When it’s time for you to sell your home, one of the final steps before the buyer closes is a home inspection. This inspection is critical that everything is in order, ensuring the sale can be completed. If the home ends up being unsatisfactory to the inspector’s standards, the buyer has the choice to opt-out and terminate their contract. Understandably, this can be extremely anxiety-inducing for both parties involved. Both the buyer and the seller want the home to be in the best condition possible so the sale can be successfully finalized. But how can you as the seller take steps to maximize the chances of your home passing the inspection? Luckily, there are plenty of tactics available to you.

How to Prepare For a Home Inspection?

Discover our home selling checklist below, and make preparing for home inspection a breeze!

• Clean up

Perhaps most simply, the easiest way to prepare for your home inspection is to clean your space. Although it isn’t the inspector’s job to assess the cleanliness of your home and how good you are at staying neat and tidy, it can make a good impression regardless. Home inspectors will thoroughly comb through your entire home, even the nooks and crannies you may not be thinking of. In order to improve the quality of your home overall and all the areas your inspector will assess, it’s best to keep your home organized and clean without any clutter sitting around.

• Make repairs

Over time, every home is destined to sustain some wear and tear, no matter how careful and cautious you are. No matter if these necessary repairs are big or small, it’s important to address them ahead of your inspection to make sure nothing stands out as a red flag to the inspector and the buyer. This type of maintenance is helpful to maintain the quality of your home. From lights to plumbing to roofing, there are all sorts of elements of your house that may require some fixing. Be sure to thoroughly assess what your home is in need of ahead of your inspection so you can effectively address these issues.

• Trim your landscaping

Your landscaping serves as a welcome to your home. Maintaining this landscaping not only gives a good impression, but it also can keep your home in the best condition as well. You’ll want to focus on the foundation, clearing the area so the inspector can properly assess it without any obstacles. Any branches from bushes or trees that are scraping up against the house or onto the roof should be trimmed. These exterior tasks can be just as important as the interior ones to ensure that your home is up to par.

• Ensure access to necessary areas

For the inspection, you will need to provide your inspector with access to many different areas of your home. Things such as the water heater, attic, basement, crawl space, fuse box, and any other access points to important fixtures in your home should be easy to access. If you need to provide any keys, be sure to do that as well. These parts of your home are critical to the results of your inspection, so they should be uncomplicated to gain access to.

• Turn on the pilot lights

Pilot lights are small flames that light the gas on any gas-fired appliances. They are commonly found on water heaters and furnaces. If your home has these appliances, you should turn the pilot light on in advance because inspectors are not legally allowed to do so themselves for liability reasons. To test these appliances, they will need the pilot light to be on. You’ll want to be sure your gas is working properly ahead of time. In addition to appliances such as your stove, you should also check your fireplace if applicable. This makes the process easier for the inspector and avoids any potential issues arising during the inspection.

• Check your plumbing

Plumbing issues are very common, but they can be detrimental to a home. Many of the small ones, however, are simple to fix. Running toilets, leaky faucets, slow drains, and other minor leaks are typically found in many homes, but they can be easily fixed without any professional help. Staying on top of these smaller problems is helpful in maintaining the quality of your home as you endeavor in the selling process. For major issues such as significant leaks or issues with pipes, be sure to enlist the help of a plumber to resolve them prior to your inspection.

• Keep your pets out of the way

Your furry friends shouldn’t be present for your inspection. Not only can it be stressful for them if they’re present, but it can also create a mess or prevent the inspector from completing parts of their inspection. During this time, you and your pets should be out of the home to allow the inspection to be completed efficiently without any interruptions. The process will likely take about three hours, so plan to go elsewhere during this time. If needed, you can place them in crates, but most ideally, it will be best to take your pets somewhere outside the home.

Be prepared for your home inspection

With these steps in mind, you can successfully prepare for your home inspection without a hitch. Knowing what to do before a home inspection can feel daunting, but if you take care of these items, you’ll likely have a smooth and easy process. Looking for help during your move? Consult Cord Moving and Storage, the premier moving company for over 100 years. Our experienced professionals are dedicated to providing you with the best service at an affordable price. Request a free quote today for all your moving needs!