Preparing For A Home Inspection

Home inspections are one of the most nerve-wracking stages in the home selling process. Once a contract has been signed the home inspection is one of the next things on the list. Every contract specifics a specific time frame during which the inspection must occur. This can be a nail biting experience for both sellers and buyers. Every buyer is different with regards to what they will or will not accept after a home inspection so it is crucial that sellers do all they can to put their home in the best light.

A home inspection is generally scheduled within the first 15 days of contract and will be paid directly to the inspector. In addition to a home inspection to determine defects it is advisable in Florida to have the inspector perform a wind mitigation inspection that will often provide discounts on your insurance premium. You may also want to consider a full termite and pest inspection often referred to as a WDO. Some lenders will require a clear WDO in order to fund your loan. Most lenders also require a recent survey. Sometimes this is paid at closing and other times may need to be paid up front.

Are you a seller prepping for a home inspection? You should know that the process doesn’t have to a nail biting one. There are things you can do in advance to put your home it the best shape possible. Home inspectors often encounter the same issues over and over. Here’s a list of the most frequent problems seen by contractors:

Many of these issues will not deter hopeful buyers, however, some could and it pays to have your home in the best shape possible in order to ensure a successful closing. Here are a few tips from Real Estate Ink in Melbourne, FL.

Fix it

Take a good look at your home from the eyes of your prospective buyer. If something is broken, get it repaired. For example, replace broken or damage baseboards, fix hinges on cabinet doors, and be sure to check outside too.

Check your HVAC unit

A faulty unit or one that has seen better days could deter your buyer. Have your unit serviced by a credible professional company and be sure to keep all the documents associated with repairs or service calls. Be sure to keep your filter clean while marketing your home. A dirty filter can indicate to a buyer that the HVAC system hasn’t been properly serviced or maintained. Don’t let that image of doubt enter into your buyer’s decision making.

Document any work done on your home

Keeping proper documentation of all past work done on your home provides your buyer with peace of mind. Receipts from past work and permits work on your behalf giving the buyer confidence in your home. If you don’t have current records, call contractors who have worked on your home and request documentation. You can also call the city and request permits for things such as roof replacements. These documents are vital for some buyers who depend on verification in order to qualify for discounts from their insurance companies.

Replace missing or burned out lightbulbs

And make sure the batteries in your smoke detectors are functioning. The majority of home inspectors will not carry lightbulbs and will have to mark the inspection report RR for repair and/or replace. When a buyer sees an RR for anything electrical they cannot tell if it is for just a lightbulb or if there is a underlying electrical issue. So again, if you can alleviate concerns for the buyer upfront and eliminate doubt you will have a successful inspection and can move on to a successful closing.