Real estate is a big decision. It includes the hassle of listing and showing your home, plus a move-to-plan. Plus, your home is going to be inspected. Buyers rely on home inspectors to give them an objective insight into the condition of the house that they are buying. Aside from that, through a home inspection, buyers will be able to plan how to improve their new home through a home inspection.The home inspection plays a big part in the buying and selling process, and the last thing you want as a seller is for the deal to unravel because of the home inspection. However, if you do not prepare for it, a home inspection can be the cause of the delay in the closing. It can also potentially weaken your negotiating power or even cost you the sale and force you to start the process again. Therefore, preparation is the key to avoiding hassle and delays. Here are some tips that can help you in preparing your home for inspection before selling:
Plan to Be Away
Understandably, you would want to stick around during the home inspection process; however, you must leave with your kids and pets as they conduct the home inspection. The inspectors and prospective buyers need the freedom and space to do what they need without your interference. The home inspection process usually takes around 2 hours. So, upon knowing the home inspection schedule, it is better to plan accordingly on what to do as they inspect your home.
Make It Easy
The home inspector will examine every inch of your home. As much as possible, as the current homeowner, you want to make the job easier for them as they want to collect as much information as possible to help the potential buyer understand the home. Making it easy for them leaves a good impression. Remember that you should not be around during the inspection proc; however, they are things that you can do to make it easier for the inspectors to check your home:
Unlock everything. You want the home inspectors to have access to every homeroom and area. That is why it is essential to unlock everything or provide well-marked codes and keys.
Provide clear access to attics and crawl spaces and ensure that inspectors can freely enter and move around. Be sure to remove any blocks that can hinder them from having access to these spaces.
Be sure to remove any household items that might block access to HVAC units, water heaters, and other major appliances.
Clear away any exterior landscaping or items such as garbage cans, grills, or furniture that obscure the view of the foundation.
Post maintenance records clearly on relevant units.
Provide an organized file of pertinent documents relating to big-ticket items in your home. This could include warranties, service records, remodel permits, purchase receipts, etc.
Spend Some Time on the Roof and Gutters
The problems with the roof can potentially derail the sale of the home. If your roof is in bad shape or needs a replacement, you have to be prepared to offer price concessions for the work required. However, if it is not the case, there are still some things that you should do.Be sure to remove visible moss or debris. If there are broken or missing shingles, replace them ahead of time. Also, you have to clean the gutters and check the downspouts. Be sure to repair anything that needs to be repaired before the home inspection.
Tidy Up
A tidy home makes a good impression. Although a messy house isn’t equivalent to a damaged house, it is still better to tidy up and make a good impression. Clean up before the home inspection. Clear the clutter, replace burnt-out light bulbs, and put in a clean HVAC filter. These details might be small, but it communicates to the inspector that you’ve taken care of your home.
