A pre-inspection by a professional home inspector will help you see your home in a more objective light and may reveal hidden issues that may be lurking. A pre-inspected home usually indicates to a buyer agent that major issues have been addressed and this alone can make your home more appealing for buyers. If you are “not-so-handy” and have little knowledge of home construction then a pre-inspection may expose problems that you were unaware existed and which might be “deal breakers” when discovered on a buyer’s home inspection. If you originally purchased your home without an inspection then I would say a pre-inspection is a must-do.
If you do have a pre-inspection then it is important that you fix any major issues discovered, have them repaired by a professional, and keep the receipts and warranties. Most agents have good contacts with people in the construction industry who will be able to help you with getting the repairs done quickly and professionally. Concerns that come up on inspection can be very scary for a first time homebuyer or the “Not-so-Handy” however, a problem solved can be seen as an upgrade and indicate a home well maintained. Leave your home inspection report available for buyers to see, highlight the repairs you have had done and present the receipts and warranties.
