Once you’ve decided to sell your home, there are numerous elements to consider for the buying process. This includes finding an agent, determining a listing price, and making sure it’s ready for presentation. An important part of this process is home inspection preparation. A solid home inspection report is key to ensuring the sale goes through. The good news is that there are steps you can take to make the inspection process goes as smoothly as possible.
Clear All Access Points
When setting up an inspection, the last thing you want is for it to be impossible for the inspector to get where they need to be. Ensure that inspectors have a clear path to necessary areas, including attics, basements, and under sinks. Experts suggest leaving 4 to 6 inches of space clean around the perimeter of your home’s exterior for access. This means removing unnecessary plants and items like trash cans.
Look at Functionality
If you know there are specific items that an inspector will review in your home, you can check their functionality before the inspection happens. This includes everything from opening windows and doors to testing all your light switches. In addition, make sure your home’s weatherstripping is intact, run fans that are in your home (both ceiling and bathroom), and check the manual and automatic garage doors.
Check for Water Damage
A home inspector will look for leaks or water damage during an inspection. Getting in front of them helps you repair them before the inspection occurs. Look for leaks in key areas, such as around faucets, toilets, and bathtubs. Also, check appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators that are prone to leaks. In terms of water damage, you want to review areas like walls, floors, or ceilings. This is to look for damage signs such as buckling, warping, or sagging.
Make Repairs Before Home Inspection
If there are issues that you can fix before the inspection, do so. From broken light bulbs to clearing clogged drains, any proactive fixes you make help the inspection process go smoothly. Other repairs you can make include fixing insulation in attics and crawl spaces, replacing cracked windows, and updating missing pieces of a roof.
Call Us For a Home Inspection
A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process. By doing proactive home inspection preparation and maintaining a checklist of tasks to do before the it occurs, you make it easy for an inspector to complete.
