Pre-Listing (Seller's) Inspection
What is a pre-listing or seller’s inspection?
A pre-listing, or seller’s inspection, is an inspection done before a home is listed for sale.
What are the advantages of a pre-listing inspection?
Having a pre-listing inspection done gives the seller options on how to handle discovered defects. They can:
- Make repairs themselves
- Have the repairs made by a contractor
- Disclose the defects
All of these options have advantages.
Making repairs yourself can save you a good amount of cash. If you have the repairs done by a contractor you have the luxury of time compared to having to get things done fast during a transaction. The last option, disclosing the defects, allows you to let the buyer know it’s there before they make an offer. That way it’s harder for them to ask you to correct the defect.
What’s inspected during a pre-listing inspection?
A pre-listing inspection can be a regular inspection where everything that is inspected in a buyer’s inspection is inspected in the pre-listing inspection. Or it can be a ‘major systems only’ inspection.
A major systems only inspection focuses on the larger more significant components of a home. What’s inspected during a major systems only inspection is:
- Roof
- Exterior
- Furnace
- Air conditioner
- Water heater
- Foundation
- Electrical panel
What’s missing from this list is windows, doors, appliances, bathroom fixtures, electrical outlets, lights, etc. However, many sellers may know the condition of these other items. And, if they don’t, it’s less impactful if they come up on their buyers inspection report. ,