Let’s face it, home inspections would be shorter and less painful for all parties if the seller was really ready for the inspector. Homes that are well prepared end up with fewer write ups, a shorter negotiation and buyers that are less worried about surprises.
I have been providing agent the following checklist for a number of years. I am a Texan, so those of you that deal with snow and basements may have a slightly different list, but this should still be of some help.
First things first. Get your attitude right. AN inspector is not an impediment to a transaction. Good inspectors can inform a buyer without threatening your sale. Treat the inspector with respect and he will treat you (and your home) with respect. If you are a jerk, he will wonder why and work his hardest to try to figure out what you have to be so defensive about. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. We have all herd it because it is still true. It always will be. You want the inspector to be as happy and as positive as a prospective buyer.
Starters.
· Clean your house.
· Mow the yard.
· Pick up dog mess from the yard.
· It’s best that pets be removed from the premises during the inspection. Keep in mind that the inspector needs access to the entire home, so the garage and the backyard is not a good idea!
· All utilities on (Electricity, Gas, Water and all Pilots lit ) so the inspector won’t need to return to finish
Exterior
· All exterior doors should be accessible
· All door locks should be operable
· Remove debris from gutters/downspouts
· Trim trees from within 4 feet of the roof slope
· Trim shrubs at least 18 inches away from the foundation
· Lower soil, where possible, to reveal the top 4 inches of foundation
· Insure that the interior of the garage is accessible and that the door and/or opener functions.
Interior
· All interior areas should be generally accessible
· If present, Crawl Space access should be clear
· Remove clutter from utility rooms used for storage
· Attic should be accessible. Make sure the stairs can be pulled down without endangering belongings/people below
· Remove clutter in closets
Electrical
· Electrical Panel needs to be accessible to the inspector. Remove anything blocking the panel for easier access
· To avoid unnecessary write-ups, replace all burned out bulbs.
· Remove “creative wiring” such as extension cords used in attic, interior and exterior.
Plumbing
· Fix any leaks before the inspector arrives or let the inspector know. Otherwise, testing the plumbing could result in a very wet mess.
· Correct any plumbing “alignment” issues, hot should be left or up on all controls.
Heating and Air Conditioning
· Install a clean filter
· Consider having the unit cleaned and serviced especially if it’s been a while
· Maintain all repair invoices
Fireplace/Chimneys
· Especially if has been a while, clean the fire box before the inspection. If you have anything in the fire box that would prevent lighting the fireplace, remove it.
Foundation
· Remove wood, debris or stored items away from the foundation.
Appliances & Systems
· Any appliance or system that is going to stay with the house should be operational or disclosed to the buyer as not operational. This includes all kitchen, bath, yard and garage mechanical systems.
· The control panels for the sprinkler, pools and any other devices must be accessible.
