I have a seller who is enthusiastically preparing her house to list.  She had a pre-inspection done yesterday and there was a minor list of items that needed repaired or worked on.  For example, new caulking was required on one outside window and one pipe needed to be insulated.

Her husband won’t let her list the house until everything is done, which is normally a great attitude.  However my concern is that by delaying they may miss out on buyers who are looking to get the nice juicy federal tax credit.  It’s a magnificent house and none of the repairs should hinder any buyer.

In any case, I am of the school that it’s good to get a listing pre-inspected in order to have all repairs made and to eliminate any surprises from when the house sells.  Another agent in my office were discussing this and he has the opposite view … he believes that if you have it inspected and find something wrong, then the seller is liable for disclosing it in the future. My thought is that if something that major is wrong, they’ll have to repair it anyway.  If they don’t and the seller walks away, they’ll still have to disclose it.  I’d much rather find a problem and address it in advance.

What do you think?  Would you be more inclined to buy if a house had already been inspected?  If you were selling, would you want it pre-inspected?