Maximizing Your Home Sale: Essential Tips and Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers

The process of buying or selling a house can be stressful and complex. Home Inspection is one of the most crucial steps in the process. A home inspection includes a thorough evaluation of the condition of a home, including its electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems. Sellers can opt to perform a pre-inspection before the buyer arranges for an inspection. Pre-inspections are a great way to identify problems with a home before it is put on the market.

Why Do You Need A Pre-Inspection Of Your Home?

This builds trust among buyers and helps the seller to avoid lengthy negotiations. The home will sell faster. The pre-listing report can also help sellers identify issues which, if addressed before listing their home, could increase its value.

Pre-inspections can be beneficial to the seller on several levels.

• Identify Problems: Pre-inspections can help identify issues before the house is put on the market. By addressing these issues prior to a buyer’s inspection, you can avoid surprises that may lower the price of the home or derail it altogether.

• Reducing Liability: By disclosing issues up front, the seller is able to reduce their liability. This will help them avoid legal issues in the future.

• Increase Buyer Convince: Providing a pre inspection report can increase buyer trust and demonstrate transparency. This could lead to a quicker sale.

What Are The Main Things That Home Inspectors Check For?

The following are the areas that home inspectors usually check:

• Structural Features: The inspector checks the foundation, walls and floors for signs of wear or damage.
• Electrical: The Inspector will inspect the electrical panel, wires, outlets, and lighting fixtures to check for safety hazards or outdated systems.
• Plumbing: The inspector will inspect for leaks and check the water pressure and condition of fixtures and pipes. The inspector will also check the sump pump and water heater.
• HVAC: Inspector will check HVAC system including furnace, air conditioner, and ductwork. The inspector will also inspect the ventilation.
• Appliances: The inspector will check all appliances including the dishwasher, garbage disposal, stove, refrigerator and more.

The specific items that are inspected will vary depending on your region, and how the inspector approaches the inspection. The inspector’s role is to inspect your home to look for signs of defects.

Checklist For Home Sellers To Prepare For An Inspection

USA home inspections suggests that a great way to maximize your home’s sale is by having it ready for an inspection in advance. This includes addressing any problems before listing the property. This includes fixing leaks, ensuring ventilation, making windows and doors work properly, and checking that all appliances and system are working properly. It’s also important to know the USA home inspection procedure and be ready to negotiate with potential buyers any repairs that are needed.

It can be daunting to prepare for a home inspector, but by using the right checklist, you can make sure that your house is in perfect condition. Include these items in your seller’s Home Inspection in Brantford ON checklist:

1. De-clutter and clean all areas

• De-clutter and clean all rooms including closets, storage areas and other areas.
• Cleaning your furnace, stove and oven.
• Remove any clutter from all rooms.
• Supreme Inspectors suggests that making your home look more attractive can create a good impression during an inspection. This includes cleaning your home and decluttering it, painting the walls and adding decorative touches.

2. Clear the inspector’s access points

• All access points, such as the crawl space, basement, electrical panel and attic, should be easily accessible.
• Trim back all vegetation and shrubs to leave at least 6 inches around your home’s perimeter.
• One of the most important tasks in preparing for a home inspector is to ensure that your roof is in good shape.

3. Test all the items that your inspector will be checking

• Check locks and seals at all entry points to the home, such as windows and doors.
• Make sure all sources of water are working, such as faucets and toilets.
• Ascertain that ceiling and bathroom fans are working.
• Check that your light switches are working.
• Check the reverse safety setting by manually opening and closing the garage door and using the remote.
• Check the weather stripping of doors to ensure it is intact and functional.
• Make sure that the downspouts divert water away from your home.
• Verify that the heating ducts in your crawlspace are connected.
• Verify that the fan ducts vent correctly from the attic.

4. Check all utility services

• Look for leaks in your plumbing system, including the sinks and water heater.
• Check that your water heater performs properly. The temperature of the hot water should be between 118 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check that all visible electrical wiring and the fuse box are in good working order.
• Make sure that the visible ductwork and air filters are in good shape.
• Service your HVAC system is another crucial step. This includes cleaning the ducts and changing the air filters. A professional can also inspect and service your HVAC system.

5. Take safety and security measures

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and cover gas lines or entry points to chimneys.
• Exterminate rodents or bugs.
• “Termites are also a problem, so you should check for signs of infestation,” explains Supreme Inspectors. Look for mud tubes and damaged wood. Also, look out for piles of sawdust. It’s important to get a professional termite inspection and treatment if you suspect you may have termites.

6. If necessary, make repairs

• Replace your light bulbs
• Re-caulk bathtubs and sinks.
• Replace cracked or damaged tiles.
• Remove any clogs in the drains and repair any water damage.
• Replace cracked or torn windows and screens, and update any grout that is dingy.
• Install new roofing or replace damaged insulation in your attic, crawlspace and crawlspace.
• Sweep the debris from the roof. (Pressure wash the roof if necessary) Trim any trees near the roof or that hang over it.
• Clear debris around the foundation vents, A/C compressor and downspout drainage.

7. Prepare certain items to show your inspector

• Take your pets along with you and leave an hour earlier than usual.
• Keep remotes and keys for electrical boxes, gates, outbuildings and garage doors.
• Be sure that all utilities are turned on.
• Remove the dishes and laundry from the dishwasher and sink.
• Keep a sketch of the well or septic system and any paperwork related to maintenance, repairs or insurance claims.