Home Inspections: A Checklist

A very important part of helping a client sell a home is making sure that home inspections are up to par – if a home fails inspection, especially in a big category, there will likely be no willing buyers. Before scheduling a home inspection, there are a few key ideas to keep in mind:

1. Examine large and important appliances.

It is important for clients to arrange service appointments before a home can be sold, especially for appliances such as the furnace and central air conditioning. It is also important to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly before the inspection happens.

2. Fix small damages.

In addition to the big stuff, it is also important to make sure that any wear-and-tear is taken care of. Ideally, a home should look as new as possible before it is sold. A client may be turned off by a cracked driveway, ripped wallpaper, or damaged shingles. These are easy-fixes, but something that a buyer might not want to spend time fixing on their own after buying a new house – it is best for a seller to do this beforehand, before a buyer decides to move their interests to another home.

3. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

The most important part of an inspection is the preparation for it. If a client allows for ample time to fix issues before inspection day, then everything should go smoothly. Essentially, just make sure that everything is up-to-date and working as efficiently as possible before the inspector arrives. It is also a good idea to make sure that every part of the house is easily accessible (i.e. provide keys if needed, make sure pets are outside or in a crate, and move clutter out of the way.) This way, the inspector will be able to easily conduct their assessment, without anything getting in the way or possibly hindering the outcome.