How to Prepare as a Seller for a Home Inspection

So you are ready to sell your home – you found the perfect agent, have staged and prepared your home for viewing, marketed to and attracted buyers, received competitive offers, and accepted the best offer – it’s time to close the deal. But there is one more step – the home inspection.

Knowing how to prepare for a home inspection is vital when you’re the seller – so you can help the process proceed smoothly and without unnecessary delays.

At Checkup Property Inspections, we would like share some insider tips and advice to you prepare for inspection day.  Let’s start with some basics.

1 – What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a visual inspection performed on behalf of a buyer. The inspector looks for any safety, health, and mechanical issues that don’t meet your state’s standards or the buyer’s lender requirements.

2- What do home inspectors look for?

A professional, certified and insured home inspector, such as Checkup Property Inspections, thoroughly inspects and reports on the following:

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS – Foundations, grading and drainage, basements, walkways, and floor, wall and ceiling structures.

ROOFING – Roof coverings, drainage systems, flashings and skylights, chimneys and other roof penetrations.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS – Service entrance and panels, branch circuits, connected devices and fixtures, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and making sure your outlets are GFCI-protected.

PLUMBING – Fixtures and faucets, water supply systems, drain, waste and vent systems, water heater, vents, flues and chimneys, and any sump pumps or fuel storage and distribution systems.

HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS – Heating and cooling equipment, ducts, vents and flues.

APPLIANCES – Dishwasher, garbage disposal, range hood, range or oven, cooktop, microwave, trash compactor, bathroom exhaust fans, garage door operator, and other built-in appliances.

When your home’s systems fail, they can cause a mountain of problems, including electrical fires, unstable foundations, and unsafe living environments. Repairs can be costly for the potential future owners, and can possibly cost you the sale.

When does a home inspection occur during the real estate transaction?

The home inspection is scheduled immediately after a seller accepts an offer. Typically the buyer has seven to 10 days to complete the inspection unless the buyer and seller agree to something different. Smart sellers will have already prepared their home for inspection in advance, sometimes even before they receive the offer.

Who pays for the inspection?

A buyer generally covers the cost of a home inspection. If a seller pays for the inspection, it could be perceived as a conflict of interest, though inspectors are unbiased professionals. Buyers choose their own inspector.

What is an Inspection Contingency?

A home inspection contingency is an out for a buyer to terminate the purchase contract if the home inspection turns up more repair issues than the buyer is willing to bear. A seller has a specific number of days (typically seven to 10) to respond to the buyer’s repair requests. The seller can negotiate how much they’re willing to repair from the report or deduct the cost of repairs from the purchase price. If the seller refuses to budge on repairs or the price, the buyer has the right to walk away from the sale with their earnest money deposit in hand.

To be safe, A seller should consider a pre-listing inspection to get ahead of any needed repairs.

A pre-listing inspection, also known as a pre-sale inspection is a home inspection the seller pays for before listing their home, as the name suggests. The inspection uncovers potential surprise repair issues that could jeopardize the real estate deal.

After a pre-listing inspection, a seller can fix the repair issues before a buyer has the chance to discover them. For example, many buyers would walk away from a home that needs a new furnace. Since some repairs can take from a few weeks to over a month, the seller has the opportunity to get ahead of repairs which can mean a speedier sale.

If you opted out of the pre-sale inspection, reach out to your agent for suggestions as well.

A qualified agent will always do a walk-through inside and out with a seller with clients and suggest important fixes. They will check appliances, run the garbage disposal, test electrical outlets, flush toilets, open and close windows, doors,  turn on the heat and AC, and open and close the garage door as well as check curb appeal items like paved driveways, the lawn, and the condition of your exterior paint.

Then – complete the repairs your pre-listing inspection uncovered or those that your agent recommends.

By tackling repairs that turned up in your pre-listing inspection – or those recommended by your agent to increase curb appeal, you can feel confident about being ready for the buyer’s inspection.

On Inspection Day – Ensure the inspector can access all areas.

Make sure they have access to all areas and systems, including the attic, HVAC, plumbing, electrical panels, and any exterior buildings on your property such as a guest house, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), shed or detached garage, and storage closets. Remove any boxes or contents that could get in the inspector’s way. Keep remotes near items, including fireplaces, lighting fixtures, and ceiling fans.

Don’t forget to trim back shrubs that have grown too close to the house and remove decorative items such as statues, furniture, and fixtures. This will make it easier for the inspector to position a ladder firmly on the ground to inspect the roof.

If the home inspector cannot access an area, they will need to return for a second visit – and this could delay or even cost you the sale.

Don’t Hesitate – schedule your Home Inspection today – and know the playing field when selling a home.

Checkup Property Inspections provides Residential Home Inspections, Mold Testing, Radon Testing, Sewer Scope Inspections, & Water Quality Testing in Castle Rock, Parker, Littleton, Denver, and the surrounding areas. We also can provide well inspections, well flow tests, and potability tests.

All of our inspectors are certified by InterNACHI, the leading home inspection association. We hold each of our inspectors to the highest inspection standards, which are derived from each home inspection association or state standards.

Our promise to you – we will inspect your home as if it were going to be ours. We strive to uphold our reputation for excellent and timely service, high-detail inspection services, and delivering you a home inspection report that gives you the insights you need to make a smart decision.

Reach out to Checkup Property Inspections today.

Call 720-751-7121 to schedule an inspection or book online.