The Pros and Cons of Getting an Inspection Before Selling Your Home

When purchasing a home, buyers typically hire a professional inspector to assess the condition of the home’s major systems and structures. However, some sellers opt to procure their own inspections before they even list their homes for sale. If you’re wondering whether to take this step before selling your home, here are a few pros and cons to consider:

- Pro - a pre-sale home inspection will uncover any problems and allow you to rectify them before they risk deterring a potential buyer. When pending sales fall apart, it’s often due to a major issue that was discovered during the buyer’s home inspection. Obtaining your own inspection and fixing any problems will help you avoid this.

- Pro - showing buyers your home inspection will boost their confidence in making an offer. One of the biggest concerns buyers face is that they will fall in love with a home that has significant underlying problems. Knowing that a professional inspector has already examined the home and confirmed that it is in sound condition will alleviate those concerns.

- Con - you’ll have to pay for an inspection. While buyers typically pay for the inspection, you would be responsible for the costs of obtaining your own. These costs generally range from $400 to $1,000 depending on the going rates in your area.

- Con - you may be legally required to disclose any issues revealed by the inspection. The laws regarding what sellers must disclose to potential buyers vary significantly from state to state. Obtaining an inspection before selling your home gives you an opportunity to make needed repairs—but if you can’t afford to make them or choose not to, you may be obligated to disclose them to buyers, which could cause buyers to quickly lose interest. However, being transparent about your home’s flaws is always recommended from an ethical, legal, and practical standpoint.