Kief Manning, owner of First Defense Building Inspection in Tucson, Arizona, inspects homes for sellers before they go on the market. Kief holds Arizona BTR license #76157, flies as a licensed drone pilot, and works as a disaster relief inspector. If you are thinking about listing a home in Southern Arizona, call (520) 505-1423 and ask about a pre-list inspection.
Want to talk it through? Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection. See pricing and all inspection services too.
What we inspect
A pre-list inspection covers the same ground a buyer’s inspector will cover, so you see the house the way a buyer will. We look at:
- The roof covering, flashing, and drainage, including tile, shingle, and foam roofs
- Stucco, exterior trim, windows, doors, and grading around the house
- Foundation and visible structure
- Electrical panel, outlets, and safety devices
- Plumbing fixtures, water heater, and visible drain lines
- Heating and cooling systems and ducts
- Attic, insulation, and ventilation
- Interior surfaces, doors, and built-in appliances
Pool equipment and sewer lines can be added if your property has them.
Who it is for
Sellers in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Vail, Sonoita, Benson, Arizona City, Casa Grande, and Maricopa use this service for a few common reasons. Some own an older house and do not know what has aged out. Some inherited a property and need a clear picture before listing. Some just want fewer surprises once an offer comes in and the buyer’s inspector shows up. Agents often suggest it to sellers who want a smoother negotiation. If you are on the buying side instead, see our Tucson home inspection page.
What the report includes
You get a written report with photos, plain-language findings, and suggested next steps. Each item says what we saw and why it matters, so you can decide what to fix before listing, what to disclose, and what to leave alone. The report is yours. What you do with it, including whether to share it with buyers, is a decision between you and your agent. We do not tell you what to repair, and we do not do the repairs ourselves.
Southern Arizona issues we see
Certain problems show up again and again on homes headed to market here:
- Monsoon leaks at roof flashing, skylights, and wall-to-roof transitions
- Foam roofs with worn coating, blistering, or standing water
- Stucco cracks that buyers notice right away and want explained
- Yard grading and downspouts that push water toward the slab
- Aging clay or cast-iron sewer lines, which a sewer scope can check
- Older cooling equipment near the end of its life
- Pool pumps, heaters, and controls that have not been serviced in years
Finding these early gives you time to get quotes from licensed contractors on your own schedule instead of during a short escrow.
How to book
Call before you list, ideally a couple of weeks ahead of photos and showings so there is time to act on the findings. Give us the address, the age of the home, and any known problems. We take calls seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seller or the agent can be at the house, or we can arrange access. Email works too at FirstDefenseInspection@gmail.com, and our mailing address is 8987 E Tanque Verde Rd, Ste 309 #156, Tucson, AZ 85749.
Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection.
See how we handle cost on our pricing page, or browse all inspection services.