Before the Inspection…Tips
for Sellers
By Frank Ross
Congratulations! Your agent called with a buyer for your house!
Shortly after you accept their offer, the buyer will usually hire a
professional Home Inspector. The inspector won’t care if your
drapes match the carpet or if a breakfast bowl is left in the sink.
He’s interested in structure and systems, not cosmetics. A little
preparation in advance of the inspection can help the inspector give
your buyer a report that answers their questions—and thereby
reinforces their decision to buy your home.
A qualified home inspector will visually examine the structure,
crawl space, attic, mechanical components, plumbing, electrical, and
all interior rooms, as well as closets. I need to flush toilets,
run faucets, dishwashers, and air conditioners. I look under
bathroom sinks! A visual inspection report does not pass or fail a
house, but simply describes the house and points out good features
as well as items in need of repair or replacement.
You can help by having keys available to any locked doors or gates
(don’t forget the lock on the electrical panel), removing obstacles
around water heaters and other appliances, removing items from
closets that provide access to attics, and so on. Be ready to
indicate the location of components that may be concealed by
landscape vegetation such as the water meter, main sewer cleanout,
etc.
Eliminate limitations on the inspection by clearing stored items or
debris away from the house, making certain the entire perimeter of
the house can be observed. Don’t forget the inspector will need
access to the detached garage or guest house. Move boxes and stored
items away from interior walls. Items stored in the attic should be
removed or at least cleared away to allow safe access.
Inside, move fragile items away from windows. Take pets to a friend
or neighbor or lock them in a kennel.
The Home Inspector may be one of the nosiest houseguests you’ll ever
have, but a little advance work will make the inspection experience
more pleasant for you and more informative for your buyer.
Frank Ross is a Certified Utah Home Inspector for Pillar to Post
Professional Home Inspection and a full member of the National
Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Readers may contact Mr.
Ross at (435) 867-6400 or
frank.ross@pillartopost.com. You can learn more about Pillar To
Post Professional Home Inspection at
www.pillarposthomeinspection.com
