- Real Estate Professionals
- Homebuyers & Sellers
- Inspection Services
- Energy Division
- Resources
A home inspection can be a vital tool when selling a home—it’s not just for potential buyers. A pre-listing inspection can help your client to determine areas of concern or repair and remove any surprises that could be used as price negotiation points during the home sale process. While it is important to allow the home inspector to be nit-picky when going throughout your home to ensure a thorough inspection is done, there are some things that you can prepare (or fix) before the home inspector arrives to make the process move smoother and for fewer things of concern to be noted that could alarm your buyer. The following information is a guide throughout certain parts of the house to prepare it for your pre-listing home inspection.
Doorbell – Check to ensure yours is working and properly installed on the wall.
Grading – Ever notice if certain areas of your yard tend to flood or hold water? If so, poor grading may be noted on your inspection. Perform some basic landscaping to improve grading.
Gutters and Downspouts – Ensure gutters are clear of debris and that downspouts are not clogged and are adequately directing water away from your home.
Driveway – Major cracks can be unsightly but could also indicate potential grading or foundation issues.
Siding/Exterior Paint – Paint and/or exterior siding help prevent moisture intrusion. Peeling paint can be a sign of potential water damage and broken pieces of siding can lead to water intrusion—in addition to being cosmetically unappealing. Check for water damage and repair any found issues.
Trees, Bushes, and Shrubs – Ensure your landscaping is well trimmed. It adds curb appeal but also helps reduce the risk of bugs and other issues.
Fascia and Soffits – Check and repair damage. Enhance cosmetic appeal by cleaning these surfaces.
The windows of your home will be reviewed by a home inspector to ensure the following are met:
This may seem like minor details, but minor details can make or break the sale of your home.
Pipes and the plumbing system are one of the major areas inspected during a home inspection. In addition to ensuring the materials and installation (that can be seen) are up to code, home inspectors will also check the following:
Water Pressure: from all water sources around the home.
Toilets: flushes and fills properly, water leaking, loose install, etc.
Showers/Tubs: faucets work properly, hot/cold work appropriately, properly sealed, water pressure, drainage, etc.
Faucets: working properly, hot/cold work appropriately, water pressure, etc.
Septic Systems: noted if one is used over city sewer system; however, a septic inspection is separate from a home inspection. General maintenance, like monthly septic treatments, should still be adhered to up until the home is sold to ensure proper functioning for the new owner.
Many homes are sold with major appliances left for the new buyer. These major appliances are checked to ensure they are functioning properly during a home inspection. Check the following major appliances (as well as any others you are including in the sale of your home) for proper functioning, leaks, odd sounds, wobbling, or other concerns. Have them serviced, not them “as is” in your listing’s description or be prepared for possible negotiations or stipulations from a potential buyer.
Enable a thorough pre-listing home inspection to occur by making sure all access points are free and clear of debris and can easily be entered or reviewed during the home inspection.
While this list can seem extensive, the home inspector will go through many other parts of your home that will be much more tedious than this. Ensuring that some if not all of these suggested areas above are in order can alleviate time off of both you and the inspector, as well as stress off of the homeowner and prospective buyer.
Looking for more information on home inspections or looking to set up an appointment to have your client’s home inspected before putting the home up for sale? AcuSystem Inspections provides both pre-listing and pre-purchase home inspections. Our goal is helping people to understand their biggest purchase—even if they are putting it up for sale. Schedule your home inspection by calling our office at (833) 228-7978 anytime! We are available by phone 24/7 and service nearly all Central Florida.
