Preparing Your Home For an Inspection Before Selling

Most of the time, deciding to sell your house is the easy part. However, it becomes more difficult to prepare it for sale. One of the most stressful parts of selling your home is getting it ready for an inspection. The report from the inspector is a big factor when it comes to getting your sale to go through. This is why a lot of sellers choose to complete a pre-listing inspection before potential buyers check out the house.

You might wonder why you need a pre-inspection if buyers usually pay for a professional inspection of homes, too. Well, it is important because it is also better if you know if there are any problems around your house, such as leaks in the roof and outdated electrical panels. An inspection will give you a heads-up on what a buyer might discover, and a head start on finding out what to fix and update. You also have the option to not do repairs, but your home’s selling price will be adjusted to that.

If you are going to sell your home soon and you are thinking of getting it inspected first, we are here to help you. In this post, we are giving you tips on how to prepare your home for an inspection before selling. 

Reasons To Do a Pre-Inspection

Here are some of the reasons a pre-inspection is essential for sellers:

A pre-inspection can be an indication of honesty.

When you do a pre-inspection, it means that you are not trying to hide anything about the home that you are selling. In fact, it might make a buyer feel confident enough to submit an offer immediately. Also, even if the potential buyer chooses to pay for another inspection, your initiative will bear that you have cared for your home. This is beneficial, particularly if you are selling your home on your own without a listing agent.

A pre-inspection is also a negotiating strategy.

When you have a thorough inspection of your home, it keeps you from being blindsided by a major problem in a buyer’s inspection. It also allows you to stand firm on price and know when to give a bit. For example, if you are aware that your home will need a new roof in a few years and choose not to replace it, then you may need to give a bit on price.

Things That Home Inspectors Check

Here are some of the common things that home inspectors check in a home:

Appliances

Home inspectors will check the appliances that are included in the home. They need to ensure that all of them are in good working order. Some of these include the refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, stove, oven, water heater, and garage door. 

Home Systems

A home inspector will also check the different systems in your home to see if they are working well. These include gas, electrical, heating, and cooling systems. 

Structural Features of Your Home

Home inspectors will also look for any issues with your home’s garage, doors, windows, siding, roof, attic, and crawl space.

How Sellers Should Prepare For a Home Inspection

a beautiful house

Here are some of the important things that you need to do to prepare your home for an inspection:

1. A Month or More Before the Inspection

Here are the important things you need to complete a month or more before the home inspection:

  • Prepare all the needed paperwork.

You need to check through your files and get all the paperwork about general maintenance and repairs. You can include documents that show HVAC inspections, roof repairs, and other house-related fixes. This way, if an issue comes up in the home inspection that you have already addressed, you can show proof. 

  • Draw a map of your property or locate your survey.

If you have a septic system or a well in your backyard that is buried, you need to sketch where it is located so that the home inspector can find and check it. If you are not sure about the exact location, you still have enough time to find it before the inspector arrives. 

  • Fix the things that you know need fixing or be prepared for price negotiation.

If there are issues around your house that you are aware of, it is better to address them before the inspection as it would most likely uncover them anyway. All of the problems that you expect to show up during the inspection must be dealt with as early as possible. Also, if you choose to not make any repairs, you need to be prepared to adjust your asking price instead.

2. A Week Before the Inspection

Here are the essential things you need to consider a week before your home inspection:

  • Ensure that the inspector has access to all areas of your home.

You will most likely pack up your things as you prepare for your home to be inspected. However, you need to ensure that you pack strategically as the inspector will need to check every electrical panel, closet, attic, crawl space, furnace, and water heater in your home. Avoid stacking up boxes that would block those areas.

  • Declutter your property.

If there is clutter anywhere on your property, it is the best time to declutter. These include cutting any branches or weeds that are covering the roof, siding, or other areas of interest. You also need to ensure that the inspector will see the faucets and other electrical outlets. 

  • Turn on all utilities.

If your property is vacant, you also need to ensure all of the utilities are turned on for the inspector to check accordingly.

3. A Day Before the Inspection

Here are the important things that you need to do one day before the home inspector arrives:

  • Clean your home.

Before a home inspection, it is essential to clean your home thoroughly. This will provide the inspector the immediate sense that the house is well-cared for and well-maintained. It can also help them to not dig deeper into minor issues.

  • Check the lights and appliances first before the home inspector does.

It is also great if you can check your lights and appliances. See if there are any blown-out light bulbs and replace them as needed. You also need to ensure that the pilot lights are lit on the stove, water heater, and furnace. Any light fixtures and appliances that don’t work can cause the inspection to be incomplete, which will delay the whole process.

  • Check all the accessible areas.

You can also tour your property and see if all the areas are accessible. You also need to make sure that the inspector will have access to locked sheds, gates, or anything else around your home.

4. On Inspection Day

Once the home inspection day arrives, here are the things that you need to do:

  • Tidy up the place.

On inspection day, ensure that you tidy up your bedroom and living areas, wash the dishes in the sink, and make sure that you leave the house in excellent condition.

  • Animals should not be an issue.

If you have any pets at home, before you leave, ensure that they are secure. Most inspectors also prefer animals to be taken off the premises. But you can also secure them in a crate on the property if needed. 

These are some of the best tips that we can give when it comes to preparing your home for an inspection. Keep in mind that completing a pre-inspection is up to you, but taking the time to complete it can surely help increase your odds of selling your home fast.