Ensuring Your Home Sale Reaches the Finish Line

If there were one simple step to make your home sale smooth from start to finish, wouldn’t you want to know it?

From the moment your home goes under contract to the day you close, plenty has to fall into place — and even small hiccups can derail the deal.

Here’s what many sellers don’t realize: there’s one stage in the process where some homeowners are running into trouble, leading buyers to back out. The good news? Most of these issues are totally preventable — as long as you know what to look for and take action early.

That’s where having an experienced agent (and a little prep work) makes all the difference.

Why Some Buyers Are Backing Out

According to the latest data from Redfin, about 15% of pending home sales are falling through. That’s a bit higher than the 12% average we saw from 2017 to 2019 — a noticeable uptick, but not a dramatic one.

In other words, roughly 1 in 7 deals don’t make it to closing. The good news? That means 6 out of 7 do. Most sellers never experience a fallout — and with the right preparation, your odds are even better.

Many assume financing is the main reason deals collapse, but that’s not actually the top culprit. The biggest deal-breaker in today’s market? Inspection and repair issues — by a wide margin (see graph below).

Why This Has Become a Deal Breaker for Buyers:

• Today’s buyers are feeling the squeeze — between high home prices and elevated mortgage rates, there’s little room left in their budgets for surprise repairs.
• If they’re investing that much money, they expect a move-in ready home, not another expensive project waiting for them after closing.
• And with more inventory on the market, buyers have options. If one home looks like too much work — or the seller isn’t open to addressing repairs — they’ll simply move on to the next.

That’s why savvy sellers, guided by great agents, are getting ahead of the issue. The secret weapon? A pre-listing inspection.

What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection?

Just like it sounds, a pre-listing inspection is a professional home inspection you schedule before putting your home on the market. It’s not mandatory, but according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it can be a smart move for many sellers right now.

“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.”

Think of it as a way to avoid future headaches. You’ll know what issues could pop up during the buyer’s inspection – and you’ll have time to fix them or decide what to disclose before you put your house on the market.

This way, when the buyer’s inspector walks in, you’re ready. No surprises. No last-minute panic. No deal on the line.

Is It Worth It?

Generally speaking, a pre-listing inspection costs just a few hundred dollars. So, it’s not a big expense. And the information it gives you is invaluable. But before you make that investment, talk to your local agent.

In some markets, it may not be worth it. And in others, it may be the best move you can make. It all depends on what’s happening where you are and what’s working for other local sellers. If your agent recommends getting one, they’ll also:

• Help you decide which issues to fix
• Prioritize repairs based on what buyers in your area are focusing on
• Connect you with trusted professionals to get the work done
• Ensure you understand local disclosure laws

That small step could save your deal (and your timeline).

Bottom Line

So, if there was one simple step that could help make your home sale go according to plan, would you do it?

If you’d rather deal with surprises on your terms (not with the clock ticking under contract), talk to an agent about whether a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your house.

It may be worth it so you can hit the market confident, prepared, and in control.Here are thoughtful questions and clear answers to help sellers ensure their home sale goes smoothly, focusing on the crucial stage where most deals falter and how a pre-listing inspection can make a difference. ### Why do some home sales fall through? About 15% of pending home sales recently fell through, which is higher than the previous average of 12% from 2017–2019. The leading cause isn’t financing, but inspection and repair problems. When buyers discover unexpected repairs, they may back out rather than take on additional costs, since budgets are tight due to high prices and mortgage rates. ### What is the top deal-breaker for buyers today? The biggest deal-breaker is inspection and repair issues. Buyers prefer homes that are move-in ready, and when costly repairs are uncovered during inspection, many choose to pursue another property—especially when more options are available in the current market. ### How can sellers avoid last-minute surprises? Scheduling a pre-listing inspection before putting your home on the market is the most effective way to find and address potential problems early. This allows you to fix issues ahead of time, so no big surprises come up during the buyer’s inspection. As a result, your sale is less likely to fall apart at the eleventh hour. ### What is a pre-listing inspection, and why is it important? A pre-listing inspection is a professional assessment of your home conducted before you list it for sale. It uncovers repairs or maintenance that might worry buyers or cause them to back out. Sellers can then choose to fix key issues or disclose them upfront—building trust with buyers and reducing the risk of the deal collapsing. ### Is getting a pre-listing inspection worth the cost? A pre-listing inspection typically costs a few hundred dollars—far less than the financial hit of a failed sale. However, its value depends on your local market and what buyers expect. Consult your real estate agent to decide if it’s the right strategy for your situation. Agents can also help prioritize which repairs to make and connect you with reliable professionals. ### How does a pre-listing inspection help the sale process? By identifying issues early, sellers can fix what matters most to buyers, disclose known problems, and avoid delays or renegotiations. It gives peace of mind and more control over the timeline, ensuring you hit the market prepared and confident. ### What should I do next to ensure my sale closes smoothly? Talk to a local real estate agent about whether a pre-listing inspection is right for your home. Their experience and network can help you make informed decisions—preventing surprises and maximizing your chances of a successful, on-time sale. *** These questions and answers highlight the importance of early preparation, especially regarding inspection and repairs, as the key step to ensuring your home sale reaches the finish line smoothly.{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why do some home sales fall through?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "About 15% of pending home sales recently fell through, up from an average of 12% in 2017–2019. The primary reason isn’t financing—it’s inspection and repair problems. When unexpected issues surface, budget-conscious buyers (pressed by high prices and mortgage rates) may walk away rather than take on additional costs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the top deal-breaker for buyers today?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Inspection and repair issues. Buyers want move-in-ready homes, and costly repairs uncovered during inspection often push them to pursue another property—especially now that they have more options in the market." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can sellers avoid last-minute surprises?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Schedule a pre-listing inspection before going on the market. It helps you find and address issues early so they don’t become deal-breaking surprises during the buyer’s inspection, reducing the risk of a last-minute fallout." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is a pre-listing inspection, and why is it important?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A pre-listing inspection is a professional assessment done before listing. It identifies repairs or maintenance that could worry buyers or derail a deal. Sellers can fix key items or disclose them upfront—building trust and lowering the chance of the sale collapsing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is getting a pre-listing inspection worth the cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Typically costing a few hundred dollars, a pre-listing inspection is often far cheaper than the financial and time costs of a failed sale. Its value varies by local market and buyer expectations, so consult your agent to decide, prioritize repairs, and connect with reliable pros." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does a pre-listing inspection help the sale process?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "By surfacing issues early, sellers can fix what matters most, disclose known problems, and avoid delays or renegotiations. The result is greater buyer confidence, fewer surprises, and a smoother, more predictable path to closing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I do next to ensure my sale closes smoothly?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Talk to a local real estate agent about whether a pre-listing inspection fits your home and market. Their experience and network help you make informed decisions, prevent surprises, and maximize your chances of an on-time, successful closing." } } ] }