If you are a homeowner who is selling your property, then your main goal after receiving a sales contract is to get to the closing table as quickly as possible. After signing some papers, your buyer will get on with the home inspection. You may think that a home inspection is just a speed bump on the road to closing, but if you are not prepared, a home inspection report can jeopardize your sale. There are some home maintenance problems that an inspector might find that you are not even aware of. Even a recently built property will still have a few defects that need repair. So before you open the door and welcome your buyer’s home inspector, here’s a list of prep work you can do for a satisfactory report.
1) Turn It All On
If you are expecting a home inspector, make sure that all the gas, electric, and water utilities are turned on, and that gas pilot lights are lit. If you overlook turning these on, the home inspector will have to reschedule checking your place and you will end up with a frustrated buyer!
2) Replace Dead Alarm Batteries
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to find out if these are functioning properly. Remember to replace any dead batteries, because if you don’t the inspector will note these down as non-functional.
3) Clean Out Filters
Air conditioning and heating systems in the home should be in top shape before the inspector arrives. You should clean or replace the filter if it is dirty, and make sure that it is secured in place.
4) Do Some Trimming
Trim bushes away from the walls of the house and dangling tree limbs away from the roof. Bushes and branches are potential causes for roof damage, so it would be better if these are not included in the home inspection report.
5) Replace Burned-Out Light Fixtures
Check every room in your home for burned-out or missing light fixtures. Your buyer’s home inspector will not troubleshoot lights that don’t work. He or she will simply note the fixtures as non-functional.
6) Clear the Path for the Home Inspector
To help speed up the home inspection process, you should make sure that the inspector will be able to access critical areas easily. For example, you can move any furniture pieces that block electrical panels, water heaters, crawl spaces and HVAC equipment. You should also unlock storage closets, fence gates and other areas that the inspector will check out. If you have a lot of stored items around the attic hatch opening, you should clear that area for access. You should also remove any vehicles in the garage for the home inspection if you have an automatic garage door operator. The inspector will not be able to test the pressure-activated garage door stop with a vehicle in the garage.
7) Take Care of Minor Repairs
If you have the budget for it, you should address minor repairs needed in your home. You could replace faulty doorknobs and locks, fix damaged windowpanes or screens, or clean clogged gutters and downspouts. Taking care of these minor maintenance issues can go a long way and contribute to a positive inspection report.
It’s normal to be curious and a little anxious about what your buyer’s inspector might find, but if you follow these tips, you will reduce the chances of getting a negative report and get on with finalizing the sale!
If your home has a lot of maintenance issues that make it difficult to find a buyer, then consider selling to Blue Hen Homebuyers. We buy Jacksonville, NC houses in any condition! Call us at 910-802-2222 and we will get back to you within 48 hours.