5 Tips For Getting Ready For A Home Inspection As A Seller
If you are getting ready to put your property up for sale, you will likely have to submit it for a home inspection once you get an offer on the home.
An inspector will inspect your home from a structural and functional standpoint and provide the buyer with information about the home's structure. As a seller, there are things that you can do that will make the inspection easier for the inspector and that will increase your chances of the buyer getting positive feedback about your home.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
The home inspector will be looking all around your home, which is why it is essential to get rid of clutter. They are going to look under your sinks at your plumbing. They are going to check out the electrical box. They will need to look at the water heater and inspect electrical outlets.
The home inspector's job will be a lot easier if you have taken the time to remove clutter from any area they will have to access so that they don't have to move clutter out of the way to get to your stuff. Move anything that will block access to areas of your home that the home inspector needs to look at.
2. Ensure Your Appliances Are Empty
A good home inspector will turn on your appliances, such as your washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, and stove, and ensure that they are working properly. Your job is to ensure that they can use those machines easily. If you tend to store pots and pans inside of your stove, take them out. If you have a load of dry clothing in the dryer, remove it. Ensure that the inspector can easily test out your appliances.
3. Unlock Everything
Next, you need to unlock everything that the inspector will access. You will want to unlock all the doors on the property, such as any gates or doors that restrict access to the crawl space, attic, shed, or garage. You want to make it easy for the home inspector to walk around and access various areas of your home.
4. Be Honest About Flaws
There is no point in trying to hide flaws with your home. If you know that there is an issue with your home, you will want to disclose that information upfront. You may want to disclose that information to the buyer even before the home inspector comes. When the home inspector hears that the dishwasher doesn't work, it isn't a surprise because they already knew that from conversations with you.
5. Share Maintenance Records
If you have had maintenance done on your home in the past few years, be sure to provide that information to the home inspector. That will help the home inspector determine how you have taken care of your home and add to your home inspection benefit.
The home inspection shouldn't reveal a lot of surprises for you or the buyer. Disclose the true condition of your home to the buyer. Provide the home inspector with any relevant maintenance records, clean things up, and ensure easy access to all areas of your home for them.