10 Things To Do Before Having Your Home Inspected
Summertime is a prime time for homeowners to list their house on the market. Once an offer on the home is accepted and the papers have been signed, the next step in the process is a home inspection. The Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS® (GLAR) wants to remind homeowners of a few things they can do to get their house ready before the inspector comes, thus saving time and money down the road.
1. Pay attention to plumbing – Homeowners should look at faucets to make sure they turn on properly, drains to make sure they aren’t clogged, and toilets to make sure they flush without issues.
2. Examine lighting fixtures – be sure to replace any light bulbs that are not working. An inspector would check to see if the bulb is out, or if there is an underlying electrical issue.
3. Get rid of bugs – make sure that there are no ants, carpenter bees, or termites hanging in or around your home. An inspector would make note of any sort of infestation.
4. Fix all windows – any cracked or broken window panes or broken screens should be repaired before the inspector comes. Make sure all windows open (if older ones are painted shut, it must be disclosed). If some of the seals are broken, which makes windows foggy, be proactive and get quotes for replacement seals in case it comes up during inspection.
5. Replace filters – a dirty furnace return air filter not only impacts the efficiency of the overall HVAC system, but they also show neglect, which isn’t the type of impression a homeowner wants to leave with the inspector.
6. Check outlets – make sure that each outlet in the home works and that there are no weird issues with the electrical system that have been observed while living in the home. Any flickering light fixtures or slow switches, etc., can be signs of a problem for an electrician to investigate.
7. Trim the trees closest to the house – homeowners should make sure that there is no overhanging vegetation at the property. Trees that are over roofs can prematurely shorten a roof life by inviting moss and lichen to take over. Rodents can also gain easy access to the chimney and other openings. Lastly, if there’s a low-hanging or unhealthy branch, it could always fall onto the roof.
8. Make certain areas accessible – make sure that the inspector has access to critical areas of the house, like the electrical box, furnace, hot water heater, and air conditioning units, attic door, and any other possible locked spaces. Also make it easy to access under sink plumbing work and back access, as well as any areas blocked off by storage, etc. If the inspector cannot gain access, they will be unable to include them in the report, raising questions for the buyers.
9. Service any HVAC units – have the HVAC cleaned and serviced to make sure there are no underlying issues. Many warranty companies want HVAC systems inspected prior to closing to ensure that there are no pre-existing conditions that would affect warranty coverage.
10. Inspect the exterior – make sure that the exterior of the home does not include any rotting wood around the windows, soffits, eaves, and the deck. These are things that a handyman can oftentimes fix inexpensively which can become a more expensive negotiation during the inspection period.
The Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS® (GLAR) is the “The Voice for Real Estate” in the Greater Louisville Area. As the local arm of America’s largest trade association, the National Association of REALTORS®, GLAR represents more than 4,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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