You may have seen headlines on social media saying the number of buyers backing out of their contracts is on the rise—reaching a high not seen since 2017. While that can sound intimidating, real estate trends vary significantly by market. In the Wellesley and Greater Boston area, local nuances matter most.
If you want to sell, there is one common cause for these cancellations, and it’s something you can actually control. Here’s how to get ahead of the biggest dealbreaker before it ever becomes a problem.
The Top Dealbreaker: Issues That Pop Up During the Inspection
A Redfin survey shows that over 70% of recently cancelled contracts happened because of issues during the home inspection. While national trends are high, buyers in the Wellesley MA real estate market are currently using their increased leverage to be much more selective during the inspection period.
Today’s buyers have something they didn’t have a couple of years ago: options.
Why Fixing Things Before You List Matters More Today
A few years back, when inventory was extremely limited, buyers were more willing to overlook minor issues. In today’s market, skipping essential repairs is one of the fastest ways to lose a deal. With more homes to choose from, if a house feels risky or like it’s hiding expensive surprises, buyers are far more likely to walk away.
So, what do you have to fix? Just ask an agent.
How Your Agent Can Help Give You the Edge
A local agent can walk through your house and offer advice on what to tackle based on your specific home, the local market, and what buyers are prioritizing in your area. According to Zillow, these are the top issues buyers care about today:
- Roof leaks or damage: Sagging, leaking, or aged shingles.
- Plumbing problems: Standing water, leaks, or old water damage.
- Electrical concerns: Outdated wiring or missing GFCI outlets.
- HVAC issues: Non-functioning or end-of-life units.
- Pest or insect damage: Active termite colonies or structural wood rot.
- Hazardous materials: Presence of lead, mold, asbestos, etc.
- Safety/code violations: Missing smoke detectors or egress issues.
- Structural problems: Cracks in the foundation or sagging floors.
The Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection
To buyers, these aren’t just cosmetic issues; they are trust issues. Once a buyer starts wondering "what else might be wrong," it’s hard to recover that momentum. A pre-listing inspection allows you to:
- Fix concerns before you list or disclose them upfront.
- Avoid high-pressure negotiations during the closing process.
- Stop scrambling for contractors at the last minute.
You don't have to fix everything—you just have to be strategic. A local expert can help you decide if a pre-listing inspection is worth it, recommend trusted inspectors, and identify which repairs will provide the highest return on investment.
Bottom Line
Inspection issues are the #1 dealbreaker for buyers today, but they are within your control. If you want help figuring out where to focus, let’s connect for a custom Wellesley market evaluation so we can keep your sale on track from day one.
