A pre-listing inspection provides sellers with upfront information about the condition of their property, which gives them more control over repairs and potentially strengthens their negotiating position.
The scope of the inspection is the same as a buyer’s home inspection. It focuses on all major system and components of the house such as heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, roof and structure, siding; doors and windows. It is a full inspection for the seller to better understand the condition of their home prior to the buyer’s inspection. This gives the seller important information to consider so they are not caught off guard in the midst of a transaction.
The price of a home inspection usually runs anywhere from $350 to $500 for a qualified inspector who carries errors and omissions insurance. The price varies on location, square footage, the age of the home and any special conditions.
If a pre-listing inspection uncovers significant problems in the home they can be assessed for proper resolution. A real estate professional can advise whether the repairs are necessary to the viability of the sale. The seller can make it known that consideration of those items that need repair has already been factored into the sales price. This effectively takes these issues off the negotiation table. If the seller chooses to repair the issues prior to listing they have more control over repair costs.
Even though an inspection has already been done on the home, a buyer will definitely want to do a subsequent inspection to confirm that the issues in the pre-listing inspection have been repaired.