that sometimes occurs just after an inspection.
7. Seller inspections reduce the need for negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.