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How To Prepare For A Home Inspection
Are you planning to sell your home? The home inspection process is an integral part of selling your property.
Preparing for the home inspection pays off. Usually, the inspection takes place between the purchase agreement signing and the final closing date. You should make sure everything is ready for inspection. That's because your buyer could withdraw before the closing, explains Scott Wilkinson, owner of Uptown Properties.
In this article, we'll cover the basics of getting ready for a home inspection. You'll learn how these inspections work and what prior steps to take.
What is the purpose of home inspections?
A home inspection is a way to evaluate the condition of your home. You could get a home inspection done before you even put the property on sale. In this way, you can fix potential issues before any showings.
But the most common scenario is someone finds a suitable property for their next home. Then, the buyer makes an offer to purchase the property. The buyer and seller might negotiate on the closing date, price, and other details. After signing the purchase agreement, the buyer hires a home inspector.
What happens if the inspection uncovers any issues with your home? The buyer could back out of the sale. Often, they have the opportunity not to accept any problems detected by the inspector.
Now you can see why a home inspection isn't just a formality. It can make or break the sale.
What does the home inspector do?
When a home inspector enters your home, he will check your property for the following:
Foundation issues
Structural integrity
Excess moisture levels
Electrical problems
Water damage
The condition of your roof and chimney
Plumbing: pipes, tanks, and valves
This is not a conclusive list. Your home inspector could find issues related to other areas.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR THE HOME INSPECTION?
Follow this list of practical suggestions to get ready for your home inspection.
1. LEAVE THE UTILITIES ON
Always leave the utilities on before the home inspector arrives. There are many reasons for this such as:
Checking the receptacles for reverse polarity and grounding
Running various appliances in your home
Testing the HVAC system
The home inspector may reschedule your inspection after finding the power is turned off. In such cases, many inspectors charge a reinspection fee.
2. CLEAN THE HOME
Homeowners selling their property have a tight schedule. Sometimes it's easy to forget about basics, such as cleaning your home before the inspector arrives.
The home inspector won't check whether your property is spotless. However, impressions matter a lot and home inspections aren't an exception. Seeing a clean home sends a clear message about the owner's sense of responsibility and ability to care for the home.
3. PRESENT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Has your home undergone renovation or remodeling? Maybe you have a new roof? Provide all the paperwork regarding your home and its repairs. Reinspecting any projects taken place on the property is an important step for buyers.
4. ALLOW ACCESS TO THE FURNACE AND WATER HEATERS
In many homes, furnace and water heaters aren't easily accessible. There might be anything from furniture to bookcases blocking the access. Clear away any clutter or pieces of furniture that prevent the home inspector from conducting his job.
5. USE A PRACTICAL CHECKLIST
Use the following checklist to organize everything before the inspector arrives:
Exterminate pests living in your home.
Check the status of smoke detectors. Replace outdated devices.
Fix plumbing issues, including small leaks and blockages.
Ensure all your doors and windows open and close without problems.
See if HVAC system filters need replacing.
Test all the locks in your house to make sure they work well.
Ensure the weather stripping on doors isn't damaged.
Examine the lighting situation in your home. Inspect the switches and bulbs.
Apply fresh caulk around sinks and tubs.
Check the expiration dates of fire extinguishers.
Clean furnace filter.
See if the heating ducts properly connect to the crawl space.
6. TAKE CARE OF THE EXTERIOR
The home inspection isn't only focusing on the interior of your home. You should make sure the exterior is up to the standards as well.
Here are the major exterior improvements you could do before the inspection:
Clean out your gutters.
Confirm that downspouts divert the water away from the building.
Pressure wash any debris off the roof.
Clean the downspout drainage.
Make sure there's no debris around the AC compressor.
Trim trees that are too close to the roofline.
The bottom line: getting ready for a home inspection
The home inspection is a crucial part of selling your home. Ensuring that everything is in good order before the inspection makes your life easier. Some homeowners opt for an inspection even prior to putting the home for sale.
