How a Pre-Listing Inspection Helps Prevent Failed Sales

If there were one simple step that could help your home sale go according to plan, wouldn’t you want to know about it? For many sellers, the biggest surprises don’t happen when the home hits the market — they happen after an offer is accepted. And more often than not, the issue comes down to one critical moment in the transaction: the home inspection.

The Hidden Risk After You’re Under Contract

A lot of sellers assume that once they’re under contract, the hard part is over. But even after a buyer and seller agree on price and terms, several key things still need to go right for the deal to actually close.

One of the most common roadblocks is the inspection contingency. In fact, recent data shows that about 15% of home sales fall through, and according to Redfin, over 70% of those failed deals collapse due to repair issues uncovered during the inspection.

The good news? This is one of the few problems in a home sale that you can often get ahead of — before it ever becomes a deal-breaker.

Why Inspections Cause Deals to Fall Apart

When buyers order an inspection, they’re not just looking for major structural problems. Inspectors flag everything from aging roofs and outdated electrical panels to minor plumbing issues and deferred maintenance. Even small problems can lead to:

• Renegotiations that stall the deal

• Requests for large repair credits

• Buyers getting cold feet and walking away altogether

If multiple issues surface at once, buyers may feel overwhelmed or worry about what else could be wrong — especially in homes with older systems or renovations done years ago.

A Proactive Solution: The Pre-Listing Inspection

One way sellers can take control of this situation is by getting a pre-listing inspection.

A pre-listing inspection allows you to uncover potential issues before your home goes on the market. While it’s not required, it can be a smart move, particularly in today’s market where buyers are cautious and inspections play a major role in negotiations.

With a pre-listing inspection, you can:

• Identify repair issues early

• Decide what to fix ahead of time

• Price your home more accurately

• Reduce the chance of last-minute surprises

• Strengthen buyer confidence

This approach is especially helpful if you’re unsure about the condition of older systems, recent repairs, or how your home might look under an inspector’s microscope.

Does a Pre-Listing Inspection Make Sense for You?

A pre-listing inspection isn’t the right choice for every seller, but in some markets it can make a meaningful difference. If your home is older, has deferred maintenance, or you simply want more certainty going into the sale, it’s at least worth considering.

The key is having a strategy that fits your specific home, your timeline, and current market conditions.

Let’s Talk Strategy

If you’re thinking about selling and want to reduce the chances of your deal falling through, let’s talk about whether a pre-listing inspection makes sense for you.