Expert Tips for Successful Home Inspections

I’ve often spoken to Realtor groups and sellers during pre-inspections about easy ways to make a home inspection go faster and more successfully. Many of them center around items that make the job easier, safer and more pleasant for all parties. Here are a few tips to the seller that I have gathered in my 13 years of experience: -- If you can avoid it, don’t be home. I’ve literally watched sellers talk buyers out of the purchase. I can say homeowners present have occasionally been helpful, but more often they have been a hindrance. -- If you will be home know that home inspectors often arrive earlier than the appointment start time. It’s normal, don’t panic. We do this so we can be set up and ready to begin when the buyer and their Realtor arrives. Don't worry, we won't come inside the house until our appointment begins. -- Being nice seems obvious enough, but over the years we’ve encountered some really grouchy sellers. Please know that we represent an essential part of the process, and that we’re objective. In other words, the house speaks for itself. Letting us do our jobs in a pleasant, non-confrontational environment will only add to the chances of a more successful outcome. -- If you know something helpful, leave a note. For example, the location of something hard to find like an electrical panel behind a painting in your hallway. Or, that the well runs out in 10 minutes! -- Secrets are fun in mystery novels, not so much on home inspections. It’s always better to disclose, rather than having an inspector find, an obviously concealed defect. In fact, we have seen over and over again that failing to disclose is the greatest way to lose a buyer. It just breeds distrust -- what else are they trying to hide? -- Change all blown light bulbs. -- Don’t pump the septic – it’s a red flag to a home inspector. We want to see it performing in its normal state. -- Easy access is important to everybody! Closets jammed with belongings that contain the attic hatch; living rooms full of furniture that need to be moved to roll back a carpet over a crawlspace hatch; boxes of belongings stacked to the ceiling, and/or benches, tables, vehicles or appliances in front of electrical panels; attics and boiler rooms so full of belongings that one cannot enter; washing machines full of dirty underwear that have to be emptied to test, etc. All these things contribute to longer home inspections; increase the chances of soiled or broken personal belongings; annoy the home inspector and clients, and generally reflect a lack of concern for the buyer’s experience. -- Don’t feel the need to clean before we come. Sure tidy up, but don’t wash floors on our account. Clean afterwards. -- Help yourself. If you own something truly valuable that occupies a place where we or the buyers or their kids may come into contact with it, please put it away. $50,000 rug? Roll it up. Seriously. -- Lastly the inspection will take one hour more than you think it will. Plan accordingly. Need an Inspection? Call 888-801-7111. www.pillartopost-fairfield.com