Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Preparing your home is one of the most time-consuming and frustrating aspects of selling your home. Along with getting and keeping your home in showroom condition, don't forget to consider the home inspection that will come after you accept an offer. Preparing your home ahead of time can help ensure a painless inspection and make closing day feel that much closer. This can also help make the selling process a lot faster.
Make Plans For A Few Hours
Ideally, you should have plans to not be home while the inspector is there. The inspector will be better able to perform his or her job without the homeowner present. If you are home, at least find someone to watch kids and pets. Keep in mind the inspector will likely arrive about 30 minutes ahead of the appointment time to set up.
Easy Access To The Crawlspace And Attic
If applicable, make sure the inspector can find and access the crawlspace and attic hatches. This means clearing away any furniture or items that may block the entrance, especially if the hatch is in a closet. That way you can help make the inspector’s job a lot easier and save time.
Have Your HVAC System Tuned Up
The inspector will test your appliances as well as major systems in your home. One of the most important is your HVAC system, which will likely be high on the inspector and buyer's lists. You can ensure it's in good working order ahead of time with an affordable tune-up. Different companies can inspect and tune-up your HVAC system to make sure there are no hidden problems that can come back to bite you during an inspection.
Check For Blown Light Bulbs
It's helpful to go through your home and replace any light bulbs that have blown. The inspector will need to check that each fixture and outlet works and this will make their job much easier. This also can help add to the overall look and feel of your home. Everyone likes more light.
Clean Thoroughly
Return the home to showroom condition, just as when potential buyers were walking through for showings. According to Realtor.com, this will give your home the impression that it's well cared for and the inspector won't expect to find as many issues.
Remember: you don't want an inspector checking your home for issues while getting frustrated by moving your furniture or searching high and low for the crawlspace hatch. While a home inspection can be nerve-wracking as a seller, these steps can make the process a bit easier and may reduce the issues the inspector turns up.
About the author: Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. Kara recommends looking into companies like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric for more information on how to prep your home for an inspection.
