How to Get Ready for a Home Inspection
The process of home selling is full of uncertainties. You can never be so sure until you pass the home inspection stage. That is because the report of a home inspection can alter the property’s price. Sometimes, it can even make it difficult to sell the house and this is a nightmare for home sellers.
Your home’s curb appeal may attract buyers, but as Alltrade Properties explain, it is the property’s condition that determines whether you will sell it. Before the home inspection stage, the seller has complete control over the sales process. But this is often short-lived as the home inspection relegates the seller to an observer. Home sellers do not want this.
However, you can still retain some control or influence over the home inspection result if you follow our recommendations. As a home seller, you need to play a proactive role during the inspection process. It would be best if you get a pre-listing inspection. We also recommend that you apply the following tips while preparing for a home inspection:
1. Declutter, clean, and clear all access points
The home inspector needs free and easy access to every part of the property. If clutter prevents them from accessing critical areas, it will hurt the home inspection report, and buyers will become suspicious.
Also, a dirty property translates to poor maintenance. So it is essential to clean, declutter, and clear the access points. We recommend that you perform deep cleaning. It can be a tedious and technical process, so it would be best to hire professionals.
Keep the building’s perimeter free of clutter. Doing so will enable the inspectors to access the foundation, appliances, walls, and windows. It would be best if you do not forget the attic and basement during the cleaning. All the access points to the crawl space and attic should be clutter-free. The appliances in your kitchen require deep cleaning as well. Ensure that the HVAC filters are clean and functional.
2. Test the function of the home’s systems
During a home inspection, the inspectors will check the functionality of the essential systems in the home. For this reason, it would be best if you test to check if they are functioning.
Inspect the heating ducts to know if they are connected and intact. Check if the ducts are venting out of the attic. Flushing the toilets will help you notice the presence of blockage or slow drains.
Check the water pressure by running all the faucets at once. Test the light switches and bulbs to know if they are working. Inspect your doors and windows to assess the condition of the weather stripping, locks, and seals. Also, examine the functionality of your garage door by testing the remote, manual, and reverse safety mechanism.
3. Make the necessary repairs and replacements
After testing the systems or having a pre-listing home inspection, you may discover areas that require repairs or replacements. The essential ones to consider include:
Roof repairs – Ensure that the roof gutters and downspouts are functioning. That will involve removing debris, lichens, or moss from the roof. Repair every hole or cracks that may cause leaks and replace damaged or missing shingles.
Insulation – Make proper additions, replacements, or repairs if you discover inadequate, damaged, or missing shingles.
Electrical fixtures – Ensure that all your light bulbs, switches, and exhaust fans are in good condition.
Kitchen and bathroom – Replace or repair all damaged cabinets. Fix all plumbing leaks and ensure that the caulking is in perfect condition.
Water damage – If you notice any water damage, trace the cause and repair it.
Doors and windows – Ensure that all your doors and windows are in good condition. The weather stripping, latches, doorknobs, and seals should be intact.
Foundation – Repair all minor holes or cracks in the foundation.
4. Inspect the home’s safety features
The safety of every home is essential and home inspectors will not overlook it. Here, you need to consider:
- Pest and rodent extermination. You can do this by hiring professional exterminators.
- Cap flues and chimneys to prevent animals, pests, or debris from entering them.
- Test the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms using the self-test function. Also, replace dead batteries and expired detectors.
- Examine your fire extinguisher to be sure that they are working. Note the gauge and expiry dates.
- Shut off unused gas lines and cover the caps.
5. Final preparations
As part of the final preparation, you will:
- Provide all the maintenance records for the property.
- Sketch a map to show all the hidden areas in the house.
- Make proper labels of electrical boxes, keys, and remote controls.
- Ensure that you connect all the utilities and keep the pilot lights on.
Bottom line
The home inspection will last for at least three hours, and during this time, you will be away from the property. If you make the necessary preparations, the process will be smooth, giving you positive results.