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Tuesday Tip: Sellers, Get Ready For Your Home Inspection

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

Congratulations! Your home is under contract, and the buyer has ordered the home inspection. 

As the seller, you are probably busy packing for the big day. A hundred details are running through your mind. But take a few minutes to prepare for the home inspection.

If your home is in need of repairs, hopefully you addressed these items before putting your home on the market. If not, now is a good time to remedy these concerns.  See this oldie but goodie inspection checklist.

Remember, the inspector needs access under the kitchen sink**, as well as all the bathrooms sinks to check for leaks. It may not occur to you to tidy up these spaces before the inspector arrives. The inspector will not move items out of the way, so be sure the area is clear of cleaning supplies, detergent, and other items.

Clutter under the kitchen sink

Likewise, the inspector needs access to the electrical panel. It may be located in the garage, utility room, or another interior room, depending on the age of the home. Be sure boxes or other items do not block access to the breaker panel. If the inspector cannot access these systems, it could delay your closing, or at the very least, create a return visit.

If you'll take a few minutes to prepare for the visit,  your inspection can be completed in a timely manner. 

**As a side note, guess who discovered a leak under the sink while writing this post? Yes, yours truly. A small leak, undetected for months, was repaired this morning by my trusted plumber.

For more information on this topic, or to sell your Brandon, MS area home, please call me at 601-278-4513.

Comments(15)

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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Pat. If you clear space for a home inspector periodically, you will find items in need of repair ahead of time. A true benefit.  Enjoy your day.

Jun 18, 2024 05:00 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Good information within the post. Sellers that have been in the house a long time must control the emotions as it is not a statement on them, just an observation by an professional on what they were not aware of.

Jun 18, 2024 05:21 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Pat - oldie but goodie tips in many sorts of situations can come in handy.  

Jun 18, 2024 05:32 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Pat... advice I provide my own sellers; what I request from seller agents when I'm representing the buyer... amazing how often they do nothing.

Jun 18, 2024 05:44 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Wayne Martin - that certainly happened for me!

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - it happens to all of us. We use the space under the sink for storage; but forget that the home inspector has to take a look. And many times they will NOT move our belongings. It says so in the fine print.

Jun 18, 2024 07:26 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Michael Jacobs - Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties contributed many valuable articles to this platform. I can't say enough good things about her input.

Nina Hollander, Broker - True statement! If the seller hasn't started packing, the area under the sink is usually cluttered. If they HAVE started packing, sometimes the electrical panel is blocked. Every sale has its challenges, right?

Jun 18, 2024 07:38 AM
Michael Jacobs

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty - you're right, Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties has an impressive AR history.  

Jun 18, 2024 07:52 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

These are great tips.  We see it often. The inspector notes "further inspection" in areas that cannot be accessed.  Inspectors are not going to move things ... for a multitude of reasons. 

 

Jun 18, 2024 08:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty home inspections can make or break a deal, so it is important to make it as easy as possible for home inspectors.

Jun 18, 2024 09:55 AM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

It’s a great post. Thank you for sharing!

 

Have a super fantastic week!

Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP

Jun 18, 2024 10:02 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Pat and great information to share with us here in the Rain.  Make it a great Tuesday.   Can I reblog this someday?

 

Jun 18, 2024 10:31 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Will Hamm - absolutely!

Jun 18, 2024 02:57 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are all excellent suggestions for readying a home for a home inspection, Pat.

Jun 20, 2024 07:42 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Pat, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Clubgroup!  

Jun 20, 2024 07:42 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Thanks, Myrl Jeffcoat !

Jun 20, 2024 08:39 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker
Great information, thanks for sharing.  I hope you have a great day.
Jun 24, 2024 02:25 AM