Seller inspections (sometimes referred to as pre-listing inspections) are becoming more popular because they virtually eliminate all the pitfalls and hassles associated with waiting to do the inspections until a buyer is found.   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 that tour the home for sale.  Seller inspections are a benefit to all parties in a real estate transaction. 

 

Advantages to the seller:

  • The seller can choose their own inspector rather than be at the mercy of the buyer's choice of inspector.
  • The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience.  
  • The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer's inspection.
  • The seller can have the inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report before it is generated.
  • The report can help the seller realistically price the home if problems exist.
  • The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't exist or have been corrected.
  • A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time which:
    • might make the home show better.
    • gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.
    • permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
    • removes over-inflated buyer procured estimates from the negotiation table.
  • The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety issues found, before agents and visitors tour the home.
  • A seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.
  • A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on the part of the seller.
  • The report might relieve a prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
  • A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
  • The report might encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
  • The deal is less likely to fall apart the way they often do when a buyer's inspection unexpectedly reveals a problem, last minute.
  • The report provides full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

Advantages to the real estate agent:

  • Sellers can schedule the inspections at seller's convenience with little effort on the part of agents.
  • Sellers can have inspectors correct any misstatements in the reports before they are generated.  
  • Agents are alerted to any immediate safety issues found, before other agents and potential buyers tour the home.
  • Quick repairs made ahead of time might make homes show better.
  • Reports hosted online entice potential buyers to tour the homes.
  • Clean reports can be used as marketing tools to help sell the homes.  
  • Seller inspections eliminate buyer's remorse that sometimes occurs just after an inspection.
  • Seller inspections reduce the need for negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
  • Seller inspections relieve the agent of having to hurriedly procure repair estimates or schedule repairs.
  • The reports might encourage buyers to waive their inspection contingencies.
  • Deals are less likely to fall apart the way they often do when buyer's inspections unexpectedly reveal problems, last minute. 
  • Reports provide full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

Advantages to the home buyer:

  • The inspection is done already.
  • The inspection is paid for by the seller.
  • The report provides a more accurate, third-party view of the condition of the home prior to making an offer.
  • A seller inspection eliminates surprise defects.
  • Problems are corrected or at least acknowledged prior to making an offer on the home.
  • A seller inspection reduces the need for negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
  • The report might assist in acquiring financing.
  • A seller inspection allows the buyer to sweeten the offer without increasing the offering price by waiving inspections.