How to Prepare for a Home Inspection: Tips for Sellers
- Hire a professional The first step in how to prepare for a home inspection is to hire a professional and reputable home inspector. – Evolve Property Inspections
- Leave the house during the inspection ...
- Clean and declutter ...
- Replace light bulbs ...
- Keep safety hazards top of mind ...
- Remove pets from the house ...
- Clear access ...
- Be on the lookout for mold ...
Full Answer
Should a seller get a home inspection?
Of course, most would prefer it if sellers did get a pre-listing home inspection. Knowing the actual state of the house allows the Realtor to do a better job for the client. The agent can price the home more accurately, negotiate more confidently, and attract buyers more easily because buyers like homes inspected before listing.
What can you expect during a home inspection?
During the inspection, an inspector has three tasks: To: He or she produces a written report, usually including photos, that details any issues with the property. This report is critical to you and your agent -- its what youll use to request repairs from the seller. (Well get into how youll do that in a minute, too.)
What to expect during a home inspection?
- The size of the home
- The type of home (condo, co-op, single-family)
- Additional features including pool, tennis courts, guest house, or other outbuildings
What is a good checklist for a home inspection?
Your home inspection checklist: What to include
- Inspection needs vary state-to-state (and house-to-house) A general home inspection will cover all of the points listed above and then some. But the keyword here is general.
- Pest inspections. ...
- Septic inspection. ...
- Electrical inspection. ...
- Water wells. ...
- Tank sweep. ...
- Radon test. ...
- Location-based inspections. ...
What are 3 things you should do to prepare your house for a home inspection?
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare for the inspection.Provide open access to areas that need to be checked. ... Clear the perimeter. ... Check the roof. ... Keep a clean house. ... Replace any bulbs that are out. ... Make sure your toilets are functioning properly. ... Put in a fresh furnace return filter.More items...•
What is the best way to prepare for an inspection?
What is the Best Way to Prepare for an Inspection: 10 Easy StepsDeep clean your house.Tidy hidden areas.Remove obstacles around water heaters and furnaces.Trim trees and bushes.Make sure all utilities are on.Flip all the switches and check safety features.Catch up on maintenance.Provide maintenance records.More items...•
What are 5 very important things that are inspected in a home inspection?
The top five things home inspectors look forFoundation. The foundation is the workhorse of a house. ... Roof. Roof quality and performance can also make or break a house deal. ... Plumbing. Is there anything worse than a leak? ... Electrical systems. ... HVAC system.
What is the most important thing to look for in a home inspection?
Safety is an inspector's top priority, so expect a thorough examination of the electrical system which is the third leading cause of house fires. In addition to checking the electrical panel to make sure wiring and grounding are up to code, the inspector looks for corroded wires and correct amperage ratings.
How do I make a good impression at a home inspection?
When attending inspections, be sure to make a good first impression. Introduce yourself and be polite, friendly and enthusiastic. This, along with your neat, tidy and presentable appearance, will help you stand out and be remembered when agents / landlords are looking through all the applications.
What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection?
What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection? The short answer is none. From a legal standpoint, there are no mandatory repairs after a home inspection. That doesn't mean, however, that sellers can dismiss the home inspection offhand or refuse to pay for requested repairs and expect the sale to proceed.
What are the most commonly missed inspection items?
The Five Most Common Home Inspection MissesRoof Leaks. The majority of home inspectors do not physically access the roof during the inspection. ... HVAC Problems. ... Defective Appliances. ... Grading Issues. ... Hidden Flooring Issues. ... What You Can Do?
What are the 7 steps of inspection process?
7 Steps to Properly Conduct a Materials InspectionPre-inspection Steps.Photos.Review Project Specifications.Physical Condition of Material.Make & Manufacturer.Confirm Certifications.Storage Requirements.
What is an inspection checklist?
An inspection checklist, when used properly, is an assurance that a particular piece of equipment has been inspected. As each item on the checklist is ticked off, the person doing the inspection is verifying that each component of the equipment is in correct working order.
What are good questions to ask during a home inspection?
10 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector“What credentials do you have?” ... “What is covered in the home inspection?” ... “What does that mean?” ... “Is this issue major or minor?” ... “How well is the home insulated?” ... “Can you recommend a professional?” ... “How much longer does the roof have?” ... “Are there any drainage issues?”More items...•
What are the three basic safety concerns during the home inspection?
There are three main categories that should be evaluated during a home inspection:Structure. The most important item to look at during a home inspection is the structural integrity of the home. ... Safety. ... Deferred Maintenance.
How do I pass a 4 point home inspection?
How Do I Prepare For A 4-Point Inspection?The HVAC unit should be functioning properly. ... Look for any exposed or ungrounded wiring. ... Pay attention to signs of leakage, water-damaged walls and pipe deterioration. ... Have a roofing professional come to your home and inspect the condition of your roof.
What are the 7 steps of inspection process?
7 Steps to Properly Conduct a Materials InspectionPre-inspection Steps.Photos.Review Project Specifications.Physical Condition of Material.Make & Manufacturer.Confirm Certifications.Storage Requirements.
What are the 3 stages of inspection?
The Three Types of Quality InspectionsPre-production Inspection. During the pre-production phase, raw materials should be tested before entering production. ... In-line Inspection. Additional inspections should take place during various stages of production. ... Final Inspection.
What are three 3 things a manager should do during an inspection?
A manager should accompany the inspector so the manager can see and correct any violations found.Be Assertive and Proactive during a Health Inspection. ... Be Prepared. ... Do Self-Inspections. ... Manage the Inspection.
How do you prepare an inspection report?
Inspection Report Writing: 8 Best PracticesDon't rush it. ... Know your report writing template. ... Cater each report to the property. ... Stick to the facts. ... Be concise and understandable. ... Take LOTS of photos. ... Manage your risk.
What is included in a home inspection?
Your home inspection will include a detailed check of all windows and doors. Photo from Shutterstock.
What do home inspectors check?
Appliances: They’ll check to make sure any appliance that’s staying with the home is in good working order—like your stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, garage door, and water heater.
How to clean a crawl space?
1. Clean and declutter inspection access points. Clean furnace filter. Clean stove and oven. Empty storage from attic. Organize any closets that are access points to your attic or crawl space. Clear at least 4 to 6 inches of space around the perimeter of your home’s exterior. 2.
Why do you need a pre inspection?
Reasons to complete a pre-inspection. It’s an indication of honesty: Doing a pre-inspection sends a clear signal that you’re not trying to hide anything. It might even make a buyer feel confident enough to go ahead and submit an offer. Even if a potential buyer decides to pay for another independent inspection, ...
How to fix a broken garage door?
Flush all toilets and run all faucets. Run any ceiling or bathroom fans. Try all light switches. Open and close garage doors manually and with the remote, then test the reverse safety setting. Confirm weather stripping on doors is intact. Ensure that downspouts are properly diverting water away from the home.
Is it bad to show a buyer that you are willing to go the extra mile?
Showing the buyer that you are willing to go the extra mile is never a bad thing. It’s a negotiating strategy: Having a thorough inspection of your home keeps you from being blindsided by a major problem in a buyer’s inspection. It allows you to know when to stand firm on price and when you might need to give a bit.
Does pre inspection help closing?
Of course, completing a pre-inspection is up to you, but taking the time to complete it can help you increase your odds of a smooth closing.
What to do if your home inspection is not working?
If anything is not working or looks to be in disrepair, your best bet is to have it taken care of before the home inspector arrives. If any of these items get flagged on the home inspection report, you may have to negotiate the repair with the buyers, which can often be more work than taking care of the problem yourself.
How to make your house look good?
Just like your goal for the inside of the home is to have everything show its best, you’ll want to take the time to ensure that the home’s exterior looks nice as well. In this case, you should focus on doing the following: 1 Pump up the curb appeal by making sure the lawn is mowed and any landscaping is properly pruned, weeded, and watered 2 Clean out your gutters 3 Patch up any missing shingles on your roof
What is the goal of the inside of a house?
Just like your goal for the inside of the home is to have everything show its best, you’ll want to take the time to ensure that the home’s exterior looks nice as well. In this case, you should focus on doing the following:
Can pets get underfoot during inspections?
Often, pets can get underfoot during inspections and you don’t want to risk having anyone get hurt. However, there’s anything that you feel may be helpful for the inspector or the buyers to know, your best bet is likely to leave it in a note for them to find. Odds are that they will appreciate the shared wisdom.
Is a home inspection important?
Normally when people talk about preparing for a home inspection, they’re looking at things from the buyers perspective. While there’s no denying that the home inspection is an important event for the buyer, it’s ultimately something that sellers should prepare for, too.
Do doors and windows open properly?
All your doors and windows open and close properly. There are no cracks in your walls or by your foundation. There are no stains on your ceilings. If anything is not working or looks to be in disrepair, your best bet is to have it taken care of before the home inspector arrives.
What do home inspectors do?
And they don’t care about your decor. To test for problems, an inspector will do things like flip on the stove, start the dishwasher, flush toilets, and run faucets. These are just a few examples — an inspector’s work is highly meticulous. In fact the National Association of Home Inspectors has a 1,600-item checklist for inspectors to complete.
What is a pre-listing inspection?
With a pre-listing inspection, you obtain an inspection voluntarily before buyers ever come through the home. It’s kind of like a dry run. You find out what’s wrong with your house without the pressure of a buyer telling you to make certain fixes on deadline. At your leisure, you can repair obvious issues likely to delay closing. You can also mark down your price for any issues you don’t want to deal with personally.
How to prepare for a home inspection?
Preparing for a home inspection starts with understanding how an inspector thinks and operates. For example, you wouldn’t want to change out your home’s paint colors or go searching for issues in the walls to please the inspector or try to guess what they’re going to find.
How much does a home inspection cost in 2020?
You’ll also have to foot the bill for the inspection, which costs an average $337 in 2020. Source: (Adrian Swancar / Unsplash)
Why move stored items away from walls?
Move stored items away from the walls so that the inspector can view the foundation
What equipment do you need for a home inspection?
The inspector will also need the remote controls for any equipment being sold with the house, such as lights, fireplaces, or ceiling fans.
What areas of the house do you need to inspect?
That includes the attic, the crawlspace, the garage, the shed, and that quirky storage closet.
