When it comes time to sell your home, you want the process to go smoothly and successfully. Instead of worrying about staging, curb appeal and pricing, one of the most valuable aspects that many sellers fail to consider is obtaining a . pre-listing home inspection.
A pre-listing home inspection is a professional assessment of your home’s defects before placing it on the market. It differs from a home’s buyer’s inspection (after an offer is made) and gives you control over the sale process without unforeseen discoveries, schedules, or last-minute negotiations.
Find out why it’s worth your while as a Guelph seller to work with Building Insights for a pre-listing home inspection.
Benefits of Getting a Home Inspection Before Listing Your House for Sale
1. Discover Issues Before Interested Buyers Do
Your buyer will get an inspection of their own and if it uncovers significant issues (roof leaks, poor electrical work, mold) your buyer might:
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Request major repairs to be done
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Make a low-ball offer
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Choose to go away
Getting a home inspection before selling your house uncovers these issues ahead of time so that you can either fix them—at your option—or give a reasonable (discounted) price to those who would be irked otherwise if they discovered the problem on their own.
2. Speed Up the Selling Process
When buyers see in the notes that there is already an inspection report done and available the serious buyers are bought and sold. They won’t want to explore further or try and negotiate differently. This means a faster transaction in hot markets—like Guelph.
3. Justify your Listing Price
A pre-listing inspection report validates your property value. Therefore, justifying your asking price is much simpler. Should repairs be needed, you have two options:
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Have them done beforehand (which only increases your property value)
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Disclose them upfront with estimates so buyers aren’t as quick to walk away.
4. Create Goodwill Among Potential Buyers
A pre-listing inspection report gives potential buyers information upfront. People appreciate knowing what they’re getting and it helps to minimize skepticism and create goodwill which often translates to higher offers.
5. Avoid Last Minute Deal Killers
There’s nothing worse than a home sale falling through days before closing because something comes up on the buyer’s inspection. A pre-listing inspection avoids any shocks from happening in the future and keeps the transaction fluid until the end.
What Does a Pre-Listing Inspection Include?
With Building Insights, you will be subject to a full inspection of:
✅ Structural integrity (foundation, walls and roof)
✅ Electrical & plumbing components
✅ HVAC & insulation assessment
✅ Moisture & mold situations (thermal imaging included)
✅ Safety issues (wiring, missing railings, etc.)
You’ll receive a full digital report with photos to highlight what fixes or improvements you want to undertake yourself or disclose to potential buyers.
“But Won’t An Inspection Scare My Buyers Off?”
Sellers fear that by drawing attention to faults, buyers will run—but this isn’t true. Buyers know homes are not brand new. Therefore, by disclosing any significant findings, you:
✔ Demonstrate how much care you’ve put into your home
✔ Reduce chances of buyers walking away after negotiating
✔ Bring in buyers who appreciate the transparency from the start
What Should You Do to Prepare for a Pre-Listing Inspection?
Before your inspection, you might:
🔹 Make minor repairs (leaky faucets, loose handrails, etc.)
🔹 Clear access areas (attics, crawl spaces, behind doors, electrical panels, etc.)
🔹 Test your HVAC and appliances (make sure they work)
This way, you’ll know if there are any major red flags to either fix before listing or to appropriately price your estimates.
Conclusion: Save Time and Money by Investing Upfront
A pre-listing inspection will cost pennies in comparison to price adjustments or emergency repairs and it places you in the best position for negotiation. In Guelph, where real estate inventory is low, you want every leg up possible to ensure smooth sailing.
Get Ready to List with Peace of Mind!
☎️ Call Building Insights (519 766 7286) for your pre-listing inspection we may have availability within the next 24-48 hours!
WHY BUILDING INSIGHTS?