Part 5: “We Don’t Need a Building & Pest Report Before We List”

You’d think it would be standard practice.
Before putting your home on the market, your agent organises professional photos, great marketing… and a building & pest report so buyers know exactly what they’re looking at.

But surprisingly often, agents skip this step altogether. Why?
Because they’re moving too fast – with their mind already on the commission at the end, not the process it takes to get there.

🚩 Why They Skip It

💬 They’re in a rush to list

Many agents are eager to “get it online” before all the preparation is done. They might have already used one of the tactics we’ve covered in earlier posts –

and now the property’s live before the maintenance is complete, let alone the building & pest.

💬 They don’t want to wait

A proper building & pest inspection takes time to arrange, and they’re not willing to hold off. That means launching without one, even if it hurts buyer confidence.

💡 What Buyers Think When There’s No Report

These days, many buyers expect a building & pest to be available upfront. When it’s missing, they wonder:

  • Is there something wrong the agent doesn’t want me to know?

  • Why does another property have it, but not this one?

Even if they’d still get their own inspection later, having a report available now shows transparency. Without it, buyers feel in the dark – and suspicion kills excitement.

💰 Why It’s Worth It

A pre-sale building & pest inspection costs $500–$1,000. That’s a small investment compared to the value it adds:

  • It allows you to fix minor issues before buyers see them

  • It gives buyers confidence to make strong offers

  • It prevents nasty surprises during negotiations or after the contract is signed

In our experience, buyers tend to pay more for a home when they can see everything upfront – warts and all.

🏆 Forewarned is Forearmed

We believe in declaring everything to buyers. The goal isn’t to hide flaws – it’s to help buyers feel informed, safe, and excited. When buyers trust the information they’re given, they’re far more willing to compete for your home.

So next time an agent says, “We don’t need a building & pest before listing”, ask yourself: are they thinking about your best result… or just trying to speed to the finish line?

Want a selling strategy built on transparency, not shortcuts?

Call Kath Chown on 0458 912 906 – I’ll make sure your buyers know exactly what they’re looking at, so you get the best possible price without nasty surprises.

Stay tuned for Part 6 of “Why Did That Agent Say That?”, where we’ll unpack another industry habit that can cost you more than you think.