Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing and lets the inspector make positive comments on the home while doing the inspection.
1) Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning. This happens a few times, if the house is vacant you really need to make sure it's all on, Professional inspectors that follow a standards of practice will NOT light pilot lights and will almost always differ the unit to be checked by a specialist for repair or replacement, If I can't check it how do you expect me to say it works, this makes buyers nervous and we all don't that.
2) Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside in a caged area, not roaming free. Tell your agent about any pets at home so they can pass on the message to the inspector, I wear a unoform and pooches for some reason just seem to dislike uniforms, ask your postal worker.
3) This is such an easy fix but sellers get hit with this frequently. Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "Light is inoperable" report that may suggest an electrical problem. Also if you have a light swith that controls a reciptical (plug ) please leave a yellow pot it note stating which plug it turns on and off, this way i put in the tester and watch it glow on and off. If it happens to be one of the plugs i test and it does not glow, it could get written up as Non Working plug in ??? room, have qualified contractor investigate.
4) Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
5) Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely, another post it note on the side of th unit stating the date you switched the filter will also show you keep up with maintenance, another good thing I would point out to my client during the inspection.
6) Remove stored items, debris and wood from Exterior foundation. These may be cited as "conducive conditions" for termites or wood destroying insects. If it's junk call an inlaw/friend with a trailer and haul it to the dump out of sight, out of the report.
7) Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces. I kow you are moving and I know you are packing, but please try to keep the systems clear and clutter free, if at all possible put the items into storage, allow inspector access to see the walls and foundation, remember if we can see it we can inspect it, if the walls have boxes lined up along them it could get put in as "Unaccesable, unable to inspect" we snap a picture to verify this and move on
8) Unlock areas the inspector must access - attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces. Make sure the attic hatch can be opened and is not painted shut, if it is some inspectors will not " Break the paint seal" to access the attic and state attic unaccesable opening painted shut. This is not good at all, now the rafters and underside of the roof do not get inspected, insulation can't be verfied venting is also not verfiable, buyers will cringe when these places do not get inspected.
9) Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs atleast 12" from the house to allow access. If you have overhead power trim the branches away from there as well
10) Attend to loose, broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches, window cranks, windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.
Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property. Your real estate agent will thank you and the inspection will be much smoother, we note these to the client as we do the inspection. This shows maintenance concern on you the seller and makes the potential buyer feel better about thier new home!
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