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Tips for Your Home Inspection

by Sandi Pressley

Having a home inspection is a given when you are selling a home. You can prepare for your home inspection by taking a few steps. This will help the seller avoid bumps along the road to the closing table and helps the buyer avoid complications as they go through the buying process.

A competent inspector should be called in to inspect any home for sale. This inspection protects the buyer from future issues and protects the seller from potential lawsuits for known defects. The inspector will be looking for material defects in the home and reporting these defects to the buyer and seller, giving them the opportunity to negotiate repairs or price changes based on repairs needed. Often, sellers think they can just leave during their home inspection. This is far from accurate and taking these steps can help your inspection go smoother from the beginning.

Tip #1 Clear areas the inspector may need to enter. This includes attic scuttle entries, furnace areas, hot water heaters, crawl spaces and your electrical box.

Tip #2 Have the power on. Inspectors will be testing all major mechanical appliances including all those mentioned above.

Tip #3 Don’t forget about other appliances. A good inspector should test all appliances like the ice maker, dishwasher, microwave, water softener and trash compactor.

Tip #4 Replace garage door opener batteries and make sure the door(s) are clear and can be opened. The inspector will open and close the garage door(s).

Tip #5 If you have a well and/or septic system, the inspector will be running tests. For the septic system they will need to open the tank. Ensure the inspector has access for that. They may also take a water sample if you're using a well.

Tip #6 Here are some other things a competent inspector will check:

  • Toilets
  • Faucets
  • Electrical receptacles
  • Windows
  • Roof
  • Basement
  • Fireplaces

 

Tip #7 Don't try to hide things. A good inspector will know what signs to look for to ensure nothing is being kept from the inspection. In fact, a hidden items found during inspection may even raise red flags with the inspector.

Preparing for your home inspection may seem overwhelming. Following these tips above can help your inspection go smoothly and put the buyer at ease that the home they've made an offer on will be a good investment.

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Tips for Your Home Inspection

by Sandi Pressley

The worry that the inspector will find something wrong with your home is something that hangs over every seller, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep in mind what the inspector will be looking for and at and you can make the inspection process much smoother. Most sellers think that all they have to do for an inspection is leave the house. While most Realtors will suggest that the owners leave the house during the inspection, this is far from the only thing the seller can do.

Clear out Closets

Clean out any closets that have attic access scuttles in them, as the inspector will need to get in and out of the attic spaces. Some insulation may fall out during the inspection and while the inspector will try to clean it up after he probably won’t be able to get it all. So remove all the clothes and boxes from the closet to make it easier for the inspector.

Keep the Windows Closed

If your home will be getting a Radon test as part of its inspection leave the windows closed for two or three days before the test is to take place. The Radon detector will be placed in your home and will need to be there for 48-72 hours in order to collect enough information for accurate test results.

Make Sure Your Mechanicals are Accessible

Your inspector will be running tests on the cooling and heating systems, the water heater, the water softener and the electrical service panel, so make sure the inspector has easy access to all these things so they don’t have to climb over or step on any of your things.

Check the Appliances

Check that all the appliances that are staying in the house are plugged in and functioning properly. The inspector will run the dishwasher and check the burners on the oven and stove. They will also run the microwave, ice maker, and any other appliances like the trash compactor.

Check the Garage Door Openers

Make sure the garage door openers are working properly and the safeties are set correctly. The inspector will check to see if breaking the safety beams will make the door stop closing and that pressure on the door that indicates the door has hit someone or something will cause it to stop.

Septic

If your inspector is going to be doing well and septic tests make sure to mark the spot where the tank is or even dig down and uncover the top as the septic inspector will need to open the tank. For the well tests they will be testing the bladder (holding) tank to make sure that it’s not ruptured. They’ll also be taking a water sample which will be sent in for analysis.

Other things a good inspector will be checking are:

The Faucets

All the faucets will be run, the toilets will be flushed and the tubs and sinks will all be filled and drained to test the plumbing for leaks or other various problems.

The Windows

The inspector will be opening and closing all your windows to make sure they all open and close smoothly and properly.

Roof and Basement

Your inspector will be getting onto your roof to check it for any damage. In the basement the inspector will be checking for cracks that indicate excessive foundation settling and any signs of water damage. If there are obvious cracks or water damage you might want to leave an explanation for the inspector and proof for any repairs or water proofing work that has been done on the home.

The Fireplace

The inspector will be checking your chimney for any blockages or problems. If there is an insert for a wood-burning system installed the inspector will check to make sure there aren’t any defects or mistakes with the instillation.

Don’t Hide Things

Remember that your inspector will look behind and under things so make sure you don’t try to cover things up by tucking them in a corner.

Your home inspection doesn’t have to be an anxiety creating event for the buyer or the seller. If you have a good thorough inspector they will explain the state of the home to the buyers as he goes through the house and give them their opinion on the condition of the home. He might also offer the buyers advice on the potential cost of dealing with the issues that may be found in the home. A good inspector can alert the buyer to problems without causing undue alarm to the buyer. Most of the issues an inspector finds during an inspection are minor problems that involve postponed maintenance or improper installation and can be resolved for a few hundred dollars.

Be patient with your Realtor if they ask you to leave for the inspection. There are a few good reasons behind their request. First of all, some homeowners can become overly defensive and argumentative with their inspector if they are following them on their inspection. Secondly, some home owners are overly helpful pointing out flaws that the inspector has already noted or doesn’t even need to note. Lastly some sellers tend to get in the way of the inspector as they work.

So make sure your home is prime condition for the inspection and then let the inspector do their work. You’ll have ample opportunity to defend any problems after the inspector has made their report.

If you’d like to sell your home contact The Sandi Pressley Team today.

Have An Awesome Week!

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com