One of the things that I always recommend that sellers do when preparing to put their home on the market, and one thing that hardly any of them do, is to get a pre-inspection of their home.  I suspect not doing it has to do with one of two things:  (1) not wanting to spend a penny more than they absolutely have to, and (2) not wanting to know anything wrong that they might have to disclose.  Both of these are obvious, but wrong, reasons.

Let's address (1) first.  An inspection will cost a few hundred dollars (generally $500 or less, depending on whether you have a septic system that needs inspection or want to have a termite inspection).  Having that pre-inspection, however, can generate enough confidence in prospective buyers that you're likely to get an offer sooner, and for more money, than you would otherwise.  If something turns up in the inspection, and you repair it and can show the evidence of the repairs (receipts, etc.), a possible negative turning up at the buyer's inspection is turned into a positive - you've acted pro-actively to fix problems, again, generating confidence in the house in the prospective buyer.  This potentially translates into less money going out in mortgage payments because of a quicker sale, and the ability for you, the seller, to move forward with your own plans. 

The second issue, not wanting to know something you'd have to disclose, is akin to hiding your head under the covers and thinking that no one will ever be able to see you.  Remember, the buyer will get an inspection (unless you already have one, in which case they may decide to accept yours - it happens).  So, anything you don't already know about is more than likely to turn up in that inspection, and you'll have to deal with it then, at a point when you already thought you had the house sold, you'll have to negotiate what you're willing to do in the way of repairs or credit the buyer in the way of repair allowances, and the deal may just fall through as a result. 

Wouldn't it be better to know what you're selling, to have no unpleasant surprises during the option period, to be able to price the house based on what it is, either making repairs or pricing the house accordingly, and have a prompt, clean, sweet deal for a good price? 

There are many good reasons for getting your house inspected before putting it on the market, and few good reasons not to do so.