🏠 Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Prepping for a Home Inspection 🏠

Are you getting ready to sell your house? One important step in the process is the home inspection. A home inspector will evaluate the property to ensure everything is functioning properly and identify any issues that need to be addressed before closing. To ensure a smooth inspection process, there are a few common mistakes to avoid.

As a seasoned real estate agent, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to home inspections. In this blog, I’ll lay out the top five mistakes to avoid so that you can prepare for a successful home inspection.

1. Skipping Routine Maintenance

Maintaining your home is critical for preventing small problems from turning into big ones. Sadly, life gets in the way, and as a result, some people put off routine maintenance. Unfortunately, this can come back to haunt you during a home inspection.

Some missed maintenance can be easily spotted by an inspector, such as a dirty air filter or a leaky faucet. Neglected maintenance like this can make buyers leery and could result in a lower offer. Keep in mind that maintaining your home is not only important for the inspection but also for the safety, comfort, and longevity of your property.

2. Hiding Issues

If you think you can hide problems during a home inspection, think again. It does not matter how much you try to cover them up, qualified inspectors will spot these problems. Trying to hide them could result in buyers being suspicious and could lead to further evaluations and a possible renegotiation of the asking price. The best thing to do is to be honest about the issues and consult with your real estate agent to address them properly.

The inspection room is not the place to play hide and seek.

3. Not Replacing Burnt-out Light Bulbs

Remembering to replace the burned-out light bulb is one of those “minor” preparations that can make a big difference during a home inspection. You should replace every burned-out bulb as an inspector will need to check every light switch in your home. An inspector will note all burnt-out bulbs and highlight them to the buyer. Faulty electrical items are not something most buyers take lightly. Therefore, it’s best to cross this task off the inspection checklist.

4. Not Cleaning the Property

Cleaning your home is a must-do before a home inspection. The inspection is about making sure everything is safe and functional, but a clean home can help to provide a better first impression of your home. In addition, a clean property reflects good maintenance practices and gives off the impression that your house is well taken care of.

Remember, the first impression counts, so a clean property is a must-do item on your inspection checklist.

5. Not Providing Access to Areas

Your home inspector needs to have complete access to all the areas of your home, including attics, crawl spaces, basements, and walk-in closets. Believe it or not, many homeowners lock these areas or store their personal items there, making them unavailable during inspections. Blocked or inaccessible areas can delay the inspection or give the impression that you’re hiding something.

Home inspectors are trained to work independently and respectfully, so there’s no need to worry about privacy or personal items. The more access the inspector has to inspect, the faster and more generally accurate the report can be.

🎉 Wrapping Up

If you’re planning to sell your home, a home inspection is an essential part of the process. Prepping for a home inspection can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Before the inspection, ensure that you have adequately maintained and cleaned your property, made all areas of the house accessible, and secured the necessary documentation.

Avoiding the mistakes listed above can help ensure that the inspection process goes smoothly and that your home sells quickly. With a little planning and prep, you can make the inspection process as smooth and stress-free as possible.