It’s exciting when you are selling your home and have a potential buyer with a great offer. However, if your buyer has made the sale contingent on an inspection, which is common, you should get ready for this last hurdle. Let’s look at how you can best prepare for a home inspection.
Create Access to Areas That Typically Get Inspected
Give the inspector easy access to all areas of your home. It might become a red flag for your buyer if their inspector has problems inspecting certain areas and components of your home. Make sure all parts of the home are accessible and unlocked. Get rid of clutter in areas such as:
- Furnace room
- Basement
- Under sinks
- Attic
- Crawlspace
- Utility Closets
Clear the Outside of Your Home
Another way to prepare for a home inspection is to clear the exterior of the house. Get rid of trash cans, overgrown branches or shrubs, and stored items around areas such as:
- Windows
- Doors
- Siding
- Trim
Prepare For a Home Inspection By Addressing the Roof
The home inspector is going to inspect the roof.
If possible, grab a ladder and do the following:
- Clean debris and moss from your gutters.
- Adjust downspouts.
- Replace missing or damaged shingles.
It’s a good idea to take care of any roof damage prior to the inspector’s visit.
Make Sure Your House Is Clean
You’ve likely gone through and cleaned your home meticulously prior to putting it up on the market. Don’t get lazy in this area simply because you have an offer from the buyer. Go back and prepare for a home inspection by making sure everything is still perfectly tidy for the inspector’s visit. A clean home all by itself isn’t going to affect the inspection. However, a messy home may suggest to the buyer that the home hasn’t been well-maintained.
Replace Burned Out Light Bulbs to Prepare for a Home Inspection
An inspector is going to wonder whether there is faulty wiring when a light doesn’t turn on. Replace any dead light bulbs before the inspection so there’s no question.
Check All Toilets
An inspector will note a toilet that runs too long after a flush. This is easy to fix. Take care of it as you prepare for a home inspection.
Replace the Filter on the Furnace
You should be replacing the furnace filter regularly to keep your equipment running efficiently. It helps the heating system operate better and improves your indoor air quality. Make sure the inspector sees a clean filter so they don’t wonder whether you’ve been taking care of the heating system appropriately.
Label the Fuse Box Properly
Double-check that the fuse box isn’t labeled in a confusing manner.
Check for Water Damage and Leaks to Prepare for a Home Inspection
An inspector will be looking for water damage and leaks. Have any water-related problems fixed before the inspection.
Preparing for a home inspection in advance will help your whole transaction go more smoothly. Use the above tips to do it well.
American Dream Home Inspections provides home inspection services to New Jersey. Contact us to schedule your inspection.