A very important part of the home-selling process is the home inspection. An adverse home inspection could be a deal breaker, even after an offer is secured. For home owners, the thought of somebody going through their residence making notes about every thing that’s wrong might be nerve wracking. Even so, there are steps you can take that will help ensure a complementary home inspection and cut down on negative comments in the inspection report. The good news is that many of these actions are achievable at either no cost or low cost.
Clean The Home
To start with, give your home a really good cleaning. An unclean house gives the impression that it has been inadequately taken care of. While you are cleaning, be sure to switch out the furnace filter and clean the air returns. If you have a wood stove or fireplace, employ the services of a professional to clean them and the chimney. Ensure that access to any locations subject to inspection, such as the crawlspace, attic, garage, and basement are devoid of obstacles. Remove any harmful chemicals such as solvents, paints, fuel, and gas from those areas. home inspection sacramento ca
Make Repairs
Lots of the following repairs are low cost. However, when you make repairs, do them correctly and don’t cut corners. Saving a buck here or there may inadvertently attract the attention of the inspector and unnecessarily raise questions relating to your house.
* Test each and all smoke detectors. If they are battery operated install new batteries.
* Make sure that that all tubs, toilets, faucets, and sinks work properly. If needed, replace the caulk in bathrooms and kitchen.
* Check and make sure that the bathroom vents are in working order
* Ensure all the doors and windows operate correctly. Switch out any cracked glass panes or panels in addition to damaged or torn window screens.
* Verify that all electrical outlets around sinks and faucets are GFCI rated.
* Confirm that none of the light bulbs are burned out.
* Make sure the masonry walls in the basement are sealed.
* If your basement has a sump pump, be sure that it works correctly.
* If not present, add window wells and covers.
Prepare the Crawlspace
To boost the possibility of a decent report before the home inspector examines your crawlspace:
* Make sure that the crawlspace is dry; remove any moisture from the crawlspace.
* If necessary, put in a vapor barrier.
Do not Neglect the Outside
Investing a little elbow grease into improving the exterior of your home can go a long way to making it easier for the home inspector and for reducing adverse comments. home inspection sacramento ca
* Ensure all outside wall penetrations (any thing that penetrates or emerges from the outside wall) are correctly sealed or caulked.
* If you have a deck, verify that there is proper grading under it.
* Eliminate any firewood or rotting wood that may be touching the home.
* Patch any broken mortar.
* Paint any weathered exterior wood.
* Put new caulk all around the doors, windows, chimney, and trim.
* Confirm there is six inches or more of clearance between the siding and grade or mulch.
* Clean the gutters and eliminate debris from the roof.
* Make sure that the grading makes all water (such as from downspouts) move away from the house.
* Set up metal flue caps and seal masonry chimney caps.
* If you have an asphalt driveway, seal any cracks.
Do not be surprised if you get some adverse comments in the home inspection. No house is “perfect,” and each and every house gets adverse comments.