So, you’re selling a home. You’ve got an interested buyer, but they’d like to have a home inspector take a look at your property before they commit. What should you do to prepare, and make sure that the process goes smoothly? In this quick guide, we’ll discuss some of our top tips for sellers before home inspections. Let’s get started.
1. Tidy Up As Much As You Can
Check the exterior of your home, as well as the roof, garage, kitchens, utility rooms, and other such areas to make sure that the inspector will have access to all of the systems that they must check.
Take special care to clear away stuff from major home systems like furnaces, HVAC units, utility closets, and other such areas that the inspector must examine closely.
While you do this, you can also look for any signs that something may be wrong with your property, and make minor repairs as necessary.
2. Be On Time
If the home inspector says they’ll be there at 9:00 am, they’ll be there at 9:00 am – so make sure you’re dressed, prepared, showered, and ready to greet them in the morning. They’re professionals, and they will be there on time – you don’t want to delay them because you weren’t prepared for their arrival.
3. Provide Access To All Garages, Outbuildings, Etc.
Home inspectors will typically examine all buildings on your property, including garages and other such outbuildings, such as “granny flats” or other detached units, so you’ll need to provide them with keys, garage door openers, or door codes for these units.
In addition, if you have a sprinkler system or other systems that have electrical panel boxes or other utility boxes, leave keys and instructions for unlocking them, to ensure that the inspector has access, and can inspect them.
4. Furnish The Inspector With Relevant Documents
It’s a good idea to make paperwork regarding remodeling projects available to inspectors, in addition to documentation about major repairs and upgrades such as a new furnace, HVAC system, roof, plumbing, and so forth.
This documentation will aid the inspector when they create their report, and help give the buyer more peace of mind, as they will have a more clear idea of when each major component of the home was last inspected, repaired, or replaced.
5. Get Out Of The House (For At Least Three Hours)
The buyer will usually accompany the home inspector during the examination, and will ask them questions during the process. That means they may be uncomfortable if you’re hanging around your house, so plan to have something to do while the inspection is completed. Head to the gym and get some errands done, go see a movie, schedule a coffee date with a friend – whatever sounds good! Then, head back once the inspection is complete.
Ensure Your Home Inspection Goes Smoothly With These Tips
If you follow these tips, the home inspection process is sure to go off without a hitch. If you have other questions – or you’d like to schedule your own home inspection before buyers look at your home, feel free to contact Key Inspection Services, or schedule your appointment today!
This article was originally published on Spectora