What Inspections Are Needed Before Selling a Home in Pasadena?
What inspections are needed before selling a home in Pasadena?
Answer:
In Pasadena, there are no mandatory pre-sale inspections statewide, but sellers typically benefit from doing a general home inspection, termite inspection, and sewer lateral inspection. May Kunka helps you decide which inspections make sense based on your home’s condition and buyer expectations.
Are Pre-Sale Inspections Required in Pasadena?
California does not require home inspections before selling—but that doesn’t mean you should skip them. In Pasadena, savvy sellers often order inspections before listing to uncover potential red flags and avoid surprises during escrow. While buyers usually perform their own inspections, proactive sellers gain more control over pricing and negotiation.
Most Common Pre-Sale Inspections in Pasadena
General Home Inspection: A full review of the home’s structure and systems
Termite (Pest) Inspection: Identifies wood-destroying organisms
Sewer Line Inspection: Especially important in older Pasadena neighborhoods
Roof Certification: Recommended if the roof is 10+ years old
Chimney or Fireplace Inspection: Common for vintage homes in areas like Bungalow Heaven
Why Sellers Choose Pre-Listing Inspections
Benefits include:
Identifying problems early to fix or disclose
Supporting a confident listing price
Minimizing price renegotiations after buyer inspections
Encouraging buyers to waive further inspection contingencies
May Kunka often recommends strategic inspections based on your specific property and buyer expectations.
How Much Do These Inspections Cost?
Home inspection: $350–$550
Termite inspection: $75–$150 (often waived if bundled with pest treatment)
Sewer camera inspection: $200–$300
Roof inspection: $200–$300
Expect to invest $500 to $1,000+ total—well worth it to maintain momentum during the sale.
Pasadena Buyer Expectations in 2025
Buyers in neighborhoods like San Rafael Hills or Linda Vista often come with higher standards. They expect homes to be well maintained, or they want assurance through inspections. Sellers who provide up-front reports often enjoy faster offers and cleaner negotiations.
Disclosing Inspection Results
California requires sellers to disclose known issues through the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) and Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ).
If an inspection reveals something problematic, you don’t necessarily have to fix it—but you must disclose it.
May Kunka can help guide what to report, what to address, and how to frame findings to protect your sale.
What If the Buyer Wants Their Own Inspections?
Most buyers will still conduct their own, but if you’ve already done a general inspection or sewer scope, it sets expectations and often builds trust. Some sellers even share full inspection packets up front to reduce contingencies.
Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Inspections aren’t required—but skipping them can cost you later. Taking initiative helps you price accurately, avoid repair surprises, and build confidence with buyers. It also streamlines your path to closing.
Need Help Choosing the Right Inspections?
May Kunka works with trusted Pasadena inspectors and knows which ones matter most in today’s market.
📞 Schedule a listing prep consultation and get clarity on what inspections your home really needs.