Making Sure Your Charlotte Home Sale Goes Smoothly

If there were one simple step that could help your home sale go more smoothly—and potentially save your deal—wouldn’t you want to know what it is?

At The Zahn Group, we’ve guided hundreds of sellers through the process, and we can tell you: most deals fall apart for the same reason—and it’s totally preventable.

There’s a lot that happens between going under contract and sitting at the closing table. And while most sellers do make it through without issue, there’s one increasingly common snag that’s causing some buyers to walk away.

But here’s the good news: when you know what to expect—and how to prepare—you can avoid it entirely. That’s where a little prep (and a great real estate team) makes all the difference.

Why Some Buyers Are Backing Out—and How to Avoid It

According to Redfin, 15% of pending home sales are falling through right now. That’s slightly higher than the pre-2020 norm (12%), but still—roughly 1 in 7 sales aren’t making it to closing.

The leading cause?
Inspection and repair issues.

Most sellers assume buyers are walking away due to financing. But the data tells a different story:
📉 It's not the mortgage—
🛠️ It's what shows up in the inspection report.

Why it matters more now than ever:

• Buyers are financially stretched from high prices and rising rates.
  
  

• They’re not eager to take on big-ticket repairs post-purchase.
  
  

• And with more inventory available, they’re willing to walk if a home feels like a hassle.
  
  

Buyers want clean, move-in-ready homes—and they’re not afraid to move on if yours doesn’t meet the mark.

The Solution? A Pre-Listing Inspection

This is one of the smartest tools we’re recommending to many of our Charlotte sellers right now.

A pre-listing inspection is exactly what it sounds like: You hire a licensed home inspector before you go on the market—so you know exactly what issues might come up when a buyer brings in their own.

It gives you the opportunity to:

• Make repairs before buyers ever see your home
  
  

• Price and disclose strategically
  
  

• Avoid last-minute surprises that could delay or derail your deal
  
  

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“To keep deals from unraveling . . . it allows a seller the opportunity to address any repairs before the For Sale sign even goes up.”

Think of it as your proactive play. No panic. No rushed negotiations. Just a smoother path from offer to closing.

Is It Worth the Cost?

In most cases, yes.  A pre-listing inspection usually costs just a few hundred dollars—and what it gives you is peace of mind and negotiating power.  But like everything in real estate, it depends on your local market and your specific home.

That’s where we come in.
At The Zahn Group, we’ll walk you through whether it’s the right move for your sale and, if so:

• Help prioritize which issues to fix (and which to disclose)
  
  

• Connect you with trusted Charlotte vendors to get the work done
  
  

• Guide you through local disclosure requirements
  
  

• Position your home to show well, appraise well, and close with confidence
  
  

Bottom Line

If there’s one simple step that can reduce stress, improve your negotiating position, and help your Charlotte home sale go off without a hitch—why not do it?

Let’s talk about whether a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your home. We’ll help you hit the market with clarity, confidence, and control—because that’s what a great sale should feel like.

📞 Reach out today, and let’s make a plan that works for you.