Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers Preparing a Home for Sale
Before you can put your house on the market, you will need to have a home inspector take a look at your home. This is necessary as they provide the opportunity for a buyer to identify any major issues with the home prior to the closing costs. It’s absolutely vital that this part of the home-selling process goes well, as it could mean the difference between making the sale and having uneasy buyers slip through your fingers. As expert Houston Heights realtors, our team has put together this home inspection checklist for sellers.
1. Clean and Give Access to Your Entire Home
Depending on the size of your home, there are several areas in which you may not venture regularly. These often include basements, attics, and crawl spaces. However, these will all need to be investigated for the inspection report. Before that time comes, make sure that all access points are clear and able to be walked through. Clear out any storage you may have in these areas and make sure that they are ready to be thoroughly viewed.
2. Check Appliances and Electrical Equipment
One of the most important parts of your home that home inspectors check are the appliances. Make sure that you run your dishwasher, washing and drying machines, air conditioner, heating unit, and water heater to be certain that they are running at full capacity.
You will also want to make sure that anything connected to the electrical panel in your home is working. Try every light switch in the house, open and close your garage doors both manually and with a remote, and be sure that all wiring is safe and ready to go.
3. Check Plumbing
The next step in our home inspection checklist for sellers is to check the plumbing. It is actually very rare that there is not at least a minor plumbing defect. There are many common plumbing issues, including running toilets and leaky sinks. Even the small issues that you have been ignoring during your time living in the house can end up costing you in the long run. If you experience any issues, be sure that you call a plumber immediately to get everything sorted out.
4. Make Necessary Minor Repairs
While any major projects should be undertaken by a professional, there are several minor repairs that you can and should handle before your home inspection. These include:
- Replacing old light bulbs
- Removing clogs from drains
- Replacing torn screens and cracked windows
- Updating dingy grout
- Recaulking bathtubs and sinks
Doing these repairs will not take you much time at all, and may end up saving you a lot of money in the meantime.
5. Take Safety and Security Precautions
The purpose of a home inspection is to make sure that the house is going to be hospitable for the next residents. A major part of this is the safety of the home itself. Performing some basic safety precautions can go a long way. These include:
- Replacing batteries in smoke detectors
- Having an accessible fire extinguisher
- Testing the carbon monoxide detector
- Having pest control do a sweep
6. Check For Mold and Mildew
Mold is among the top concerns for potential homebuyers. Even the smallest sign of mold is enough to turn off the majority of homebuyers. Make sure that your bathrooms are properly caulked, and then be sure to look carefully for signs of mold and mildew in the damp areas in your home. The most common places for mold growth include bathrooms, basements, attics, and under sinks.
7. Check Exterior for Repairs
With so much to look for in a home’s interior, it can be easy to overlook the outside of your home. However, the exterior of your home is just as important, if not more important, than the interior. The outside of your home will provide the very first impression that potential homebuyers will have, and will inform the rest of their decision-making process whether consciously or unconsciously. To improve your curb appeal and make your home exterior the best it can be, take these steps:
- Clean your roof (sweep and potentially pressure wash if needed)
- Clean out gutters
- Clear debris away from the A/C compressor, spouts, and foundation vents
- Keep soil away from the home for water runoff
- Trim overhanging trees
8. Gather Receipts and Warranties
At this point, you are just about ready for the home inspection! One critical step that is easy to overlook is gathering the necessary paperwork. Create a folder of warranty and maintenance information. If you have this information digitally, create a separate label or folder in your emails and keep all of the information there for easy accessibility. An inspector may want to know the last time you had certain repairs done. It is also a good idea to be able to prove the age of fixtures and appliances throughout your home.
9. Make Last-Minute Preparations and Perform Your Own Walkthrough
The day of inspection is here! Now is the time to do one final walkthrough and make sure that everything is in order by going through the home inspection checklist for sellers we just shared with you. Walk from room to room and make sure there are no last-minute small repairs or cleanings that need to be done. You will want to leave your home about an hour before the inspection. As you leave, remember:
- Take all of your pets with you
- Leave any keys that the inspector will need (gates, electric boxes etc.) in easily accessible places
- Leave any remotes that the inspector will need (garage door, lights, ceiling fans, etc.) in easily accessible places
- Leave needed paperwork in easily accessible places
- Turn on the pilot light and utilities
- Take laundry out of the washer and dryer
- Make sure that the sink and dishwasher are free of dishes
You need reliable real estate agents to get the best deals for you. Luckily for you, our homes sell three times faster than our competitors! For more information on how the Shawn Manderscheid Team can help you get the most for your home, check out our seller services. Don’t forget to check back on our blog every month for more tips!