How to Prepare Your Home for an Inspection
So you finally decided to sell your house and now it’s time to show it in its best light to potential buyers. Having a thorough cleaning or a new paint job simply won’t cut it as there might be some issues even you didn’t know about and discovering them when a customer arrives is surely a very unpleasant experience and a strong argument to lower the price.
That is why it is a good idea to schedule a meeting with a home inspector service like The Inspectors Company who will turn your house upside down in search for all sorts of issues. It is crucial to know exactly what you are dealing with and then adjust your initial price accordingly.
You should leave no room for surprises!
Additionally, the buyer will have more reason to trust you when you show how familiar you are with the property. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for an inspection.
The Insurance Game
Inspection plays a big roll in the way insurance companies will treat your property. Your buyer could potentially have problems with his insurance company if his inspector discovers some problems which the policy does not cover. Some issues might be so big that insurance appraisers would outright deny the house an insurance program which surely is a deal breaker.
What you need to do is be fully aware of the property and all of its flaws and make sure it’s properly insured. Whatever problem you find, don’t let it escalate into something that would require big reparations which would only add to your costs and extend the time needed to prepare the house.
The best way to sell a house is to get to know to it in detail. Buyers and especially inspectors will easily sniff out if you are trying to hide something. It is important to determine if there are any serious issues with the house which might negatively affect the insurance company’s attitude towards the house. Water damage and mold are one of the most common deal breakers.
How to Prepare
Leave Everything On
Inspector will want to check your utilities and appliances, so make sure you leave them all connected. Leave all the lights on, and of course, report any issues that you are aware of so that the inspector wouldn’t waste any time.
Provide Unlimited Access
The inspector will need to access all the areas of the home, so make sure to make it easy for them to get into the basement or the attic. Make sure there isn’t any water in the basement. If you use either of these rooms for storage, make sure to move all the items at least a few feet away from the walls.
Make sure to leave the keys for any locked doors or utility boxes. Provide the keys for the garage door, the electrical box, and the sprinklers. Make sure to label the keys for the inspector, so they can manage easier. According to the Home Buying Institute, an average home inspection may take from two to four hours.
The home inspector will also want to inspect the water heater, furnace, and air conditioner units, so make sure to leave enough space for them to maneuver around them. They will need at least three feet of space so they can inspect these areas thoroughly.
Clean Your Home
Clean your home thoroughly from head to toes, both inside and outside. You do want it to shine for buyers, but you also want to help the property inspectors finish the work unhindered.
Make sure you give access to every corner of the house with keys visibly placed wherever needed.
Don’t Be Late
Home inspectors tend to arrive early, so make sure you are there at least half an hour before your scheduled home inspector appointment. Inspectors usually start with the exterior, so if you are not ready or dressed leave the drapes drawn. They might start inspecting the home before they even knock on the door, so don’t get startled by a stranger in your garden.
Prepare All the Documentation
Gather all the documents you have for the house. Share info about past renovations and upgrades. The more data you can pile up, more precise inspection you would get.
Be sure to enable enough space and free movement around the house, let them see everything they want and be open for questions.
You can even prepare small Q&A pamphlets and place them at the entrance. It is crucial to establish a trustful relationship with your inspector and buyers in order to have a satisfying outcome.
