Should you have a Pre-listing home inspection before listing your home? Many experts say yes! Some experts say it is bad timing to have a home inspection performed after you’re under contract. It’s better to have the home inspected before it goes on the market in order to avoid surprises that might cause the deal to fall through.

The advantages of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection far outweigh the drawbacks, and Home Inspection Carolina has a Pre-Listing program that will benefit the seller, buyer, and even the listing agent! We’ll outline those in a minute, but first, let’s think about this scenario:

You put your home on the market and wait anxiously for interested buyers. After some negotiating, your home goes under contract. Yay! The buyer has the home inspected, only to discover that there is $10,000 worth of repairs needed in the crawl space. Who is going to eat that cost? Is it you, the seller, who just agreed to take $10,000 off the price of the home? Or the buyer, who is now aware they need to put $10,000 into the house, bringing them back to where they started? This process is stressful for all parties.

For the sellers, it puts your cards out on the table- so to speak- for everyone to see. Any items that need repairs are listed and disclosed early on. This allows you to price your home based on the market and the repairs needed.

For the buyers, they see the ins and outs of the home from the start. They feel informed about the status of the home and more confident in their investment.

Let’s use the scenario above to discuss some of the benefits of having a Pre-Listing Home Inspection. If you, the seller, had had a Pre-Listing Home Inspection from Home Inspection Carolina, you would have been aware of the $10,000 worth of underlying issues before putting your home on the market. This would allow you to determine which option is best for your family:

You could make the repairs immediately and adjust your listing price based on the cost of those repairs.
You could list the home and disclose the repairs that are needed to explain the reduced listing price for a smoother transition with the buyer. Or you could take your time, research contractors, and get the best deal for making the repairs before listing your home, all without the pressure of a timeline.

When enrolling in our Pre-listing program through InspectedHouses.com, exclusive to Home Inspection Carolina, listing agents receive leads generated by the program. The leads allow the agent to contact a potential buyer to see if they have representation and if they are interested in knowing more about your home. This helps increase their exposure and get more buyers for you!

Our Pre-Listing Home Inspection program allows prospective buyers to view the report from a QR code posted on a sign in your front yard. Information about the home is not released without the seller’s permission. The seller has complete control of the report and when they want to release it, if at all.

The buyer must purchase the report at a minimum cost to gain access. All the money goes back to the seller to compensate them for purchasing the Pre-Listing Inspection. The leads generated from their home inspection report go directly to the agent.

This program allows the buyer to get a better understanding of the home. Now that the buyer is aware of any repairs, they are more likely to place an offer. Those buyers may also be looking at other homes that have not had a Pre-listing Inspection. There’s no way for them to know the true condition of those homes unless they purchase a buyers Home Inspection. Having your home pre-inspected will give you an advantage against other homes in the market. The Pre-Listing program allows for an open and honest, less stressful transaction for both parties.

Having a Pre-Listing Inspection creates happier clients and smoother transactions, with fewer negotiations, and dramatically reduces the chance of the deal falling through.

For more information about the Pre-Listing Inspection service, please visit InspectedHouses.com. If you would like to schedule your Pre-Listing Home Inspection you can start by Clicking Here.

🏠 First-Time Home Buyer? Here’s What to Expect from Your Home Inspection

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but your home inspection doesn’t have to be. At Home Inspection Carolina, we specialize in helping first-time home buyers across Charlotte, Raleigh, and surrounding areas navigate the inspection process with confidence and clarity.

🛠️ Getting Ready for the Inspection

You’ve applied for a mortgage, submitted your paperwork, and finally found your dream home. Now comes one of the most important steps: the home inspection.

For first-time buyers, not knowing what to expect can make this step feel intimidating, but it’s actually designed to protect you.

🔍 What Is a Home Inspector’s Role?

Your home inspector is like a general practitioner for your house. Just like your doctor performs a checkup and refers you to a specialist if needed, your home inspector evaluates the entire home and refers you to licensed professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, or general contractors) when further evaluation is necessary.

This protects you from surprises and helps you make an informed, confident decision.

🧠 Why Not Hire a Specialist Instead?

You could hire a separate expert for every system in the home, but that would take time, coordination, and significantly more money. A certified home inspector is trained across all major systems in the home, providing a comprehensive evaluation in one efficient visit.

🤝 What to Expect From Your Home Inspector

Your inspector is your advocate. Here’s what you can expect:

• A full visual inspection of major systems and components

• A focus on safety hazards, structural issues, and defects that could affect your investment

• The opportunity to ask questions and better understand the condition of your home

• A detailed report delivered within 24 hours

10 Questions to ask your Home Inspector for a First Time Home Buyer.

1. Where is the main water shut off?
   (This is important to know in case of an emergency, or if you want to turn off the water when going on vacation.)
2. Where are the GFCI outlets located, what do they do, and how to reset them?
3. Does the home have AFCIs? If so, where are they located and how do I reset them if they are trip.
   (The GFCI and AFCIs are electrical breakers that protect you. GFCIs are required in areas where water is located. AFCIs are typically located within the electrical panel. They trip if there is an arc within your electrical system.)
4. How many thermostats does this home have, and where are they located?
   (You may have a home with multiple thermostats that control one unit or two. This is good to know what they control so you can efficiently heat and cool your home.)
5. Where are the return air registers and air filters?
6. What size are the air filters, and how often should I change them?
   (The air filter is the most important and inexpensive way to maintain your HVAC system. If the air filter becomes clogged, it causes the unit to work harder to pull air across the air filter, causing strain or stress on the unit, ultimately reducing the lifespan of the unit.)
7. Is the home equipped with Carbon Monoxide detectors, if so, where are they located?
   (If the home is equipped with gas appliances, you want to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed for safety. If not, make sure that you install them after moving in.)
8. If there is a fireplace with gas logs installed?
   (Ask your inspector how they work, start them, and if there are any safety concerns that you need to be aware of.)
9. What is the age of the HVAC UNITS? (Heating and Air Systems)
   (Home inspectors may not be required to identify the age of the units within the report, at the inspection is a great time to ask them. Knowing the age of the units can give you a good estimate of how much life you can expect to get out of them with proper maintenance. The typical life span of a unit can range from 10 – 15 years.)
10.  Don’t hesitate to call your inspector after you receive the report. If you don’t understand something, the home inspector is there to help you through the process.

At Home Inspection Carolina – Our Mission: To ensure that all our clients receive exceptional service and satisfaction. Creating client relationships and protecting your investment is our #1 Priority!

Choosing a home inspector is one of the most important parts of purchasing a home. You want the home inspector to work for you and protect your investment. Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make, and a hidden surprise can be costly after purchasing your new home.

So, How do you choose a home inspector?

One of the 1^st things to do is research your home inspector, check their online reviews. If an inspector does a lot of business, Google will have a rating on them and their business. You can review what experiences other people have had and how they respond to client’s concerns. But don’t stop there. Visit the inspector’s website and check their credentials. See if the inspector has additional education and certifications. What certifications do they have that might help educate you with the buying process, Radon Testing Certification, Mold Certification, Infrared Certifications, etc.

Call the home inspector and ask questions. Get a vibe for their personality and make sure it clicks with yours. See how they respond to your questions. Do they explain things in a way you can easily understand, and are they taking the time to make sure you do understand? Choosing a home inspector, you feel comfortable speaking with, and trust is an invaluable part of the process.  Remember, a home inspector’s only job is to protect you!

If you are a 1^st time home buyer, make sure they are willing to take the time to explain the home and how it works. For questions to ask a home inspector for a first-time buyer, please check out our blog on First Time home buyers The Ten questions to ask a home inspector.

Finally, once you have selected your home inspector, contact your realtor.  Ask them if they are familiar with the home inspector you have chosen. Have they ever worked with them during a transaction and if they are aware of their reputation.

Choosing the right home inspector for you is an essential part of the process. Make sure you do your research and remember, a home inspector’s only job is to protect you!

Please enjoy our video on the “Do’s and Don’ts when hiring a home inspector”.

If you have any questions or we might be able to help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact us a customersupport@hicarolina.com or call us at 704-542-6575.

Home Inspection Carolina, services – Charlotte NC – Raleigh NC – Asheville NC

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