How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
Home inspections are an integral part of running a homebuying business. When Jon and I buy homes for cash, a home inspection is what endorses the property. Our buddy Mike, a professional home inspector, has been inspecting homes for us for decades.
Everything we know about home inspections, Mike taught us. And now it’s our turn to share that knowledge with you. A home inspection can get tedious. We know how difficult it was for us in the initial years of our business.
Every home inspection may have a standard checklist, but it can vary based on the type of property.
1. Clean & Declutter
So what I have learned from Mike over the years is “When you’re expecting a home inspector to come by, one of the best things you can do to make the process easier is to declutter and clean up.” He recommends the following:
- Sweeping any debris in the front and back yard.
- Removing outdoor clutter or waste.
- Decluttering closets and storage spaces (like basements and attics).
While you don’t need to go all out with cleaning, keeping things neat and enabling clear access to everything can make the entire process easier for the inspector.
2. Fix What’s Broken
If ain’t broke, don’t fix it works for real estate too. A reliable way to ensure a smooth home inspection is to repair broken parts of your home before the inspection. You can:
- Check the functionality of the light bulbs.
- Keeping the smoke alarms up to date.
- Patching up plaster cracks.
- Fixing dripping taps.
Ensuring everything is fully functioning makes inspection easier and offers prospective buyers reassurance.
3. Provide Full Access
Provide full access? Alex, what does that mean?
This is relatively easy. To inspect your home, the inspector needs full access to the entire property.
This includes access to:
- Locked rooms
- Garages
- External structures, like sheds, barns, and outhouses
- Crawlspaces
- Storage cupboards
- Attics
4. Get Your Paperwork in Order
Mike emphasizes that “This is one step that often requires a bit of early preparation.” An inspector goes through every system in your home, from the HVAC to the foundation itself.
Therefore, any updates on general maintenance, repairs, or other things to note about your home will be important to discuss and disclose, especially if an issue has already been addressed.
Summary
While a home inspection may seem like a daunting event to prepare for, you can get through it easily with some forethought. When you have all your paperwork and provide full access to a clean, functional home, your abode will be a model of success.
Home inspectors are looking out for both buyers and sellers. As a seller, prepare your home for the inspection, and as a potential buyer, take the inspection seriously, as this is your investment.
Mike has helped us out with our home inspections, and in all cases, our homebuying process has been smoother and safer.
