For homeowners looking to sell their homes the inspection is often an anxiety-inducing part of the process—but it doesn’t have to be.
While getting a favorable inspection report is partially the result of how you have maintained and cared for your home over the years, there are still some things you can do now to make the day of the inspection go more smoothly, and increase your chances for a good report.
Here are ten tips you can implement now to prepare your home for inspection:
- Clean. This may seem like an obvious piece of advice, but it’s still important. While “neat and clean” isn’t an official category on the inspection report, the state of your home will set a tone and give the inspector a clue as to how well the space has been maintained over time.
- Clear the path. Your home inspector will need to get to areas like the attic and hot water heater. Make sure access to these spaces is easy and not blocked by boxes or, for outdoor items, foliage or debris.
- Get your paperwork in order. Have you had your roof repaired or replaced lately? Did you just install a new HVAC system? Have your repair and installation documents ready, along with any warranties you have, so the home inspector can make an accurate record of the work you’ve had done.
- Don’t get your wires crossed. When it comes to home inspections, electricity is a big deal. The inspector will want to be sure that no threat is posed by unsafe wiring, so make sure that all of your lighting fixtures are in good working order without any hanging or exposed wires, and that all of your outlets have GFCI receptacles installed.
- Test the batteries. Before your home inspector arrives, test the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace any dead batteries so these important safety features are functioning properly.
- Stay connected. If you’re not living in the home you’re selling, you may have turned off utilities. In order for the inspector to assess the condition of the home, he or she will have to turn on appliances like the dishwasher and test the plumbing by turning on the faucet and flushing the toilet.
- Keep it lit. Your home inspector will also need to check the condition of gas stoves and any other item that may use a pilot lights. Make sure that pilot lights are lit so the inspection can be completed without delays.
- Declutter closets. If your closets are overcrowded, consider thinning them out a little. In addition to providing easier access to crawl spaces or the attic (often reached through a hatch or door in a closet), clearing the space will allow the inspector to see inside more clearly to check for signs of water damage or other structural issues.
- Fix the little things. Before your home inspector arrives, take care of minor repairs like cracked tiles or holes in the wall from where you had a nail. The less there is for the inspector to notice that day, the better!
- Prep your systems. Your home inspector will want to be sure the major systems in your home are functioning well. Before the inspection, make sure that your heating and cooling systems have new filters, and that the sealings around toilets are sound and intact to ensure optimal functioning.
With a bit of planning and preparation you can increase your chances for a favorable home inspection. Be sure to ask your Bucks County, PA real estate agent if you have any questions about the inspection process and how to best navigate it during the sale of your home!
