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What's Best? Pre-Listing or Pre-Offer Home Inspections?

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

What's Best?  Pre-Listing or Pre-Offer Home Inspections?

There is a lot of discussion in a local real estate forum on social media in Northern Virginia as to whether listing agents are allowing enough time to market a home for pre-offer home inspections.  Hmmm.  Seems to me, based on what I know of our Residential Sales Contract in Northern Virginia, that permission to have an inspection is something needed from the seller before one is conducted. 

This got me thinking.  In a market where many buyers are willing to waive a home inspection entirely, a pre-listing home inspection by the sellers and provided to all interested buyers would be a great to be in charge of when an insepction is happening and who is doing it, and put buyers' mind at ease, avoiding buyer's remorse.

There is probably no one size fits all scenario, but you can read more about my thoughts on the subject of both pre-listing and pre-offer home inspections on my personal blog today.

Comments(4)

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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

this is a good topic to put out there for people to consider before they jump into the middle of a bidding war.

Feb 10, 2021 07:39 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

There's so much frenzy in the market on the part of buyers Lise Howe .  Brought this topic up in an office Zoom meeting and had good discussion about it.

Feb 11, 2021 10:12 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Chris Ann Cleland - I think that people are doing this in our Westchester market.

Feb 11, 2021 03:52 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

I bet a lot of the markets are.

Feb 11, 2021 10:12 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Chris Ann - reading your post brings a thought to mind:  any blanket statement, whether in real estate or in real life, is likely in need of two things. 

First, sleep on it.  Often this is figurative but it can also be literal.  Pause continues to be a good thing. 

And second when it comes to blankets --- I think Linus Van Pelt, from the Peanuts comic strip fame by Charles Schulz, is an expert.  And expert advice may be "best".    Look towards the "expert".   I believe Mr. Van Pelt might even say - there is not a one-size-fits-all solution.  

Feb 11, 2021 04:15 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

There is definitely no one size fits all solution.

Feb 11, 2021 10:13 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Chris Ann. Ihave suggested a seller get a home inspection in the past and also advised it was not necessary. Every situation is different and we must fo forward with an open mind. Enjoy your day!

Feb 11, 2021 05:17 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

It depends on the sellers.

Feb 11, 2021 10:13 AM