The Home Inspector’s Corner: How to Prepare Your Home for a Smooth Inspection – Tips for Sellers

Welcome to The Home Inspector’s Corner! I’m Brian McGinn, your trusted Master Home Inspector. If you’re selling your home, one of the most important steps in the process is the home inspection. A successful inspection can help the sale move forward smoothly, while a problematic one can delay or even derail the deal.

In this edition, we’ll share some expert tips on how sellers can prepare their homes for inspection, ensuring everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Why a Smooth Inspection Is Important for Sellers

The home inspection is a crucial part of any real estate transaction. A positive report can help close the deal faster, while unexpected issues may lead to renegotiations or even scare off potential buyers. By preparing your home before the inspection, you can minimize surprises and create a more favorable environment for the inspector and buyer.

Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Smooth Home Inspection

Here are some practical steps sellers can take to ensure their home inspection goes smoothly:

Clean and Declutter Your Home

• Why It’s Important: A clean and organized home not only makes a great first impression but also makes it easier for the inspector to access critical areas like the attic, basement, or crawl spaces.
• What to Do: Before the inspection, do a thorough cleaning and decluttering. Make sure all key areas are easily accessible, including the garage, utility rooms, and spaces where the HVAC, water heater, and electrical panel are located.

Ensure All Utilities Are On

• Why It’s Important: The inspector needs to test various systems in the home, including plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling. If the utilities are turned off, the inspection could be delayed or incomplete.
• What to Do: Make sure all utilities (water, electricity, gas) are on and functioning properly, even if the home is vacant. The inspector will need to test faucets, outlets, lights, and other systems.

Replace Light Bulbs and Test Fixtures

• Why It’s Important: If light bulbs are out, the inspector may note that an electrical issue exists. This can lead to unnecessary concerns for the buyer.
• What to Do: Replace any burnt-out light bulbs and test all light fixtures to ensure they’re working correctly. This small effort helps prevent minor issues from being flagged during the inspection.

Provide Clear Access to Key Areas

• Why It’s Important: Inspectors need easy access to areas like the attic, basement, electrical panels, furnace, and water heater. If these areas are blocked or hard to reach, the inspection might be delayed.
• What to Do: Move any furniture, boxes, or other items that may block access to important inspection points. Ensure the inspector can easily get to the attic entrance, breaker box, and HVAC systems.

Check for Leaks and Fix Plumbing Issues

• Why It’s Important: Plumbing leaks are a common issue flagged during inspections, and they can raise concerns about potential water damage or mold.
• What to Do: Check under sinks, around faucets, and near appliances like dishwashers and washing machines for leaks. Fix any leaks you find and consider having a plumber assess your system if there are persistent issues.

Test Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• Why It’s Important: Functional smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are critical for safety and are often required by local codes.
• What to Do: Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they’re working. Replace batteries or units as needed, and make sure they are properly installed in key locations like bedrooms and hallways.

Clean or Replace HVAC Filters

• Why It’s Important: A clogged or dirty HVAC filter can impact the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, raising concerns for the inspector and buyer.
• What to Do: Clean or replace HVAC filters before the inspection. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can also prevent it from being flagged as a potential issue.

Fix Minor Repairs

Why It’s Important: Small issues like loose doorknobs, leaky faucets, or cracked windows might seem insignificant, but they can add up in the inspection report and cause unnecessary worry for buyers.

What to Do: Take care of minor repairs before the inspection. Fix leaky faucets, repair any damaged windows or doors, and secure loose fixtures or handrails. These small tasks will help make your home inspection-ready.

Trim Trees and Clear the Exterior

• Why It’s Important: Overgrown trees, bushes, or debris around the home can create issues for the exterior inspection, including the roof and foundation.

What to Do: Trim any overgrown trees or shrubs that are too close to the house. Clear gutters of debris, clean out downspouts, and remove any items blocking the foundation or exterior walls.

Leave the Property During the Inspection

• Why It’s Important: Buyers and inspectors need space to conduct the inspection thoroughly and without interruption. It can be uncomfortable for both parties if the seller is present.
• What to Do: Plan to be away from the property for the duration of the inspection, which typically lasts 2-3 hours. This allows the inspector to work efficiently and the buyers to ask questions freely.

Looking Ahead

In our next edition, we’ll explore “How to Address Common Inspection Issues: A Guide for Sellers.” Learn how to handle the results of your home inspection and keep your sale on track, even if problems are discovered.

Thinking of selling your home? Get prepared for a smooth inspection by following these tips. If you need an experienced home inspector to give you an honest evaluation before you list, Contact us at (303) 218-6611 for a comprehensive home inspection service. Let’s ensure your home is ready to impress!

Bonus Tip

Did you know? Simple upgrades like fresh caulking around windows and doors can help improve energy efficiency and prevent potential water damage—two things inspectors will take note of during the inspection.

Thank you for reading this edition of The Home Inspector’s Corner by Cherry Home Inspections. With these preparation tips, you can help ensure a smooth inspection and a successful sale!