Very few homebuyers today would dream of signing the loan papers and closing on a new house without first having it inspected for any hidden problems. Smart home sellers can take advantage of this by having a professional NAHI inspector thoroughly examine their house -- before putting it up for sale.

A professional pre-listing home inspection will disclose any major defects in the home's physical structure (such as the roof, basement, foundation, walls, and ceilings) or in its electrical, plumbing, heating or cooling systems. Should any serious problems be reported, sellers may then elect to have them repaired, replaced, or disclosed before marketing them to prospective buyers. The resulting physical and/or aesthetic improvements often greatly increase the home's sales appeal.

Another option, if the pre-listing inspection turns up major problems, is for the seller to adjust the asking price to reflect the problems. Very often, people who have lived quite comfortably for many years in their home grow accustomed to conditions which may prove unacceptable to a potential buyer. An objective third party opinion helps to put a home's true condition into a more realistic light.

In addition, the inspector's written report can be a persuasive sales tool, providing sellers with unbiased documentation of all their home's good features. Buyers may feel more confident in making an offer when they can know right away the present condition of the house, inside and out.