Thinking of selling your home? A smart way to get ahead of the curve might just be a pre-listing inspection.
Before the first buyer ever walks through the door, more and more sellers are choosing to have their homes inspected upfront. Known as a pre-listing inspection, this optional step for sellers can reveal potential problems ahead of listing — and might just be the secret to a smoother sale.
A pre-listing inspection is a move that’s gaining traction in today’s unpredictable market. According to recent Redfin data, roughly 15% of home sale contracts were canceled in June 2025, often due to issues uncovered during the buyer’s home inspection after an accepted offer. In response, savvy sellers are taking a proactive approach to avoid surprises where possible and ease the journey to closing with a pre-listing inspection.
What is a pre-listing inspection?
A pre-listing inspection, or seller’s inspection, is exactly what it sounds like: a home inspection ordered by the seller before the property goes on the market.
How it works: A licensed home inspector goes through the ins and outs of a home, just like in a typical home inspection, to identify any potential problems or repairs that might concern a buyer.
Inspection specialist Yolaine Bonner, Vice President of Florida Insurance Inspection, recommends sellers conduct a pre-listing inspection anywhere from six months to a year ahead of listing their home:
“This allows ample time to address any necessary repairs without feeling rushed,” Bonner advises. Sellers can then tackle problems on their own terms, list the house at a good price point, and even be more prepared for future negotiations.
What does a pre‑listing inspection cover?
A pre-listing inspection gives sellers a full report of the condition of their home, including anything that might need to be repaired now or to keep an eye on for the future.
While the exact inspection checklist for sellers can…