Pre-Sale Building & Pest Inspections

When representing buyers purchasing real estate, we almost always recommend making the purchase subject to a building and pest inspection. In most cases, the inspection doesn’t uncover anything serious and the sale proceeds exactly as everyone hoped it would.

Occasionally, however, an inspector finds something concerning. When this happens, buyers may either withdraw from the purchase or attempt to renegotiate the agreed price.

Over the years, we have helped buyers negotiate thousands of dollars off purchase prices based on issues identified in building and pest reports. We have also helped buyers walk away from purchases entirely, protecting them from costly problems they would otherwise have discovered only after settlement.

The risk for sellers

From a seller’s perspective, this is the last position you want to be in. The buyer has information you don’t have and can use it to cancel the contract or demand a price reduction. By this stage, you may have already said no to other interested buyers, leaving you exposed and with limited options.

A smarter alternative

The alternative is simple: arrange a building and pest inspection before selling your property.

Doing so puts you in the strongest possible position when taking your home to market. If the report identifies any issues, you can:

• Fix them prior to sale, or
• Price the property accordingly

Either option significantly reduces the risk of losing money or having a sale fall through.

Having a building and pest inspection completed before listing your property is much like taking out insurance. You may never need it, but if you do, it can save you considerable stress, time, and expense.

A real example

Some years ago, we were engaged to sell a three-bedroom home. As part of our usual process, we arranged a building and pest inspection prior to listing. To our surprise, the inspector discovered termites in the centre of the home. They had travelled along a water pipe and caused damage to the architrave around a hallway door.

While this was frustrating, it was ultimately a positive outcome. Identifying the issue early allowed us to have the termites treated, implement an ongoing prevention plan, and engage a carpenter to replace the damaged timber. The property was fully restored and ready to be confidently presented to the market.

Had this inspection not been completed upfront, the property may have sold subject to a building and pest inspection, only for the buyers to discover the termites and withdraw from the purchase. At that point, the sellers would have been forced to either disclose the issue and reduce their asking price or take the property off the market to carry out repairs — interrupting the campaign’s momentum and potentially impacting the final sale result.

Common issues

It is normal for a building and pest inspector to identify minor issues, even in well-maintained homes. This is not a negative. In fact, it reassures buyers that the inspection was thorough and that the seller is aware of the typical wear and tear that comes with owning a home.

Some issues are worth addressing before taking your property to market, as they can significantly improve buyer confidence.

High moisture readings in bathrooms and ensuites are one of the most common items noted in building and pest reports. While often straightforward to fix, they can concern buyers if left unresolved. Identifying and addressing this type of issue prior to sale places you in a far stronger position — informed, prepared, and confident in the property you are selling.

By dealing with these common issues before selling, you reduce buyer uncertainty, protect your sale price, and present your home in the best possible light.