Thursday, October 1, 2026
In Long Island’s competitive real estate market more sellers are turning to pre-sale home inspections to avoid surprises during the closing process. Real estate agent Christine Ferramosca says the strategy gives homeowners an important advantage before a property officially hits the market.
“A pre-sale inspection empowers sellers with more information,” Ferramosca, of Douglas Elliman, said. “They can choose to fix or disclose it, but either way, there are no surprises.”
The same licensed inspectors buyers hire also conduct pre-sale inspections, which Ferramosca recommends before publicly listing a home for sale.
The process can uncover issues that may delay or derail a sale later, including electrical hazards, plumbing and moisture issues, roof concerns and asbestos.
“One client learned they had an electrical box that was outdated and would have likely been uninsurable for a buyer,” Ferramosca said. “That’s something we were able to address before it became a problem, potentially stalling the sale.”
Ferramosca said inspections could be particularly valuable for older homes or someone managing a property sale on someone else’s behalf who may not have first-hand knowledge of the home.
“They may not know all the details of the house,” she said. “This gives them peace of mind that they understand the home and have a better sense of whether there’s really an issue or if everything is fine. It can also help to guide proper pricing of the home.”
Not every seller chooses to conduct a pre-listing inspection.
“Sometimes homeowners would rather not uncover issues they weren’t aware of, especially if they’re concerned about the cost of repairs,” she said. “If something is discovered in a pre-sale inspection, they may need to disclose it, but that does not mean they are obligated to fix it.”
Some sellers hesitate because of the additional expense; Ferramosca believes the investment often prevents larger financial headaches and unanticipated time spent later.
“When buyers uncover a material issue during their inspection, it is grounds for negotiation; they’ll often request a larger credit because there’s uncertainty,” she said. “When sellers handle repairs upfront, they know exactly what the cost is.”
Ferramosca emphasized the value of working with an experienced real estate professional throughout the process. “A good agent has resources ready — inspectors, plumbers, electricians and more — to provide options to move things quickly and seek cost-effective options.”
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