One of the most stressful parts of the home-buying process for both the buyer and the seller is the home inspection. Scheduling and the cost of the inspection are usually the responsibility of the buyer. However, if the inspection reveals major issues, the seller may be the one that has to have the issues fixed or the contract can be dissolved or changed.
What is the Inspector Looking For?
The home inspector will check the following list and more. If issues are found, the seller can make amends or offer the buyer money to fix them for themselves.Heating system
- Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
- Interior plumbing and electrical systems
- Roof and rain gutters
- Attic, including visible insulation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windows and doors
- Foundation
- Basement
- Structural components
During the inspection the inspector could find additional problems concerning…
- Radon
- Termite infestations
- Asbestos
- Lead piping or paint
- Mold
- Water damage
- Other safety issues
A Pre-Inspection Will Give You Time to Fix Any Problems Before It’s Too Late
If you are selling your house, take the initiative and prepare your home by identifying any potential issues by ordering a pre-inspection. That way you will know ahead of time what you need to work on and can let your buyer know that you have already done these things when it is time. You should at least have the home’s HVAC, electric, and plumbing systems checked.
What To Do Before a Home Inspection?
There are some things you can do before a home inspection to help it go more efficiently. First, clean your house. The inspector won’t be looking at the cleanliness of your home but having things clean and tidy will show the inspector that you keep up with daily tasks. After you clean your home, leave the house. The inspector doesn’t need you there. Just make sure that they have access to all areas of your home. The following is a short list of what to do before the Home Inspector arrives…
- Leave all keys (for instance, for your electrical panel), and label where the inspector can find them
- Make sure all pilot lights are on for fireplaces and furnaces, even in summer, so the inspector can check the heating and other appliances
- Tidy your basement. There needs to be an unobstructed path down the steps and through to your furnace/HVAC unit/water heater and anything else that needs inspecting
- Tidy your attic same as your basement
- Clean up key areas in your yard so the inspector can easily access your crawl space, drainage access points, or septic tank
- If the home is vacant and the utilities have been shut off, have them reconnected
Paperwork and Lists Help The Home Inspector
If you have made improvements to your home, leave a list of them for the inspector to see. For example, if you have had a new roof installed in the last few years, state that. Gather all your paperwork. These would be receipts and warranties for anything you have bought or added to the house. Put these in a folder so they are easy to find. Even if you don’t have a pre-inspection on your home, you can still go through your house using a home inspection checklist for yourself. The sale will go faster when you are prepared.
Contact us (859) 979-1508) for a free consultation!
—
About The Real Estate Company
Residential and Multi-family Realty Services for Lexington, Richmond, and Surrounding Areas. We close over 40 million in sales each year. Our love for Central Kentucky and our clients is the key to our success. We provide careful guidance, persistence, and savvy marketing to deliver results for our clients time after time.
> Learn More