How can I prep my house to get a better home inspection?

Home inspection is not a pass/fail proposition. Every home, even a brand new one, typically has a few defects that need repair. So you should expect that the inspector will find a few things. But you can reduce the list of defects, and shorten the time required for the inspection, by doing a little prep work beforehand. Here’s our 10-item checklist:
1) Make sure that the electric, gas, and water utilities are on, and gas pilot lights are lit. This may seem obvious, but is sometimes overlooked when the home is not occupied. Utilities off means a rescheduled inspection and an aggravated buyer.
2) Clean or replace the HVAC (air conditioning) filter if it is dirty. Make sure the filter is secured in place (not loose).
3) Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace any dead batteries.
4) Check the installed light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs. Inspectors do not trouble-shoot lights that don’t work, and simply call them out as non-functional.
5) Move any furniture or stored items that block access to the electric panel(s), HVAC equipment, water heater(s), attics and crawl spaces. If extensive stored items around the attic hatch opening prevent access to the rest of the attic, clear an area for access. Also, remove any cars from the garage for the duration of the inspection if the home has an automatic garage door operator. The inspector cannot test the pressure-activated garage door stop with a car in the garage.
6) Unlock any areas the inspector must access: storage closets, attic hatches, fence gates, and crawl space access panels.
7) Arrange for your pets to be secured or removed from the premises during the inspection.
8) Trim bushes away from the walls of the house and tree limbs away from the roof.
9) Remove stored items from the foundation walls or base of exterior walls of home.
10) Catch up on any minor repairs needed for doorknobs and locks, damaged windowpanes, missing or damaged screens, and clogged gutters and downspouts.
   When you’re all done getting ready for the inspector, you will be justifiably proud of your home. And probably also curious, and a little nervous, about what the buyer’s inspector might find. If you are tempted to stick around for the inspection, please try to stifle that urge.
   You will only end up aggravated, and possibly make it difficult for the buyers and their inspector to have a frank, open conversation about the condition of your home. But, if you can’t resist sticking around, remember never to say this to the inspector: “I don’t think you’ll find anything wrong with this house!”
   It’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull.