How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

by Amanda Serra of Allen Tate REALTORS

Most people would think about the inspection of their home the day before the home inspector is scheduled to arrive. But if you are planning to sell your home it is always good practice to take care of some of the potential issues before you put your house on the market.

Is the banister to the deck and/or the stairs loose?  Is there chipping paint on the window frame? If the house was built before 1978, lead-based paint is a concern. And depending on the loan type, it may be a requirement that this be fixed.

Anything that is a potential safety risk is always a good idea to fix right away. Not only will it reduce your liability before potential buyers visit your home, but by not fixing the issue, you may lead someone who is interested in your home to change their mind. What sellers sometimes don’t realize about buyers is that most of them prefer to buy a home that they see as being free from burdens.

You  want to replace any cracked or missing glass in windows. Again, for safety reasons, but also many sales contracts require this be fixed by the seller. Ours in the Greater Greenville area does, and it also requires repairs of:

• Any active leaks. Not only should you repair the leak, but repair any cosmetic damage as a result of the leak. Nothing will scare a buyer off quicker than a leaky roof, leaky ceiling or a leaky anything for that matter!
• Issues with your heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems and any appliances that will remain in the home. Repair it. Not only in operative condition but one where it functions as it should!

If you are not sure what may be considered a safety risk or an item that you should fix before the inspection, ask your Realtor to walk through the home with you. They may see something that you may not have thought of and may more easily be able to see red flags and concerns as a buyer would.