Preparing your home for a home inspection is integral to ensuring major issues stay within the process and create costly repairs or, worse outcomes.

An excellent first step is to conduct a basic pre-inspection of the major systems, such as the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, and structural components.

Follow up with basic maintenance tasks such as clearing windows and exterior drainage cleaning gutters and downspouts, correcting landscaping lapses or overgrowth, and ensuring foundation areas remain free from debris or large objects.

Lastly, minor touch-ups like painting small spots on walls or any small cracks around windows can also help improve the outlook of a successful home inspection.

Knowing what to expect and preparing for a home inspection can make all the difference in completing a successful home sale.

What Happens in a Home Inspection?

A home inspection contingency should be added to any real estate offer, allowing the homebuyer to inspect their home and negotiate repairs before buying. To prepare for the home inspection, homeowners should go through their home inspection checklist.

Home inspection reports will tell a real estate agent what is functioning properly before you consider buying a home or selling your home. Check that utilities are active and all systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.) are in working order.

Clean up any clutter and empty basement storage that could obstruct views of areas needing inspection. Once an inspector has been hired, communicate access instructions and answer any questions they may have before their arrival. Lastly, be sure to leave your home during the appointment, as inspections are most effective with no distractions or interference from occupants.

Open Access to Areas

Preparing for a home inspection should be a top priority for any homeowner. Ensuring open access to all home areas is critical to inspect all aspects thoroughly.

It's also important to clear pathways to allow the entire inspector movement throughout the home and open any service and access panels that may need an inspection.

All utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity, should be actively running on inspection day, including carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Any recent updates or repairs should be documented and available if you need them. Taking these steps will help ensure a successful home inspection.

Replace Outdated Materials

Preparing for a home inspection can be an exciting and essential process. Before the review, replace outdated appliances and fixtures. By checking the condition of your home prior to an inspection, you can prevent any safety issues for the buyer. It can also effect the sale price for your property.

Make sure to replace burned-out lightbulbs, replace air filters, and clean up yard debris like overgrown shrubbery or dead leaves. Furthermore, clear out any cluttered corners or crawl space to give the inspector room to work.

Trim trees and bushes away from structures to make them more accessible. Lastly, make sure to provide some access to all areas of the home, such as an attic or basement, so they can do a thorough job of inspecting your property. With some due diligence before your home inspection, you’ll be one step closer to obtaining clearance on any potential problems with your property.

Check the Roof

When preparing for a home inspection, thoughtful and thorough preparation can make all the difference. You can check your roof for any wear or damage to get started. Make repairs to any apparent issues and check for missing or cracked shingles that may require professional repair.

Additionally, check pipes inside and outside the home for leaks, rust, or clogs, and check the condition of your siding to ensure it’s in good shape. Lastly, check all windows and doors, as well as attic ventilation, to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Following these simple tasks will give you peace of mind that your property is fully prepared ahead of time so you can confidently enjoy the inspection experience.

Contact Scheidt Home Inspections Today!

At Scheidt Home Inspection, hiring a home inspector is easy and stress-free. Our experienced professionals come to you with industry knowledge that can help put your mind at ease as you navigate the real estate world.

With a short yet comprehensive report detailing our findings, we'll give you an informed and actionable opinion about the home or property you want to purchase. Our goal is to make hiring a home inspector simple so you can focus on making the best-informed decision possible. Don't hesitate - to contact us today and take advantage of our expertise in home inspections!