Have you decided to sell your home?
The process of moving can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re relocating to a new city. That’s because there’s so much to do, including selling your current house, buying a new one, packing all your stuff, and hiring a moving company to make the relocation process as stress-free as possible.
In order to sell your current home, you’ll need to understand how to prepare for a home inspection. But what exactly does this mean? Here we take a look at how to prepare for a home inspection as a seller so that you can attract as many potential buyers as possible. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Is a Home Inspection Necessary?
Let’s start by discussing why a homeowner needs to have their house inspected while their home is under contract.
The key thing to understand is the fact that potential buyers need to have a clear picture of the condition of the home. Why? Well, because every aspect of the house will help determine the actual property value.
For example, if your house has severe plumbing problems or requires extensive structural repair, these are things the buyers will have to fix themselves, thus they’ll likely be unwilling to pay the full asking price.
This of course depends on the current real estate market in your area and the demand for homes. In these types of situations, when it’s a seller’s market, a buyer might be willing to pay more in spite of the need for repairs or renovation.
Regardless of the current state of the real estate market, paying for a home inspection is an important part of selling a home.
Who Will Perform the Home Inspection?
Now that you’ve made the decision for the buyer to get a home inspection, who do you hire for the job?
First of all, it’s important to understand that not just anyone can perform a home inspection. A home inspector must be certified by the state where you live, and certification varies from state to state. In fact, some states are more regulated than others and require licensure.
Becoming a licensed home inspector can be a complicated process that includes a training process, working under a home inspector for one year, and then completing a licensing exam.
Keep in mind that The American Society of Home Inspectors maintains a code of ethics and must submit inspector reports to the ASHI for verification.
Who Is Responsible for Paying for a Home Inspection?
When it’s time to hire a certified home inspector, who is responsible for paying for the inspection?
If you’re the seller, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that the buyer is responsible for paying for the home inspection in most cases. This is due to the simple fact that a seller paying for the inspection could be viewed as a conflict of interest.
Thus the buyer can hire the home inspector of their choice so that the inspection process will be as unbiased and honest as possible.
How to Prep the Interior of Your Home
Now let’s look at the areas of the interior of your home that require the most attention prior to the home inspection.
First of all, you need to clean your house from top to bottom. This is an essential part of making a good impression on the home inspector. Keep in mind that the little things make a big difference, such as replacing any bulbs that are out, making sure all toilets run properly, and the furnace has a clean filter. These details might not seem like a big deal, but they will show the home inspector that you keep the house in proper running order.
You should also clean your stove and love, organize any storage in the attic and basement, and make sure the access points in your crawl space are clear.
Next, caulk around all sinks, bathtubs, and showers, clean the toilets, remove clogs, replace batteries in your smoke detectors, and make sure the ductwork is intact.
How to Prep the Exterior of Your Home
Don’t forget about the exterior of your home. After all, curb appeal is crucial to making a positive impression.
You’d be wise to repair cracks in the driveway, update your landscaping, trim overhanging tree branches, remove debris from the roof, and replace any missing shingles.
Next, be sure to clean your gutters, mow the lawn, clear the perimeter of the house so that the home inspector can access everything, and make sure all exterior doors open and close and that all locks work properly.
It’s also important to make sure that all the breakers in your breaker box are correctly labeled. Test each breaker to ensure they work, and clear the area around the breaker box so it can be easily accessed.
Leave Specific Notes
If there’s any specific information you want the home inspector to know, leave any notes, paperwork, keys, or drawings that will help them find what they need. Keep in mind that making their job easier always works to your advantage.
Tips for How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
It’s no secret that relocating can be an incredibly exciting experience, and yet it can also be stressful. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to prepare for a home inspection so that you have one less detail to worry about.
Please contact us today to learn how our team of real estate professionals can help you sell your current home or find the home of your dreams.
