Preparing For A Home Inspection

Preparing for a Home Inspection: Tips to Help Your Closing Go Smoothly

If you’re selling your home, here are some steps you can take to ensure a smoother inspection process with fewer issues that could delay closing. Taking the time to address these areas before the inspection can help expedite the sale of your property.

1. 🏠 Ensure Access to Key Areas:
   Make sure the inspector has access to all parts of the home, including the furnace, water heater, and air conditioning units—especially those located in closets, the attic, or crawlspaces.
2. 🔓 Clear Obstructions:
   Remove any items that block access to HVAC equipment, the electrical service panel, water heater, and other essential systems.
3. 🚗 Prepare the Garage:
   Ensure the garage door is open, and that the water heater, utility panel, shutoff valves, and GFCI resets are easily accessible.
4. 🔑 Unlock Necessary Areas:
   Unlock any doors or hatches that the inspector will need access to, such as attic entries, electrical panels, closets, and crawlspaces.
5. 🔌 Ensure Utilities Are On:
   Verify that all utilities are active and that gas pilot lights are burning.
6. 🐾 Manage Pets:
   To avoid distractions or safety concerns, it’s best to remove pets from the premises or secure them outside. Inform your agent about any pets on the property.
7. 💡 Replace Burned-Out Bulbs:
   Replace any burned-out light bulbs to avoid a report noting "light did not operate," which could raise concerns about electrical issues.
8. 🏚️ Clear the Foundation Area:
   Remove stored items, debris, and stacked wood from the foundation, as these could be flagged as conditions conducive to wood-destroying insects.
9. 🌳 Trim Vegetation:
   Trim tree limbs to at least 10 feet from the roof, and trim shrubs to within 1 foot of the house. This prevents obstruction to service lines and reduces potential hazards.
10. 🛠️ Fix Minor Issues:
    Repair or replace any broken or missing items, including doorknobs, locks, latches, windowpanes, screens, and gutters. Don’t forget to check chimney caps as well.

By addressing these simple steps before the inspection, you’ll help ensure a smoother and faster closing process.

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