Why Sellers Should Get a Pre-Listing Inspection

When you decide on selling your Big Island home, you might feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Working with a good agent can make your life easier, and something I often recommend to my sellers is doing a pre-listing home inspection before your home hits the market. This might seem like you’re adding more to your already-long to-do list, but a seller’s inspection can actually speed up the sales process.

Determine the Condition of Your Big Island Home Before Selling

The most important reason for doing a seller’s inspection is to get to the bottom of any issues that might be found during the buyer’s due diligence period. The expertise of the home inspectors on the Big Island can help you understand the condition of your home by pinpointing any issues before you start the process of selling.

Ability to Do Repairs in Advance

Finding out about any problems, both major and minor, ahead of time allows you the opportunity to fix things. In some cases, fixing an issue could be less expensive for you to do ahead of time instead of waiting for buyers to give negative feedback. This means you can get under contract quicker and often bring higher offers.

Major repairs – such as mold remediation and replacing air conditioners – may be costly, but in many cases, these can be deal breakers for buyers. Knowing about these problems through a pre-listing inspection will give you time to source new appliances before buyers ever know there is an issue.

Prepare for Negotiations

Already having estimates for repairs can help with price negotiations if a buyer comes back during their inspection period and asks for a lower price or a credit back for repairs. While they are always free to get their own estimates, chances are they will defer to the one you already have. Knowing the cost of repairs helps you mentally prepare for any price reductions they may request, too, making the whole process smoother for all involved.

You can avoid getting caught up in back-and-forth negotiations with buyers or worse, having them cancel the contract because of a major repair you were not expecting.

What to Fix and What Not to Fix

I have done many pre-home inspections and buyers inspections. I help you navigate which repairs might be worth it and which big-ticket items may be acceptable for the buyer to repair after closing.

Improve Buyer Confidence

The fact that you took initiative in doing an inspection will earn you some points with prospective buyers. Smaller tasks like recaulking around tubs and sinks or cleaning out gutters make the home look like it’s been cared for. This increased credibility further improves buyer confidence and trust when selling your Big Island home.

Minimize Stress with a Seller’s Inspection

While at first glance, going ahead with a pre-listing inspection when selling your Big Island home may seem like it adds stress, it actually allows you the comfort of knowing what will pop up when the buyer inevitably has his own inspection. The more you know going into it will keep you from being blindsided.

From what I have seen, sellers are typically thankful they took advantage of the pre-listing inspection option. They’re ready for whatever buyers might throw at them and it streamlines the selling process to make for a smoother escrow period.

Selling Your Big Island Home/Condo

If you’re looking into selling your Big Island home and want to know more about how a knowledgeable agent can help you sell faster and for a higher bottom line, please check out my other Big Island real estate posts or contact me for a personalized listing appointment. I’ve had experience representing both buyers and sellers and I’m happy to use my expertise to get your home sold.

With Aloha,
Leeana