Why the Inspection Still Matters. Even in a Seller’s Market

In a competitive market, sellers have the upper hand. Homes sell fast, often with multiple offers, and sometimes buyers even waive inspections entirely. So does the home inspection really matter?

Short answer: Yes! Problems don’t disappear just because the market is hot.

If issues come up during the buyer’s inspection, it can lead to:

• Price renegotiations

• Request for repairs or credits

• Buyers walking away

In other words, the inspection can still derail your sale or eat into your final profit if you’re not prepared.

Should You Get a Pre-Listing Inspection?

Here’s my take:

In many cases, no, you don’t need one.

If your home is relatively updated, well-maintained, and we’re in a strong seller’s market, a pre-listing inspection could do more harm than good. Why?

Because if you discover something significant, like a foundation issue or roof problem, you’re legally obligated to disclose it. And that could spook buyers before they even make an offer.

But there are a few situations where a pre-listing inspection might make sense:

• Your home is older and you haven’t had major systems checked in years

• You want to attract cash buyers or investor interest and show transparency

• You plan to price aggressively and want to head off any surprises

When used strategically, it can create buyer confidence—but only when the risk of major discoveries is low.

The Hidden Value of Knowing What’s Behind the Walls

Even if you skip the pre-listing inspection, it’s important to remember that whatever a buyer’s inspector finds will likely affect the deal. If we uncover likely issues during our walkthrough, like an aging HVAC, outdated electrical, or a leaky faucet. we can price accordingly or decide what’s worth fixing first.

Knowing what might come up gives us leverage:

• We can factor potential repairs into the list price

• We can decide whether to “fix it or forget it”

• We can market the home with full confidence

Final Thoughts

Home inspections don’t set the value of your home but they absolutely influence it. Whether it’s your inspection or the buyer’s, the findings can impact price negotiations, buyer confidence, and how quickly you close.

The key is knowing how to use inspection strategy to your advantage. That’s where I come in.  If you’re thinking of selling and want a smart pricing plan that accounts for inspection risks (without overcorrecting), let’s talk.       ClickHERE to connect!