If there’s one easy step that could make selling your home a smooth experience, wouldn’t you want to hear about it?

A lot takes place between the moment your house goes under contract and the day you close. There are still some important steps that need to go smoothly for the deal to finalize. But here’s something many sellers might not realize.

A lot of homeowners are running into a particular snag during the selling process that's making buyers hesitate or back out. But the good news is that most of these issues can be easily avoided once you know what's behind them and what steps to take ahead of time.

That’s exactly why having a great agent and doing a bit of preparation can really change the game.

What’s Causing Some Buyers To Back Out

According to the latest data from Redfin, about 15% of pending home sales are falling through. That’s a bit higher than the usual 12% we saw between 2017 and 2019, but it’s not a huge jump. It does show there’s a slight increase in deals not closing.

These days, about 1 in every 7 deals doesn’t close. On the flip side, that means 6 out of 7 deals do go through successfully. So, most sellers never run into this issue—and chances are, you won’t either. Plus, if you know what steps to take early on, you can make it even less likely to happen.

You might think financing is the top reason buyers are walking away these days, but that's not really true. The biggest deal breaker right now is inspection and repair problems—by a large margin (check out the graph below).

Here’s why buyers are having a tough time with this right now:

• Buyers are already feeling the pinch from high prices and challenging mortgage rates, so they’re not ready or able to handle surprise repair expenses.

• If buyers are going to invest that much money, they’re looking for a home that’s ready to move into right away. They don’t want to tackle another expensive renovation on their own.

• Buyers have plenty of homes to pick from, so if yours needs work or feels like too much trouble, they’re likely to just keep looking.

Sellers working with top agents have noticed this change and are taking steps to be ready. That’s where the pre-listing inspection comes in.

 What’s a Pre-Listing Inspection?

It’s just what it sounds like—a professional home inspection you arrange before putting your house on the market. While it’s not mandatory, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) points out that it can be a smart move for some sellers at this moment.

““To keep deals from unraveling . . . it allows a seller the opportunity to address any repairs before the For Sale sign even goes up. It also can help avoid surprises like a costly plumbing problem, a failing roof or an outdated electrical panel that could cause financially stretched buyers to bolt before closing.”
”

— National Association of Realtors (NAR)

Consider it a smart move to prevent problems down the road. You'll get a clear picture of any issues that might come up during the buyer's inspection, giving you the chance to either fix them or decide what needs to be shared before listing your home.

That way, when the buyer’s inspector arrives, you’re fully prepared. No surprises, no last-minute stress, and no risk to the deal.

Is It Worth It?

Usually, a pre-listing inspection only costs a few hundred dollars, so it’s a pretty small expense. The insights you get from it, though, are incredibly valuable. Before you decide to spend that money, it’s a good idea to check in with your local agent.

In certain markets, it might not be the best choice, while in others, it could be the smartest move you make. It really comes down to what's going on in your area and what’s proving successful for other sellers nearby. If your agent suggests getting one, they’ll also:

• Help you figure out which issues are worth fixing

• Show you how to prioritize repairs based on what local buyers care about most

• Connect you with reliable pros to get the work done right

• Make sure you’re clear on local disclosure rules so there are no surprises

Taking that one small step might just save your deal—and keep your timeline on track.

Bottom Line

If there’s one easy thing you could do to help your home sale go smoothly, would you take that step?

If you prefer to handle any surprises on your own schedule instead of racing against the clock once you're under contract, let's discuss whether a pre-listing inspection could be a smart move for your home.