Why a walkthrough of your roof, furnace, plumbing, and electrical usually tells you whether a full pre-listing inspection is worth it.

Should you have your home inspected prior to listing? It’s one of the questions sellers ask me most often, and the answer is more measured than many people expect. A full pre-inspection isn’t part of my standard process. Instead, I rely on a careful look at the parts of the house that matter most.

1. Start with a personal walkthrough. Before any home goes on the market, I like to come out and take a look at your house myself. I focus on the trouble spots: the roof, furnace, plumbing, and electrical. These are the systems I want a solid read on before a buyer ever walks through the door.

“If I see a troubled area, I might have you get it looked at prior to listing.”

2. Inspect only what raises a concern. If I see a troubled area, I may recommend having a professional look at it before we list. Otherwise, no pre-inspection is needed. That way, the attention goes where it’s actually warranted.

If you’re thinking about selling in Grand Rapids and want to know where your home stands, I’m glad to walk through it with you. Call or text me at (616) 532-7200, email me at larry@larrymartin.com, or visit freegrandrapidshomesearch.com.

The right first step is usually a conversation, not an inspection.