If you have decided to sell your home and relocate to a new place, you need to consider the benefits of having your house inspected. And while deciding to put your house on the market is an easy part of the home selling process, preparing it for sale is a different story. Preparing your home for an inspection is a bit more demanding. Since the success of the sale will largely depend on the inspection report, many sellers choose to do it before accepting any buyers into their home for a viewing.

Prepare your home for an inspection before you put it on the market.

Reasons to have your home pre-inspected 

Although it's typically the buyer who organizes the home inspection if they are serious about the sale, in some states, the sellers are required to do it. Regardless of whether you're expecting the buyer's inspector to visit your home, or you are the one paying for it, you need to be well-prepared. If you find out about any leaks or other faults in your home, perceive it as a head start. You will know which problems the buyer will likely find, and you can repair it before placing your home on the market. Alternatively, if you decide not to do the repairs, remember that it will give the buyer some negotiating room. Ultimately, you may have to reduce your price.

Furthermore, with an inspection completed, you show that you're not trying to hide any issues. It's also an indication that you have taken good care of the house. All that may give the buyer a boost of confidence and nudge them into placing an offer.

Areas an inspector will check

If you want to prepare your home for an inspection, you should know what a home inspector will look at.

• Appliances - stove, oven, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, garage door, water heater, etc. All the appliances that stay in the house will undergo inspection to ensure they are operative. Keep them plugged in because an inspector may assume that they have been unplugged for a reason.
• Electrical wiring, gas, heating, cooling. An inspector will focus on all those potentially significant issues in a house.
• Structural elements. The inspection will cover the roof, garage, attic, crawl space, siding, windows, and doors.

Take steps to prepare your home for an inspection

Now that you are aware of why you should organize a pre-inspection before you list your home for sale and what an inspector will check, you can take steps to prepare for this event thoroughly. It would be smart to create a checklist, so you don't forget anything.

Clean

Obviously, the first thing to do is make your house presentable by cleaning it thoroughly. You may think that saying this is redundant, but you would be surprised how often this step is overlooked. Again, a clean home will show that you have cared about it, and it will make an excellent first impression. Home inspectors are people, too, so don't be fooled into thinking they will disregard dirt and mess.

A clean house will make a good first impression, and it will show it has been well-maintained.

Declutter and make everything accessible

You need to make everything accessible to the inspector. This is commonly a problem because people forget about it and easy access to certain areas is usually impossible due to stored items. Here is a list of places where you need to ensure clear access:

• Crawl space: make sure any access panels are not hidden, locked, or blocked.
• Furnace: ensure clear access. Also, clean the filter while you're at it.
• Water heater
• Electric panel(s): Sometimes, besides items stored in front of them, people place paintings, shelves, or cabinets to cover them. So, move anything that could obstruct the safe removal of the panel cover.
• Sewer cleanout: if the sewer inspection is conducted together with the home inspection, it must be accessible.
• Garage: if you have a detached garage, provide the key or the garage door opener.
• Attic: they are the biggest challenge to inspectors. If the ceiling is caulked, painted, or sprayed shut, you should open the access panel before the inspection.

Utilities should stay connected

The inspector will turn on appliances and test the air conditioning and furnace. Therefore, gas, water, and electricity should be on. If the utilities are not on, the inspector will have to reschedule. It will lead to delays and extra expenses.

Keep the gas pilot ignited.

Water heaters and gas fireplaces are the two most common gas appliances that an inspector will have to see in operation. Many homeowners turn off their gas furnace pilots in spring. However, since most home inspectors won't ignite them because their insurance usually doesn't cover that type of liability, they won't be able to check them. Consequently, this can cause a delay, and the inspection will have to be rescheduled, which will cost extra.

Prepare all important documentation.

If you have already carried out some repairs in your home, such as the roof or HVAC maintenance, you should have the documentation for that prepared. It will be useful for the inspector but also another way to demonstrate to the buyer that the house has been well-maintained. It will be a reassuring factor that will speed up the sale as the buyer will not have to worry about how soon they will have to pay for these significant repairs.

Prepare important documentation, such as invoices for the repairs done.

Stay away from your home for a few hours

You may think that it's helpful for you to stay in your house while it's inspected. However, it would be best if you made yourself scarce when all the parties have arrived unless you are the one who initiated the inspection. The inspector may feel uncomfortable pointing out issues with your house, and the buyer might also feel awkward when asking questions.

If you have pets, take them with you or keep them secured. They often get underfoot and cause accidents. It's best to keep them away for both their and inspector’s sake.

Happy Selling

If you have decided to move away from your hometown, you will have to do several things. You will have to sell your house and purchase the new one. Hiring an agent is advisable here, just like hiring movers when the time comes for relocation. You will also have to prepare your home for an inspection. Since you will also be buying a new home, you will know first-hand why it's essential. If you want to increase your chances of your place selling faster, have it pre-inspected before the open house. And just as you probably would when you do have potential buyers viewing your home, leave some cookies for the inspectors as well.