Joshua You may be nervous as a seller about the upcoming inspection of your home. There are some things you can prepare for to make the process go more smoothly. We asked home inspection experts ranging from Houston to Miami for their best advice. Here are the top tips they have for sellers to prepare for an inspection.
Hire a Professional
Hiring a reputable and professional Home Inspection in Claremont is the first step to preparing for a home assessment.
Do not Leave the House while it is being Inspected
Be prepared to leave the house at least for three hours in order to allow for the inspection. Buyers may be present at the time of the inspection, and they might feel uncomfortable asking any questions if there is a seller present. You may not be able to remove the animals from the house, so make sure that they are secured in a crate or other way.
Declutter and Clean
Keep the house clean and clear of anything that might block the access to your attic.
It is important that the house be clean, well-organized, and easily accessible. The ability to test or inspect various systems in the home is greatly affected by the presence of personal items, furniture, and stored items. Are the dishes in the sink? Moving boxes are blocking the access to the water heater and air conditioner in the garage. Access issues can reflect poorly on an inspection report, and may also have a negative effect on a buyer.
De-clutter as much of your home as you can before the inspection. Clutter and grime can turn buyers and inspectors off.
Replace Light Bulbs
Before the inspection, replace all light bulbs that are dead inside and outside. Replace low-wattage bulbs with brighter lights before the inspection. Bright lights can also make your home look better. Inspection
Remember Safety Hazards
We often find that basic safety features such as carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are overlooked when inspecting houses. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, preferably brand new, should be installed in hallways and bedrooms. If these items are not in order, it can be a sign that the house hasn’t been maintained well. This can lead to the property being deemed a “Safety Hazard” and potentially scare away buyers.
GFI protection issues are a frequent problem I see in older homes. GFI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (also called GFCI), is a type electrical outlet that protects you and your family from electrical shock. They can save lives and are needed in areas where there is water or the possibility of it, such as outside, near the washing machine, and in garages, even if no plumbing exists.
Remove Animals from the Home
Don’t leave your pets inside the house during the inspection.
Clear Access
Ensure that all crawlspace and attic entry points are unlocked or free of obstructions so we don’t have to declare them as “not-inspected”. We may also have to return to the area to inspect it, which will cost more.
All utilities must be on and pilot lights lit. There should also be clear access to electrical panels, water heaters, access panels for attics, etc. If these items are not in place, it is likely that the inspection will need to be rescheduled and could delay the closing.
Remove any vegetation which may block access to the outside of your home.
Look out for Mold
Mold inspections are a part of the home inspection that is more specialized. Together, they give the buyer a better picture of the state of the property. It’s not just for buyers. Mold and moisture inspections are also an important part of preventative property maintenance. When preparing for a moisture and mold investigation, it’s best to have the property in a stable condition. That means windows closed, no vacuuming, all air purifiers/humidifiers/dehumidifiers/free-standing-fans should be switched off for 24-hours prior to an inspection.
You can use mold-killing primer to touch up small areas of mold before selling. If you are experiencing more severe mold problems, you will need to hire a certified inspector who can investigate the problem and offer you a solution. The buyer might be willing to cover the cost of mold mitigation during the negotiations phase of the sale.
Look for white growths or hazy coatings on the floor joists of crawlspace houses. Aspergillus is a mold that produces toxic substances.