If you're selling your home, there will probably come a time when it will be inspected. In most cases, a home inspection is a routine part of journey to the closing table. Follow these quick tips from a seasoned pro to help make your home inspection as easy and hassle-free as possible.
1. Make sure the inspector will have ACCESS TO THE HOUSE. This means access to every area of the house: closets, garage, attic hatch, basement. Access to the windows. And no locked rooms, please. A good inspector will take note of areas that weren't accessible and will note them in the report. At the inspector's discretion, he or she might recommend further evaluation prior to closing. In extreme cases, a second inspection might have to be scheduled, which is an extra expense and hassle for everyone involved. Please, let us in.
2. Make sure the inspector will have ACCESS TO THE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE HOUSE: the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. Will the inspector have a clear view of the space underneath the sinks, or is the cabinet stuffed near to bursting with plastic bags? Is there ready access to the water main, gas meter, and electrical panel? Is there clear and easy access to the water heater, furnace, or boiler? Hopefully you'll be moving soon anyway. Now would be a great time to clear out some of the clutter.
3. Please don't hover. The inspector is there to provide an unbiased report of the condition of the house. Most of us have been working on houses since we were lads. Unless you have something really unusual, we've probably seen it dozens of times before. We know you care about your house. We do too. And we know the inspection can be stressful for some. But please, let us work undisturbed.
4. Avoid quick last-minute fixes. Does your foundation have cracks in it? Fine. There are many cases where a foundation crack is noted in the report as "typical" or "unremarkable."
Do you really think those cracks should be fixed? It's up to you, but I'd like to offer you two suggestions. Either leave them there or have them fixed by a licensed and insured foundation contractor. If you're not going to do it right, it's better not to do it at all. Keep the receipts if you choose to make repairs. I would much rather see a foundation with cracks in it than a brand new, undocumented patch and paint job on an old foundation. Recent repairs- and especially recent cosmetic work - can raise doubts in the minds of many inspectors.
5. Place pets in secure pet crates, or better yet, take them to a friend's house or the park.
If you've been diligent about maintaining your home, there's no reason to be concerned about the home inspection. If you aren't sure about the condition of your home, it might make sense to hire your own inspector to perform a "pre-listing" inspection. A good pre-listing inspection will disclose all the major items, which you can then have repaired or you can make them part of your disclosure. Just remember - if you decide to have work done, be sure to hire only licensed and insured contractors, and keep your receipts!
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