Pre listing inspection — when it helps
The right pre listing inspection can reduce surprises and speed closing. Use it to find and fix the few items that matter most in your market.
When it can help
- Older homes with likely safety or system concerns.
- Short timelines where delays would be costly.
- Buyer pools that value move in ready and clean reports.
When to skip it
- Very new homes with transferrable warranties.
- Hot segments where demand is already strong.
- When scope creep would waste prep dollars.
Make it pay back
- Fix only the safety and system items that buyers will care about.
- Keep receipts and photos for buyer confidence.
- Update the disclosure and highlight improvements in the listing.