Many home seekers are surprised to learn how many fees are contained in closing costs, from appraisal to title searches and even commission for your realtor.
While many of these fees and services are essential to purchasing a home, no service pays dividends quite like a home inspection.
According to a recent analysis from Porch.com, buyers were able to reduce the final sales price of their home by $14,000, on average, by using their inspection report as a negotiating tool.
As a seller, we often recommend a pre-listing inspection to avoid unknowns on a buyer’s inspection and make necessary repairs before going to market. However, there are many things you can do before a home inspection to make your report better and strengthen your position during future negotiations over the price of your home.
Importance of a Home Inspection
Before delving into the specific steps that homeowners should take before an inspection, it’s important to reiterate the benefits of a home inspection for all types of homeowners, whether you are a buyer, seller, or dweller.
- Avoid Safety Issues: Home inspections cover every inch of your property from the foundation to the roof. By uncovering any unknown defects that may threaten the safety of residents, homeowners can make timely repairs that help avoid incidents or further exacerbations of the problem.
- Avoid Expensive Repairs: By uncovering unknown issues, homeowners can prevent superficial issues, such as cracks in their foundation, before they become more substantial issues.
- Use as a Negotiating Tool: Receiving a clean inspection report or making any necessary repairs can enhance the value of your home when you go to sell.
- Allow Sufficient Time to Make Repairs: Performing a pre-listing inspection will allow homeowners enough time to make repairs that could delay the sale indefinitely.
What Should Homeowners Do Before a Home Inspection?
Perception is reality. Even if your inspection report is littered with superficial or cosmetic issues, it could turn off potential buyers or be used against you in negotiations.
Fortunately, homeowners and sellers are not powerless to fix or clean up their home inspections. By doing so preemptively, they can enhance the value of their homes and strengthen their negotiations. Here are some steps we recommend homeowners take before a home inspection to improve their inspection report.
1. Clean Tidy Up
There are several things you can do to clean up your inspection report without ever having to touch a power tool:
- Clean all our air filters, including HVAC and furnace filters
- Sanitize and clean off any visible mold on surfaces, including attic roofs and above basement drop ceilings
- Declutter attic and basement spaces, allowing sufficient room for ventilation
- Clean bathroom tiles, including any evidence of mold
- Clean out areas underneath sinks where moisture tends to accumulate
Cleaning your home will also lower your risk of pests during the warmer months, which may show up on an inspection report.
2. Perform a Visual Inspection for Issues
You can easily spot and fix any cosmetic issues in your home by doing a light visual inspection. Some ideas include:
- Replacing any burnt-out light bulbs
- Testing appliances for proper functionality
- Checking for any leaks around pipes
- Inspecting and sealing any exterior cracks that might invite pests
- Ensure toilets and sinks flow properly
3. Repair Known Issues
If there are any known issues that you would otherwise have to disclose or know will come out on the inspection report, being proactive will help save you time and money. Even small repairs, such as replacing broken screens, finishing decks, and patching any holes or cracks, can go a long way in building a positive perception of your home.
4. Complete Unfinished Home Improvement Projects
In the same way, we recommend completing any unfinished home improvement projects, such as new tiling or flooring, before putting your home on the market.
5. Make Small Efficiency Improvements
Home efficiency is not something many homeowners think about, but it’s an important part of your home inspection report. Small improvements, like smart thermometers, upgrading your insulation, or installing a more efficient HVAC system, will allow you to charge a higher price and will make your inspection report look better.
6. Landscape
The exterior of your home is just as important as the outside, so creating a positive perception with some expert landscaping can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. In some cases, trimming an overgrown tree or eliminating a pesky stinging insect’s nest will also avoid potential red flags on your home inspection report.
7. Allow Inspectors Plenty of Room to Operate
Finally, it’s important that homeowners give home inspectors plenty of room to perform their jobs. Be sure to:
- Remove any pets from the property that may interfere with the inspector
- Leave keys to all equipment
- Remove dishes and laundry from appliances
- Ensure that inspectors have proper access to all appliances and utilities, including septic systems
These tasks will allow your home inspector to get a clear and uncompromised view of your home so that any unknowns do not pop up on a future inspector’s report.
While most of us understand the importance of a home inspection, there are many things that you can do to improve your inspection report and be proactive about repairs. This will strengthen your negotiating position and help expedite the sale of your home by barring any delays due to the unknown.
FAQs
How long does a home inspection typically take?
A typical home inspection takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size and condition of the home.
What should I expect the inspector to check?
Inspectors usually check the structure (foundation, roof, walls), exterior (siding, windows), plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, insulation, ventilation, and appliances. They also look for signs of water damage, pests, and other potential issues.
Do I need to fix everything the inspector finds?
Not necessarily. The inspection report is typically used for negotiation between the buyer and seller. Some issues may need immediate attention, while others could be minor or cosmetic.