Your agent has found the perfect buyers for your home, and now it’s time for you to focus on a home inspection checklist to set future inspections for success.
Homebuyers typically hire a home inspector to get an objective opinion on the condition of their new home. Selling homes can be stressful, so addressing any issues before the buyer’s home inspection can prevent any closing delays. It’s never ideal to have issues revealed during the home inspection process, which may jeopardize the sale of the home.
To prepare for the home inspection, you should save any receipts or invoices from repairs or recent servicing on any mechanical equipment within the home. Collecting any warranty information or instruction manuals for new appliances or systems in the home can also be helpful for potential buyers. If your home has additions or projects that required permits to complete, having this information ready for a potential buyer can help you get ahead of the game.
A home inspection is a comprehensive assessment of a property’s condition, and it often involves identifying a variety of issues and defects. While minor defects can make buyers feel uneasy, significant defects can be deal-breakers that jeopardize the entire transaction. Though this outcome is unfortunate, it underscores the importance of addressing issues before entering into a sale or disclosing them to potential buyers.
Dealing with problems proactively can prevent surprises from derailing the deal and help ensure a smooth transaction. Ultimately, transparency and integrity are key to building trust with buyers and safeguarding the sale of your home.
Looking for more information on what’s involved with a home inspection? Be sure to check out HIABC’s FAQS and Tips.
Home Inspection Checklist
Here are some primary home inspection checklist items you should address before selling your home:
- Replace or repair any rotten wood on the exterior windows and doors.
- Trim trees and vegetation from foundation, cladding, and roof areas.
- Have mechanical systems serviced.
- Repair roofing issues that may allow leaks into the attic.
- Repair clogged sink or bathtub drains.
- Repair cracks in exterior cement on walkways, driveways, and masonry.
- Fix a wet or damp crawlspace/basement.
- Change any burnt-out lightbulbs.
On the day of the inspection, you should also follow this checklist:
- Light all pilot lights for gas appliances, including fireplaces.
- Plan to leave the house for at least 3 hours.
- Leave all interior doors unlocked.
- Kennel or remove large pets from the property.
- Ensure clean and unobstructed access to HVAC equipment, electrical panel, crawlspace, and attic space.
Pre-listing Home Inspections
Another way to understand the condition of your home prior to listing is a pre-listing home inspection. A pre-listing home inspection is a great tool for home sellers and real estate agents. One thing we cannot change is the condition of the property at the time of the buyer’s inspection. A pre-listing home inspection can be an excellent way of assessing your home’s overall value to determine if any minor or major repairs need to be made.
Often, these issues are not found prior to an offer on the home and can lead to complicated negotiations and extended closing timelines. Home buyers often overestimate the costs to repair/replace items like a roof or new HVAC equipment.
Help your listing stand out with a pre-listing inspection report!
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