Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Selling Your Home: Passing the Inspection


So you are under contract for the sale of your home...great!  But now comes the dreaded inspection.  The bad new?  A "flawless" home does not exist.  The good news?  The inspection does not have to be painful.  The following tips will help you sail easily....and painlessly...through your inspection to closing!

1) Know your home.  Be aware of the state of the critical items that will be examined.  Know their year and functionality...and fix what you can before hand.

  • HVAC System
  • Electrical Systems
  • Plumbing Systems
  • Sewer Lines
  • Roof 
  • Water Heater
  • Foundations
  • Windows
  • Gutters/ Downspouts

2) Fix the little things.  Fix the obvious little things that will be noticed by the buyers and inspector.  Make sure knobs, handles, and faucets are on correctly and in working order.  Check that all included appliances are functioning properly.  Repair cracked tile, chipped paint, etc.

3) Make it easy on the inspector.  Make sure your home is clean, pets are out of the house, all necessary keys are present, and receipts and invoices for repairs and updates are left out neatly in a folder.  Label any hard to find electrical boxes or crawl spaces.  And leave the house for the inspection.  Staying at the home with just aggravate the buyers and inspector.

Remember- all houses, with the exception of brand new homes, are "used" and will have their share of quirks and flaws.  By concentrating on the big safety items and easy cosmetic fixes you will be on your way to a successful closing!

*Check out this great virtual tool from the American Society of Home Inspectors of what home inspectors look for in your home.






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