It depends Anna Abbatemarco I only would recommend doing a pre-home inspection if I can see that is needed in order to support a listing price.

I have done it and glad to discover any issues ahead of time. That way your seller can fix it with a contractor of their choice and the buyer only sees the pretty finished product. 

Anna Abbatemarco - indeed it is very important - and I do request the seller to do it.

Although it's their choice...

Yes, since 1999. I'd estimate 85% of the home owners I suggest it to, do. I recommend it to all. Trust sales, estate sales and distressed properties are the ones that tend to "do not". I don't insist, but I do pitch it with a bold assertion.
Know what the buyer will find out and disclose it; your most serious offers and committed buyers are in the know. Finding out in escrow is a time bomb.

Depends on the property - sometimes yes, mostly no

If there is an indication of issues, this is a good idea.

If the seller is totally unreasonable about seeing the obvious yes I will. But mostly we wait until a contract comes in because the buyer wants his own inspector to render an opinion.

Anna,

We did prior to selling our home in Los Angeles, and when we managed a brokerage in Napa, the top producer did that.  A

Why? PEACE OF MIND- THE TRUTH IS SO LIBERATING.  A

I have a six page list of things they should do prior to an inspection.  If you would like a copy email me at richard@investablerealty.com

Only in some circumstances when it would appear a home really needs one.

In very old homes it prevents problems when incompetent inspectors try to ruin a contract or where some inspectors don't understand 100 year old construction.

Anna, I try to get my sellers to do a home inspection and appraisal prior to list. Most will do the appraisal, but few do the home inspection. I am also a VA state contractor. So, I can do a pretty good job of going through the hosue and pointing out what's needed to get the house through a home inspection. 

I'm with Anthony Acosta on it. Sometimes you have to bring a 3rd party to get the house in shape for a better price. 

I have not asked many to get a pre inspection.  We had a buyer in contract, they backed out.  They either thought there was an issue or they were trying to back off their offer amount.  They walked.  

Seller didn't make time for foundation consult. I don't think the seller wanted to hear negative news.  I did contact a foundation company myself. By the way, the foundation inspection was good and the home sold.

I have not had much success in convincing sellers....just buyers.

Seldom as the buyer will usually think

 it may be rigged

Yes I do, but none ever have.

Relo companies rountinely require pre-inspection be done prior to listing.  Most sellers do not have pre-inspection

I just did one with a seller. It was very helpful and they took care of issues that needed to be addressed. Some sellers are not enthusiastic about doing them or decline

I did it once in an older house that had some floors that were totally catawampus.  We learned what the problem was - a previously-treated termite issue - and the house wasn't falling down anytime soon.  They disclosed it, and they did wind up fixing it for the new buyers.

I have not, we generally have a good idea of the defects already.

No.  In this market they don't even have to look at repair requests!

no I don't.

I use to have sellers do them but with a seller market, buyer are not asking for much because they want the home.

No.

It depends on the seller really.

It is beneficial in relevant circumstances.

I know that some agents, including myself, recommend it in various circumstances.

Not really - unless the property is visibly in need of some level of maintenance

If I suspect a number of issues are present I recommend it. Also recommend they make the inspection and receipts for repairs available to potential buyers!

when I was actively listing property, I did not....it's not a generally practiced task in our area.... no one does it...and I agree with that mentality....let the buyer do his/her own inspection...we're seller's agents and the more "skin" the buyer has in the game, the more likely they'll continue to play that game. 

It really depends on the condition of the home.  I will try to get them to do one when I'm pretty certain there will be issues and the sellers refuse to acknowledge it.  For homes in generally good condition, I don't think it's a necessity.

I suggest and in recent years, many of my listings have had pre-sale home inspections.  It's the sellers' decision.  

No, I'm not a fan because honestly even if the house is perfect that buyers home inspector is going to find something to complain about. It's like double money spent. Good for inspectors but is it a bennie for the sellers? I say no.

Not unless there is overwhelming evidence of deferred maintenance that the seller refuses to acknowledge

We've encouraged pre-inspections in homes that are either vacant (like estate sales) or where the owner hasn't been making updates or doing maintenance for a while. Some sellers are resistant, but those that do have the pre-inspection are better able to make informed decisions about pricing and negotiations later. In some cases, the owners or heirs have opted to do the repairs before listing.

The report can be suspect if the seller does it. Best to let the buyer have at it

With all my new listings I walk through with my sellers pointing out what should be done before showings start. A formal inspection could lead to greater repairs and disclosures and that depends on whether the seller has the ability to fix or have fixed or be ready to deduct for them. 

Yes.  It varies. 

I like the answer by Lise Howe. 

It so depends upon the relationship you have with your seller. If they have an older home which has never had an inspection, encouraging them to be proactive and get the inspection and make the repairs can be encouraging to buyers who may be interested in the property.

Fix the easier obvious stuff before buyers want to have them repaired.

I usually don't suggest them.

 I have had a small amount of sellers get a home inspection and what I find amazing is how many buyers don't get their own inspection  after seeing the sellers inspection and repairs done..

I like go have a preinspection so the seller can fix things on their schedule with their service men. This also allows them to disclose problems they are not going go fix.

Yes!  Far fewer deals fall through with pre-inspections.  Do the inspections, make the repairs and then let the buyers' inspectors have at-it!