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Preparing Your Home for Inspection

By
Real Estate Agent with Right at Home Realty Inc., Brokerage

When you are selling your home, the one thing that you should be prepared for is the home inspection.  Be aware ahead of time of any serious problems that may cause your home to be rejected and be prepared to deal with it.

 

Have any past renovations damaged the structure of your home?  Is there damage from insects or rodents?  The condition of your foundation, support beams and joists is important.

 

What is the condition of your electrical system?  If it is less than 60 amp the buyer may reject the home.  Be aware that insurance companies do not like to insure a home with 60 amp service.  Any electrical problems should be fixed by a licensed electrician before your home goes on the market.Deck

 

Are there any leaks in the home?  Is there dampness in the basement?  These are huge issues to the buyer.  Check under your sinks, dishwasher, along ceilings and floors for water damage and have it repaired.

 

Make sure any loose railings or damaged curbs are repaired.  Anything that could be a safety issue should be fixed.  Even handrails on stairways should be installed and/or tightened.

 

Make sure your plumbing fixtures are in good working order.  Repair dripping taps and running toilets, fix grout around tubs, and clean clogged drains. 

 

Get your furnace cleaned and your air conditioning checked.  This can be a big issue with buyers.

 

The last thing you want after you have a signed offer is for the deal to fall through because the inspector has found problems the buyer can’t live with or will scare off a nervous buyer.  You want to feel confident that the inspection will pass.

Posted by

Gail Fabiani, Sales Representative

 

Gails Picture

Right at Home Realty, Inc., Brokerage, 920 Brant Street, Unit #5 Burlington, ON

905-637-1700

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www.burlingtonhomes4sale.com

Comments (5)

Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference

Thank you for alerting your clients to the aspects of a home that will be inspected. If the sellers do not disclose what is wrong, rest assured a quality home inspector will find the issues. Home inspectors are not there to "kill the deal". We are there to help clients make an informed decision, just as you do the same for them in being their agent. We are all pieces of the puzzle and must work together.  Have a great day! :)

Nov 08, 2011 04:52 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

I think a pre list home inspection is so important for today's home seller - I often recommend it to my home staging  clients when I note things that may look like problem beyond the scope of what I can recommend for staging. Items not fixed that are caught on the inspection can actually break a deal - I'd rather know and correct these things than not get the deal done!

Nov 08, 2011 04:59 AM
Gail Fabiani
Right at Home Realty Inc., Brokerage - Burlington, ON

Thanks, it is important.  Another Realtor just told me an offer on her listing just fell through because of the electrical.  It was okay, but not updated enough for fussy buyers.

Nov 08, 2011 05:57 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Karen is right. We stagers pick up on things as we do our consults. As you point out Gail, it's better to go on the market with a sound product rather than have things fall apart at the end and have to start over.

Nov 08, 2011 05:59 AM