A home inspection is a critical part of the home selling process. It gives the potential buyers information about the state of the property. This is a critical step as you transition from the signed purchase agreement to the final closing date. Here are 3 tips on how a seller can prepare for a home inspection.
Why You Need to Prepare for a Home Inspection
A diligent homebuyer decides whether the house is a smart investment based on the inspection report. Even after signing the purchase agreement, the buyer may still opt-out if the report shows daunting issues with the house. You can help this inspection go smoothly by preparing for it in advance.
Some home sellers even order a pre-listing inspection to assess the extent of repairs needed and settle on an asking price before putting the home on the market. No matter whether the seller or buyer has ordered the inspection, be sure to prepare the property in the following ways:
1. Are all Critical Areas Accessible?
An inspector needs to have easy access to the following areas of the house in order to complete the home inspection:
• Grounds and exterior
• Roof, doors, and windows
• Attic
• Crawl space or basement
• Interior rooms
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Breaker boxes, furnace rooms, water heater
Move any furniture, appliances, or clutter blocking access to the areas listed above. Provide keys to any locked areas. It not only raises a red flag when an inspector can’t access the furnace room or under the sinks, but it also slows down the whole process
2. Clean the House to Prepare for a Home Inspection
After clearing the critical areas, it is time to clean the house. The buyer may follow the inspector around during the inspection, and you want them to have a good impression. A tidy house shows that a property is cared for and well-maintained.
3. Make Some Repairs
As noted earlier, the inspection will highlight areas around the house in need of repairs and renovations. While small defects may not make the buyer walk away from the deal, it’s smart to make easy fixes so those issues won’t be documented in the inspection report.
• Replace missing roof shingles
• Replace blown bulbs and faulty wiring
• Unclog the gutters
• Tighten any loose nails and cracked wood in the patio or deck
• Treat the pool water, check and change the filters and valves
• Ask your HVAC system technician to do a routine service and checkup
• Fix running toilets
• Change the HVAC filter
• Test the pilot lights
• Label your fuse box
• Check for any leaks or visible damage on the piping system
Have all of your repair invoices and documents handy should the inspector ask to look at them.
Most homebuyers do not expect your home to be in perfect shape. They only need assurance that it’s in good condition with no major flaws or safety concerns. For the best outcome, use this checklist to prepare for a home inspection.
Bronze Star Home Inspections serves the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.