21 Simple Things Sellers Can Fix for a Better Inspection!

One of the most important parts of the home buying/selling process is the home inspection. This gives buyers a really good look at what exactly they are purchasing, and whether that specific property will be a good investment or not. The home inspection covers things like foundation, electrical and plumbing systems, and general safety of the home, and allows the future owners a chance to really understand the ins and outs of the property. 

As the seller, the home inspection can be a nerve-wrecking part of the process, but it *doesnt* have to be! There are things you can do upfront to ensure you have a better outcome on the report, and will show the potential buyers that you took quality care of the home you have lived in and loved!

Lets start with outside the house:

1. Make sure gutters are free of debris and growing plants! Having clogged gutters obstructs your water drainage, which increases the possibility for leaks and improper drainage around your home’s foundation.

2. Verify your splash block under your gutter drain is turned the correct direction. When the splash block is backwards, the water will not drain properly, which could cause puddling around the foundation.

3. Install back-flow preventers on all outdoor faucets. For about $6 at your favorite home department store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc), you can find back-flow preventers. This will help keep clean drinking water source for your home free of contamination.

4. (Pier and beam) Check under your house and around the foundation to ensure there is no trash. Crawl spaces should be clean and open, which will help inspectors see that there is no animal activity and be able to safely inspect the structures for their integrity.

5. Check all exterior walls/roof for plants touching them. No plants should touch any side of the house or roof. Often times trees that overhang will start growing into the house and cause damage and leaking, so just trim them back enough that they are off the home.

6. All fasteners on the roof should be covered. If they are showing, its possible they could leak water into the home.

Now for the inside:

7. Verify all batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are fresh and check to be sure the detectors work.

8. Replace any cracked or broken wall plates (outlet and light switch covers). 

9. Any missing screws in wall plates should be filled with an appropriately fitting screw to tighten the plate. 

10. Replace all burnt out or missing light bulbs. Inspectors are not required to check to see if its the fixture that is malfunctioning or if the bulb is just out, so go ahead and have all fixtures correctly lit.

11. Your oven/range should have anti-tip attachments. These can be small brackets the back feet slide into that are secured to the baseboards, or a chain that attaches to the wall behind it.

12. Verify all door handles are working properly and are not loose

13. All doors should open and close properly.

14. Doors in attached garages that lead inside the house should be fire-safe. 

15. Proper weather stripping around exterior doors

16. The electrical panel should be safely accessible with plenty of room to maneuver around it. About 3ft in front and 3 ft wide space.

17. Label the electrical panel spaces, and fill in any missing switches with filler plates.

18. Window locks work properly

19. Pull-down attic stairs should be clean-no insulation or animal droppings

20. Clean all animal droppings and dispose of rat traps…especially if they have a catch!!

21. Install a new, clean air filter into the AC unit

Most of these items are simple and free to check, or will cost a minimal amount with respect to their benefit! 

If you know of any others I could add to the list, feel free to shoot me a message and I can add it to help each other out!