Few moments make sellers more anxious than the home inspection. You’ve accepted an offer, only to wonder what problems the inspector might uncover and whether they’ll scare off your buyer or lead to negotiation drama over repairs. No home is perfect, as inspectors like to say. That’s where seller prelisting home inspections enter the picture.
What’s a Prelisting Home Inspection?
Sellers now have the option of a prelisting home inspection, also called a preinspection or a preemptive home inspection, before putting their home on the market. It’s the same type of inspection a buyer would order. But by getting your own inspection done first, you can spot potential red flags, fix or disclose them upfront, and give buyers fewer reasons to back out, says Cara Ameer, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker’s Vanguard Realty, licensed in both California and Florida. “It’s better for you as a seller to get a grip on your home’s condition on your time and your terms before going to market,” she says.
Why More Sellers Opt for Prelisting Home Inspections
About 15% of home purchase contracts — roughly 50,000 — fell through in September 2025, according to Redfin. Inspections often play a role, as today’s buyers face high prices and mortgage rates and expect homes to be nearly flawless. When flaws are called out late in the process, some buyers walk away or demand costly repairs and concessions.
“Buyers today don’t want to buy a money pit,” Ameer says. “If it looks like too many things need repair or replacement, they’ll walk,” even if the fixes are minor. Offering up a prelisting home inspection report “sends a message to buyers that the seller is being transparent.”
A home preinspection also can help listings stand out, says Scott Geller, an appraiser and associate broker with RE/MAX Centre REALTORS®, in Jamison, Pa. “With more homes coming on the market, sellers face greater competition,” Geller says. “A preinspection gives sellers an edge by letting them address problems early and market the home as ‘move-in ready.’”
When HomeTeam Inspection Services — with 200-plus franchises nationwide — started marketing prelisting inspections in 2017, “everybody thought we were silly,” recalls Matt Cook, the director of business development. The reaction was, “The buyer’s going to do it; why would a seller double down and try to find all the problems?” But the idea has caught on, Cook says. “Sellers avoid the anxiety that comes with waiting for the buyer’s inspection and possibly haggling over repairs later.”
HomeTeam even offers yard signs that read, “This home has been preinspected.” It can be like a seal of credibility that helps listings stand out, Cook says.
What Sellers Can Expect from a Prelisting Home Inspection
During prelisting home inspections, home inspectors check the major systems a buyer’s inspector would examine: roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. They then provide a detailed report. Sellers can use it to repair smaller issues, price the home appropriately, and/or disclose findings to potential buyers.
The payoff is fewer surprises once the buyer’s inspection rolls around and sometimes, no second inspection at all. Many buyers waive their inspection if the seller provides a thorough preinspection report from a reputable company, Geller says. “It can eliminate the fear of the unknown and speed up the entire sales process.”
Fixing small problems based on the report’s findings can go a long way, adds Melissa Bailey, a real estate pro with the Jason Mitchell Group in Scottsdale, Ariz. “A drip under the bathroom sink, a loose faucet, a toilet that rocks — those are all simple things you can fix ahead of time so you don’t lose a buyer because they’re afraid,” says Bailey. Earlier this year, one of her listings fell out of contract with four buyers, one of whom walked away over minor issues noted in their inspection report.
Cons to Prelisting Home Inspections
Despite the benefits, a prelisting home inspection isn’t for everyone. Some real estate agents say it’s unnecessary in a fast-moving seller’s market. A typical inspection runs $300 to $500, according to Fixr.com, and that money could go toward cosmetic updates.
Also, once a seller knows about an issue, they’re often required to disclose it. Depending on your state’s laws, problems like foundation cracks or leaks may have to be shared with buyers, even if you don’t repair them. A buyer’s inspector can also still uncover something new, potentially reopening negotiations.
Is a Prelisting Home Inspection Worth It?
Ameer says it depends on your home and market. Newer or recently updated homes may not need one, but for older properties, she recommends it. “Do you have to fix everything? No,” she says. “But at least you can disclose what you found, say what you addressed, and price the property accordingly.”
Cook adds that preinspections offer peace of mind. “Imagine the confidence a seller feels catching potential red flags early,” he says. “It shows the seller has nothing to hide.”
Most buyers are going to find out about problems sooner or later — with their own inspection or yours, Ameer says. “It’s better to find out when you can control the timing and outcome, rather than later, when your deal could be on the line.”