Thinking about selling your home? Or,…maybe it’s already on the market. Once you accept an offer, the buyers will most likely hire a home inspector to inspect the home to make sure it is safe and sound. This process occasionally results in additional seller costs through unexpected repairs or even to the dreaded price renegotiations.
Most homeowners have an idea of the overall condition of their home, however, when was the last time you really looked around in your attic, crawlspace, or even the on the roof?
The following advice is offered to help sellers prepare for a smooth home inspection.
- Disclose any known problems
- If you know there are specific problems with the house, and you’re planning on selling it “as is”, disclose the problems to your Realtor. When an inspector finds an issue that wasn’t already disclosed or even covered up, it only makes the inspector more concerned and will lead to a more detailed inspection.
- Make the following areas accessible
- The home inspector will need to access the major components of the house such as the attic, electrical panel, heating and air conditioning system, water heater, and crawlspace. If there is furniture or belongings blocking access to these areas, the inspector’s standards of practice and insurance restricts them from moving them. This can result in additional inspections and will slow down the inspection process, not to mention frustration from the buyer and Realtors.
- Preinspect your house
Conduct your own inspection or hire a home inspector to perform a pre-sale inspection. Knowing the complete condition of the house beforehand can give you the upper edge. Most of the minor items can easily be fixed before the inspections.
Download our PreListing Checklist- Roof – inspectors typically find some type of roof deficiencies, however, a little inexpensive maintenance can go a long way. Check and repair any attic and plumbing vents, chimneys. Cut back any tree limbs hanging over the roof. Clean the gutters and downspouts.
- Heating & Air Conditioning – A dirty system is an indication of a lack of maintenance and will catch the eye of the inspector. Clean the unit exterior and replace dirty filters. Investigate any rust, unusual noises, or leaks. You may want to hire a local HVAC company to perform routine maintenance.
- Water Heater – Do you see any rust or leaks on the unit or water lines?
- Plumbing Leaks – Check for leaks under the sinks in the bathrooms and the kitchen. This again is a very typical problem noted during a home inspection. Most leaks are easily fixed by yourself or a handyman.
- Note: Loose toilets are the number one leak in bathrooms and can cause significant damage to the surrounding floor. Give it a nudge and see if it moves. If it moves a little, some minor tightening of the bolts may be all that is needed. If it moves a lot, you may have to reset the toilet and replace the wax ring
- Doors & Windows – Do they need a paint touch up or caulking? Again, this is a minor item, but one that definitely catches the eye of a home inspector.
- Smoke and Carbon Alarms – Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and working inside each bedroom and on each level of the house. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside the sleeping areas and one on each level of the house.
I hope this information helps to minimize any stress and keep your transaction smoothly moving along.
Download our PreListing Checklist
Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Brent Whalen
brent@inspectionSPI.com