How a Pre-Listing Inspection Could Save You Thousands of Dollars

By Dave Zajdzinski

Dave Zajdzinski and the team bring 40 + years of real estate experience to home buyers and sellers throughout Arizona.

Are you planning to sell your home? Here’s a secret I’ve learned that can save you tens of thousands of dollars: do a home inspection before you list. It helps you avoid last-minute deal breakers and gut punches in escrow. Let me explain with a real example with one of our clients.

Saving thousands early. We recently listed a well-maintained, single-level luxury home on an acre that the owner had lived in for 20 years. Even though everything looked fine, I recommended a pre-listing inspection, which we covered. The inspector found signs that the roof was nearing the end of its life, so we got quotes from two trusted roofers—$19,000 and $20,000.

The home sold quickly, but the buyer’s inspector flagged the roof and returned with a $52,000 quote. Since we had already done our research, we shared our quotes, arranged financing options, and negotiated a $12,000 credit instead. Taking action early saved the seller thousands and gave us control throughout the process.

Why home inspection matters. I always recommend a home inspection before listing for three key reasons:

1. Prevents expensive surprises. The last thing you want is to find out your plumbing, roof, or foundation needs major repairs while you’re in escrow. At that point, you’ve probably made moving plans and are in a weaker position to negotiate. Doing the inspection upfront lets you address issues early and reduces the chance of unexpected setbacks.

2. Strengthens your negotiation power. A pre-inspected home signals that you’re a responsible seller. When you pair it with a warranty and a clean report, it looks like a certified pre-owned home. Buyers feel confident, and you maintain control in the negotiation.

3. Allocates your budget wisely. Knowing what needs attention helps you spend where it matters. We offer a program that can provide up to $10,000 in repair funding for qualifying homes, with no interest and repayment at closing. Instead of blindly upgrading a kitchen or bathroom, the inspection helps you direct funds toward what will affect the sale and appraisal.

Real stories, real results. In some cases, an inspection reveals issues so significant that the seller decides not to list at all. This helps avoid entering the market only to lose equity to major repairs. In another recent case, a seller invested $18,000 into the home after we conducted an inspection. We knew exactly what to address and how to prepare the property for a smooth sale.

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t wait until you’re under contract to find out what’s wrong. As part of my listing package, I offer a free home inspection to clients who choose to list with me. You can call me at 480-933-1235 or send an email to dave@zteamaz.com. I look forward to hearing from you.