To Inspect or Not to Inspect: A Seller’s Dilemma Before Listing
Heather Reed | August 4, 2025
Heather Reed | August 4, 2025
Welcome to another edition of True Confessions with Your Trusted Real Estate Professionals. Today, we’re talking to sellers — specifically about one of the most common questions we get before listing a home:
"Should I get a pre-inspection before putting my home on the market?"
It’s a fair question. Take my own home, for example. I’ve got a 23-year-old water heater and a brand-new furnace. Everything works fine — or at least, so I think. But here’s the thing: the inspector’s job is to find every wart, every hidden issue, even the ones you didn’t know existed.
That means:
Your buyer may have concerns.
The Upside of Pre-InspectionGetting a pre-inspection as a seller gives you clarity. You’ll know what needs attention and you’ll have the time to:
Choose your own contractors
Make smart, cost-effective repairs
Eliminate surprises when buyers bring in their inspector
The DownsideOnce you know what’s wrong, you must disclose it. That becomes part of your due diligence. There's no hiding things and hoping the buyer’s inspector misses it. Also, you might invest in fixes that your future buyer doesn’t care about — while ignoring things they do.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your timeline, market conditions, and the current condition of your home. That’s where we come in.
We’re here to help you maximize your equity and minimize surprises. Let’s talk strategy before you list.
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