The value of a professional home inspection has been demonstrated time after time. But you can make your own home inspection go more smoothly and deliver better results with a little preparation.
• Clean up. Of course, the inspector is not there to judge your housekeeping, but they are human. A cleaner home makes it easier for the inspector to focus on structure and operations.
• Have utilities ready to go. The home inspector will want to test all the appliances for functionality. Make sure they are all still connected, power is on, and water is running at the time of your home inspection appointment.
• Provide access. Your inspector will need to get into the attic, basement, garage, and any outbuildings on the property. Make sure there is a clear path to each of these areas, and that all parts of your home are unlocked for easy access.
• Pack up the pets. A busy inspector doesn’t need to have kitty underfoot or worry about pets that might want to protect their territory.
• Allow some space. If potential homebuyers are on site with the home inspector, give them plenty of privacy so they can feel free to have open discussions. If at all possible, take the family out for a movie or some other activity that may take several hours.
While a home inspection report can mainly be of interest to home buyers, it can be of benefit to you, especially if the inspection is done prior to putting your home on the market. To make the most of this opportunity, follow these suggestions:
• Study the report and identify those things that are most likely to concern a potential homebuyer.
• Decide whether you want to make pricing adjustments or repairs. If you simply don’t want to go through any repairs yourself, get repair estimates in advance and let potential buyers know you will adjust the price accordingly. This is particularly important with expensive repairs such as the need for a new roof.
• Buyers will be particularly concerned about any item that could indicate a health hazard, such as furnace leaks and asbestos, so consider correcting those problems first.
• Keep handy all the paperwork and receipts for any and all repairs performed after the inspection; this will assure potential buyers that you have already handled the problems a home inspection may address.
• Remember, no home is perfect. Don’t worry too much if your home comes up short in small ways. The important thing is that you have a professional, written report that gives a complete description on your home’s condition.
