Top 12 Easy Fixes Before Home Inspection

Congratulations, you finally have a contract on your house! You have successfully jumped one hurdle, but another big one is headed your way – the home inspection. Some sellers look around and don’t see anything really wrong with their house, so they are quite surprised when they get a huge list of requested repairs as a result of the inspection.

You and I see our houses every day, but an inspector comes in with a fresh set of eyes trained to look for specific things. While some of these items don’t seem like a big deal, an inspector is required to report them if not in proper working condition. A long list like this may send a message to the buyer that your house has not been well-maintained. Here’s a list of easy fixes you should address before putting your house on the market, and especially before the inspection:

1. Replace batteries in all smoke detectors.
2. Replace missing or broken switch and outlet cover plates.
3. Repair leaky faucets.
4. Tighten loose doorknobs.
5. Repair or replace outdoor weather stripping.
6. Caulk doors and windows at the exterior brick or siding.
7. Replace damaged or missing window screens.
8. Replace broken window seals in doors and windows.
9. Replace burned out light bulbs.
10. Secure loose hand and stair railings.
11. Patch holes and cracks in walls and ceilings – then repaint.
12. Replace heating & A/C filters.

It’s always best to take care of these deferred maintenance items before the house goes on the market. And don’t forget the lawn – curb appeal is extremely important and is the potential buyer’s first impression.