As a seller, preparing for a home inspection can indeed be nerve-wracking and worrisome. Questions and concerns about the inspections process from both the buyer and selling side of transactions arise. Sellers often ask what can they do to ensure a smooth home inspection. After all, in this market getting your home under contract is a huge step, so they don’t want to lose out on that buyer.
As a seller it’s better to be proactive to fix what you can, because lets face it, you are going to find out about it anyway! Knowledge is power they say right?! Here are 10 steps to help ease those nerves, eliminate surprises and ensure a smoother process:
1) Get a pre-listing inspection.
We often encourage this but it is not always completed. Getting a pre listing inspection can put you ahead of the game on major issues. While some issues can be spotted through a DIY inspection, many require professional expertise. These prelisting inspections may include general, pool and plumbing inspections (especially on a slab home). Getting a pre-listing inspection does not mean you will have to fix every little thing but it will mean you will have to disclose somethings you chose not to fix.
2) Clean and service your HVAC.
Although this should be done twice a year but it often goes forgotten about until you have a problem. Competing ahead of time and showing a clean bill of health can ease a potential buyer’s mind. Keep all records and provide to your real estate agent any invoices, documentation, and HVAC company information.
3) Check switches, light bulbs and outlets.
By this I mean – something simple as flipping all switches to make sure all your light bulbs work and plugging your phone charger in to make sure all outlets work. Side note – Often in home inspections, GFCI outlets come up. They are needed on all exterior outlets and in bathrooms and kitchen within 3 feet of water. So If you know you don’t have them, consider making this inexpensive change. It may be a good idea to get your electrician to come out, clean up your panel and check that the GFCI requirements are met.
4) Open and close windows. Clean gutters or roof.
If you know they aren’t already painted shut (common in older NOLA homes) open and close your windows. If your gutters are full or your roof is holding leaves, it is a good idea to clean those out if it’s easily done.
5) Clean up caulking and grout.
Checking interior and exterior windows and grout. Caulk in the bathrooms can make your home appear a lot cleaner and maintained. You may not think buyer will see this because you don’t notice it due to everyday use but they will.
6) Check for peeling paint and rotten wood.
Take a walk around your home’s exterior and check for peeling paint and rotten wood on decking, window & door frames and soffits. It this is something that needs to be cleaned up, do it now before listing. Check behind furniture and around windows inside. Depending on the type of loan your buyer gets (for example a FHA loan), this may need to be done to ensure the loan goes through.
7) Check the fireplace.
If you have one, check it! We don’t use fireplaces often in NOLA but an inspector will light gas logs or check the flute to ensure its working. If you have a fireplace key, make sure your real estate agent knows where it is located.
8) Have pool equipment checked.
If you have a pool, have someone come inspect the equipment, especially if you haven’t done this in a while. Checking valves, pressure, lights etc. Chances are a major reason someone is buying your home is for the pool, so make sure it is in proper working order because a buyer will most likely ask for repairs in a home inspection.
9) Make attics and garages accessible.
You don’t have to completely clean it out but if you have shoved stuff up there since you moved in, you will have to move it eventually. Start now so the inspector has full access to your attic and garage for inspections.
10) Leave instructions or notes for the inspector.
If something is quirky, or may be different, let your agent know or leave a note for the inspector. Example – often a light switch will control an outlet in the living room. I’ve had an inspector mark the outlet and switch as inoperable just because he didn’t think to check them together. If you have remotes for fans or fireplaces etc, leave those out too.
Remember that the inspection is part of the homebuying process. Address any significant issues transparently and negotiate repair requests as needed. By following these 10 steps, you’ll be better prepared for the home inspection, and it’ll be a smoother experience for both buyers and sellers. Have any questions, reach out to us at sold@brunoswift.com
