These are some of the most important steps homeowners should take before and after their inspection to streamline the process for everyone.
The home inspection process typically occurs after an offer is made but before the sale is finalized, allowing both the buyer and seller to be fully aware of the condition of the home and make any necessary repairs or adjustments to pricing.
There are several steps sellers can take both before and after the inspection to create a positive experience for the buyer and inspector, avoid any unnecessary action items on the inspection report, and utilize the inspector’s findings in a helpful way.
Have a Pre-Listing Inspection Done
This is one of the best ways to ensure you’re not blindsided come inspection time. A pre-listing inspection creates space for a professional home inspector to identify a list of issues instead of the seller just trying to fix whatever comes to mind.
“A pre-listing inspection allows homeowners to know exactly what’s wrong and repair it ahead of time, so there are no surprises when the buyer's inspector does their inspection,” explained Adam Long, HomeTeam Inspection Service President. With this report, sellers can choose to make repairs, disclose issues, or adjust pricing, if necessary.
Tidy Up Around the Home
Make sure that all areas of the home are easily accessible and the inspector will not have any challenges accessing the spots they will need to see.
“Make sure things are cleared, nothing is in the way of the inspector, no doors are locked and there are no boxes or furniture in the way,” Long explained. “Ensuring the house is clean and replacing burned out light bulbs or a dirty furnace filter will stand out to the potential buyer.”
Taking additional steps to remove dishes out of the sink and dishwasher and leave keys and remotes for lights, garage doors, gates and electrical boxes creates a nice finishing touch that makes the inspector’s job a bit easier and makes the home look more put together.
Repair Minor Issues Ahead of Time
Addressing seemingly minor issues before the inspection is important.
“Things like leaky faucets and running toilets aren’t critical issues, but they will stand out to the buyer and will be added to the inspection report,” Long explained. “Loose banisters, doors that will not close and any appliances that are not running properly are important things to check during this process.”
Zillow recommends replacing light bulbs, re-caulking around bathtubs and sinks, replacing torn window screens and replacing any damaged insulation. There are additional improvements that are not technically repairs but create a more polished look, including trimming trees, cleaning gutters and pressure washing.
Consider the Buyer’s Repair Requests, Know Your Options
After the inspection, the buyer’s agent will review the inspection report with the buyer and work to decide if they will ask for repairs or a price reduction.
Though regulations vary between states, some sellers are not required to fix any issues at all and others lean toward fixing only those that pose a threat to the buyer’s health and safety. The seller should consider the market before choosing to make, negotiate or refuse repairs to avoid losing the deal.
