3 Tips For Getting Through The Home Inspection As A Seller
When it comes to selling your home, even after you get an offer, you need the home inspection to go well in order for the sale to go through. The home inspection often unmasks things about your home that you may not even be aware of, which is why it helps to be prepared for the home inspection portion of selling your home.
Tip #1: Get a Pre-Inspection
One of the best ways to ensure you are not surprised by the results of the home inspection when a potential buyer puts an offer on your home is by getting a pre-inspection. A pre-inspection will let you know about things that you may not be aware of, such as corroded plumbing. You can use the information from the pre-inspection to decide what you want to fix before listing your home for sale. If you fix any major issues, you should document the process of fixing those issues.
One downside to a pre-inspection is that you will now have to legally disclose the results of the pre-inspection to the agent for the people interested in purchasing your home. Additionally, there is no guarantee that a later home inspection will not find further issues. You are not legally obligated to get a pre-inspection; this is just one way you can ensure your home is ready to sell.
Tip #2: Declutter Your Home
Second, before a home inspector comes to your home, you need to make sure the inspector will be able to get to the areas they need to access. If they can't get to the areas that they need to access, such as the electrical panel, they can't complete the inspection, which means the buyer will not be able to finalize the sale.
You can help with this issue by decluttering your home before the inspection. You need to move all items that would block an inspector's ability to check out things such as the electrical panel, appliances, and plumbing fixtures.
When decluttering for the home inspection, remember to move items from under your sinks so the plumbing can be inspected. Clear out your basement so the inspector can see and assess the condition of the walls. Make sure items aren't piled up against your home so the inspector can see the foundation.
Tip #3: Make Sure Your Home Is in Working Condition
You need to make sure your home is fully operational. That means all your utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity, are on. If any appliances, lights, or ceiling fans use remote controls instead of switches, make sure the controls are easy to access and find and have working batteries in them. You want to make sure your appliances are plugged in.
If you are selling your home, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a pre-inspection of your home. Before the formal home inspection, declutter your home so the inspector can fully do their job. Make sure your home is in working condition as well so the inspector can test everything they need to in order to fully do their job.
For more information, contact a local home inspector.