The vast majority of Central Kentucky home-buyers will want to have a thorough home inspection performed as soon as their offer is accepted by the seller. Here are five tips on how to ensure that when selling, you pass your home inspection with the fewest issues possible.
1. Unfettered Access
First tip to pass your home inspection, provide unfettered access to your electric panels, heating and cooling systems and your attic. The inspector will need to assess all of these areas, so it’s best to let them get in easily. Remember also to clean the space below your sinks so the inspector can easily assess your pipes.
2. Appliance Check
Second, be sure to empty all your appliances to facilitate the inspection (except your refrigerator, of course). That means your washer, dryer, dishwasher and stove should all be fully empty and ready to test.
3. Documentation
Next – if possible — provide full documentation of your appliances, systems and any work you’ve had done on them. For example, “if you’ve had an engineer inspect a crack in your foundation and there’s nothing wrong with your structure, display that report so the home inspector doesn’t have to be concerned about the crack,” says a local inspection company.
You can even attempt to provide the manuals for appliances by using online resources like GE’s Appliance Manual online center: http://www.geappliances.com/ge/service-and-support/literature.htm
4. Light The Way
One incredibly simple tip – replace ALL light bulbs so the inspector won’t have to worry about whether a burnt out bulb is really an issue with your wiring.
5. Get Outta There
Last, get out of there! Think of the inspection as another home showing – you need to be out of sight and out of mind so the inspector can speak freely with the buyers and their agent. And if at all possible, take your pets with you or arrange for them to be visiting a friend or relative during the inspection time.
These tips are a great starting point to helping pass your home inspection. Remember, your real estate agent is your best resource throughout the entire listing process. They are there to guide you through each part of the transaction and answer any questions that you have. Rector Hayden REALTORS® are trained to handle the different situations that occur in our market and are dedicated to the success of your sale.
