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Just Imagine....

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Home Inspector with SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties 450.004175

Just Imagine..... 

     Clients have been getting home inspections since the mid 1980's. 90+% of the inspections are for the buyers. They are many times referred to the home inspection  company by their trusted real estate agent or friend. Some search for us on the web or google. A very small percentage of agents and sellers get an inspection before they list their home on the market. They are trying to get a handle on things that would very likely derail a possible sale because the buyer doesn't have the time to wait for repairs, has a past history with this type of issue, or get's talked out of the house by a relative or friend advising them to run away, keep looking. There could be other reasons, but the point is, something in the inspection turned them away from the house.

     So just imagine, if the sellers had done a prelisting inspection. They were able to take their time with the list of issues they could either fix themselves or get quotes from contractors to get the issues corrected. When they are satisfied that the house is ready to list, they call their agent, put a copy of the inspection report on the kitchen counter and also a copy of the receipts showing the repairs and move ahead with offers knowing the buyer's home inspection repair requests are going to be minimal at best.

     So just imagine if they had not gotten a pre-listing inspection, and you brought one of your buyers to this house, and their inspection report showed up with this disaster of a roof truss system? There were 6 different trusses with similar major structural damage sections. These sellers were so smart getting the pre-listing inspection. One talky buyer's realtor would have spread this story all over their office and the house would have maybe never sold, at least not anywhere close to what it was valued at.  

 

 

Comments(14)

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Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp
SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties - Bourbonnais, IL
The Home Inspector With a Heart!

The seller did finally agree that it was best to repair this disaster. Her initial comment was that this was just the house "settling". 

Apr 14, 2025 07:26 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Scott - knowledge can be powerful.  A pre-market home inspection makes sense in some, but not necessarily all scenarios.  

Apr 14, 2025 07:59 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Scott
I loved pre-listing inspections, but as you indicated, they were rare.

Apr 14, 2025 11:39 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks, Scott Schulte! This is such a valuable perspective on pre-listing inspections. I love the idea of sellers taking charge of their home's story before it hits the market—it's a real game changer for closing those deals!

Apr 14, 2025 12:03 PM
Scott Schulte

Thanks. That was a valuable comment that we always appreciate, but I believe it was meant for Scott, who wrote this post. I have wondered if pre-inspections could also help against a buyer who may tamper with the house. I hope that never happens but what if.... 

Apr 14, 2025 12:13 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Scott I am a fan of home inspections for sellers and have had many done over the years.  It's just part of making sure the home is in top top condition and 'parade ready' the moment it goes on the market......and those are the homes that sold fast and for top dollar almost always.

Apr 14, 2025 12:29 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

A great post and reminder to all buyers how important the inspection process is. Thank you.

Apr 14, 2025 01:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Scott- it's hard for a buyer to "un-see" a major defect in a house they're looking at. If I were selling, I'd consider a pre-listing inspection and were I a buyer, an inspection is a must. 

Apr 14, 2025 06:52 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Hello Scott. I believe a pre-inspection is a win-win for both buyers and sellers. I have had sellers who will also pay a pre-appraisal before putting their property on the market. Thanks for your post.

Apr 15, 2025 03:54 AM
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Recently had a deal that took lots of superglue and tape to keep together that a pre-list inspection would have prevented.  

Apr 16, 2025 01:26 PM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Knowledge and Common Sense is Key in this business. You have to have that in order to be successful.

 

Apr 18, 2025 10:39 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes indeed, doing a pre-listing inspection can save stress and money in the sale process!

Apr 19, 2025 05:57 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

As my mother used to say.....an ounce of prevention...etc.  I have worked with plenty of sellers that simply did not want to spend the money on an unnecessary inspection and most times it works out for the best.  I am a huge proponent of being proactive and the pre listing inspection is well worth the peace of mind.

Apr 19, 2025 07:54 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty (Salina Group) | Broker
Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Scott Seaton Jr., your message hits home—pre-listing inspections are such a smart move! 💡 You're not just inspecting houses, you're empowering sellers and protecting dreams. Keep up the heart-driven work! #StayMotivated #SmartSellers #PeaceOfMind 🛠️🏡

Apr 19, 2025 10:03 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp a prelisting home inspection is something I have ALWAYS felt was a wise thing for Sellers to do, but unfortunately I do not see many of them done around here.

Apr 26, 2025 11:41 AM