Inspection before contract

[Vanessa Deluca]

Hi...I have a couple questions. 

1.  I am just about to list another property I have. I have a friend who is a realtor who has a buyer..however, he has told me that the person may want an inspection prior to writing their offer for me.  They are serious buyer.  I have never done any deals this way....I have always had a contract and then inspection...I  can see how it can go positive or not for me (if they found something...I am not aware of anything wrong..in fact it seems great shape)..Any thoughts on this??

2.  I need to get a septic inspection (different location).  I find many of these inspectors are either in the business or selling or replacing or doing work on septic tanks/fields.  I do find that a conflict of interest...Hyptothetically,  one part of the invoice could list a charge for the inspection....a couple lines down there is a "failed inspection ' suggestion of replacing XYZ for $5000.   How does one go about getting this inspected without this potential conflict of interest?? I had something similar happen years ago with a 'reliable' AC company that was full of it.... I

Thanks in advance..