Pre-Listing Inspections: How to Sell Your Calabasas Home Faster and for More Money

The most stressful part of selling a home isn’t the open house. It isn’t even the price negotiation. It is the Inspection Contingency Period.

You have accepted an offer, the excitement is high, and then the buyer’s inspector arrives. Three days later, you receive a 60-page report listing every defect in the home, accompanied by a demand for a $20,000 credit or a threat to walk away.

This is the “deal killer” moment.

But what if you could skip this stress entirely? At CIS Home Inspections, we are seeing a smart trend among savvy sellers in Calabasas and Hidden Hills: The Pre-Listing Inspection.

What is a Pre-Listing Inspection?

It is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of waiting for the buyer to inspect your home, you hire us to inspect it before you even put the “For Sale” sign in the yard. It gives you a complete picture of your home’s condition from the perspective of a neutral third party.

Here is why this strategy is putting more money in sellers’ pockets:

1. You Control the Repairs (and the Cost)

When a buyer finds a defect—let’s say, a broken pool pump or a leak under the sink—they panic. They assume the worst-case scenario and will demand a credit based on the most expensive contractor quote they can find.

If you find that issue first, you have options:

• Fix it yourself: If you are handy, you can repair minor items for the cost of parts.
• Shop around: You have time to get three quotes and find a reasonably priced handyman, rather than paying “rush prices” during escrow.
• Disclose it: You can simply list the home “as-is” regarding that specific item, so the buyer cannot use it as a bargaining chip later.

2. Price with Confidence

It is heartbreaking to list a home for $2.5 million, only to have to drop the price to $2.4 million because the roof needs unexpected work. A pre-listing inspection allows you to factor condition into your asking price from day one.

If your roof is perfect, you can highlight that value. If it needs work, you can price accordingly and stand firm during negotiations.

3. Build Instant Trust with Buyers

Imagine a buyer walking into your open house and seeing a binder on the kitchen counter containing a recent Inspection Report and receipts for all the repairs you have already done.

This sends a powerful message: “This is a transparent, honest seller. This home has no secrets.”

This transparency often encourages buyers to write cleaner offers, sometimes even waiving their own inspection contingency because they feel confident in the home’s condition.

4. Speed Up the Close

Time kills deals. The longer the inspection negotiation drags on, the more likely the buyer is to get cold feet. By eliminating the big surprises upfront, you smooth out the road to closing, ensuring you get your proceeds faster.

Make Your Move Easier

Don’t wait for a stranger to tell you what’s wrong with your house. Take control of the sale.

If you are planning to list your home in the San Fernando Valley this season, call us first. A Pre-Listing Inspection is a small investment that protects your equity.

---