Before putting your home on the market or undergoing a professional inspection, it's essential to ensure that your property is in its best possible condition. By properly preparing your home for inspection, you can increase its appeal, address potential issues, and facilitate a smooth inspection process. Here, we will describe how to prepare your home for an inspection and ensure you get the price you want for your home sale.
1. Clear Clutter and Organize:
This by far is the most important part to prepare for a home inspection. Start by decluttering and organizing your home. Remove any unnecessary items, personal belongings, and excess furniture that can obstruct the inspector's access to essential areas. This includes moving all furniture away from the wall. The garage is a common area for storage when moving, HOWEVER, that is usually where the electrical panel, water heater, and attic access are located. If you must store items, do so strategically and away from walls and important inspection areas.
An unclean/not-ready house attracts a different kind of buyer. Normally a flipper, investor, or bulldozer. As inspectors, we understand you may be in the process of moving, but don't let a few boxes be the reason that your deal falls through. Clearing the clutter not only allows for a more thorough inspection but also helps create a clean and helps you get the best value for your home.
2. Repair Minor Issues:
Address any minor repairs that can affect the inspection process or give a negative impression to potential buyers. Caulk areas that need it, fix leaky faucets, repair loose doorknobs, replace damaged weatherstripping, and patch any visible holes in walls. These small repairs demonstrate that your home has been well-cared for and can instill confidence in the inspector and potential buyers. Taking care of these small matters shows your dedication and helps create a favorable perception of your home.
Depending on the market/ buyer, they may not be the "do it yourself" type. These types of buyers usually price repairs based on contractor pricing. Now all those small issues cost more to get an actual professional to perform repairs. It's important to consider that the buyer may come up with a list of repairs and expect the seller to perform those repairs anyways.
3. Check Electrical and Plumbing:
Inspect the electrical and plumbing systems in your home to identify any issues that may arise during the actual home inspection. Test all outlets, and light switches, and replace burnt-out light bulbs, and fixtures to ensure they are working properly. Look for any visible leaks or signs of water damage around pipes and faucets. Fixing these issues beforehand can prevent delays and unfavorable inspection findings.
It is the little details that matter and water leaks that go unrepaired, make the buyer question the full extent of the damage. This is always a red flag for buyers.
4. Service Air-Conditioner Systems:
In Texas, this is probably the most cared-about item for all home buyers in Texas. Have your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems serviced by a professional. Clean or replace air filters, remove dust buildup, and ensure that the system is functioning efficiently. A well-maintained AC system indicates proper care and can contribute to a positive inspection outcome.
5. Check Safety Features:
Inspect and test all safety features in your home, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Replace batteries in smoke detectors if necessary and ensure that all safety equipment is in good working condition. Checking the condition of all stairs, steps, and railings is important. Writing up these safety items are required in Texas and your inspector is going to be looking out for items that affect the occupant's safety.
This one also depends on the type of loan the home buyer is working under, they could be using FHA or VA loan. In these types of loans, mortgage lenders and insurance providers require the home to be in a certain condition before they approve a loan. When it comes to safety features, we have heard of these mortgage lenders denying home loans due to very minor safety items. Sometimes they may approve a loan base on certain terms, like that the safety item is addressed within a certain time period, then that particular item gets re-inspected.
6. Provide Access:
Make sure all areas of your home are easily accessible for the inspector. Clear pathways to the attic, crawl spaces, electrical panels, and other key areas that need inspection. If necessary, remove obstacles such as stored items or furniture to allow the inspector to conduct a thorough examination.
If an inspector cannot get into an area, they inform their clients. Now those systems are in question and give the buyer a reason to worry. Often re-inspections are required and those cost an additional fee.
7. Gather Documentation:
Compile any relevant documentation and maintenance records for your home. This may include receipts for recent repairs, warranties for appliances, and records of any major renovations or upgrades. Whatever proof you have! Having these documents on hand can help address any questions or concerns raised during the inspection. Home buyers notice this attention to detail.
Conclusion:
By following these comprehensive steps to prepare your home for inspection, you can ensure a smooth and successful process. Taking the time to declutter, clean, address minor repairs, and maintain essential systems demonstrates your commitment to maintaining your property and can positively impact the inspection outcome. Remember, a well-prepared home not only impresses inspectors but also increases buyer confidence and enhances the overall selling experience.
About TruGuard Inspections: At TruGuard Inspections, we take pride in delivering top-quality home inspection services to clients throughout the DFW Metroplex. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing thorough and detailed inspections, utilizing the latest tools and technology to ensure no aspect of the property goes unnoticed. Whether it's a buyer's home inspection, seller's inspection, new construction inspection, 11-month warranty inspection, or thermal inspection using infrared cameras, you can rely on us to provide honest and insightful assessments for informed decision-making. Check out our website to learn about all the services we offer.