How To Prepare For A Home Inspection: Tips For Sellers

Preparing for a home inspection can be stressful for sellers, but taking the right steps beforehand can help make the process smoother. To help you feel confident, we reached out to home inspection professionals from Houston to Miami and asked them to share their top tips for sellers. Here’s what they recommend to ensure your home inspection goes off without a hitch.

Hire a professional

The first step in how to prepare for a home inspection is to hire a professional and reputable home inspector.
– Evolve Property Inspections

Leave the house during the inspection

Prepare to be out of the house for at least three hours to allow time for the inspection. Buyers are often present during the inspection; they may feel uncomfortable asking questions if the seller is present. If you are unable to remove animals from the property, be sure they are crated or otherwise secured.
– Safe Check Home Inspections

Clean and declutter

Have a clean house with nothing blocking the access to the attic.
– Florida State Home Inspectors

The house needs to be in a clean, orderly, and readily accessible condition. Stored items, personal items, and furniture greatly impact the ability to test and inspect numerous systems throughout the home. Is the sink full of dishes? Are the moving boxes blocking access to the air conditioner and water heater in the garage? Access issues during an inspection do not reflect well on the report and could also be a negative for the buyer.
– Brett The Home Inspector

Declutter as much as possible prior to your inspection. Inspectors and buyers are turned off and triggered by clutter and grime.
– Southern Brothers Inspections

Replace light bulbs

Replace all dead light bulbs inside and out prior to inspection. If you are using low wattage bulbs, replace them with nice, bright lights prior to inspection. Bright lights may help your house show better as well.
– Spot On Inspection

Keep safety hazards top of mind

Basic safety features, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are some of the most commonly overlooked items we find inspecting homes. Sellers should make sure to have, preferably new, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in the hallways and bedrooms of the property. Not having these things in order before the inspection can indicate that the home has not been well maintained and will lead to items being called out as “Safety Hazards” which can potentially turn buyers away.
– Golden Gate Home Inspections

Lack of proper GFI protection is a common issue I find at inspections – especially older homes. Short for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a GFI (also known as GFCI) is a type of electrical outlet designed to protect you and your family against electrical shock. These receptacles can save your life and should be present where water or the potential of wetness exists like outside the house, washing machine area, and garages even though no plumbing may exist.
– Meticulous Home Inspection Corporation

Remove pets from the house

Do not leave pets in the house to “help” during the inspection.
– Eagle Eye Inspections

Clear access

Make sure that any attic or crawl space entry points are free from obstructions and/or unlocked so that we do not have to disclaim those areas as “not inspected” or have to make a return trip to inspect, usually at an additional cost.
– HomeCheck Inspection Services

It is very important that all utilities are on, pilot lights are lit, and that there is clear access to all electrical panels, hot water heaters, attic access panels, etc. Without these things being in place, the inspection will likely need to be rescheduled, which could hold up the closing.
– Blue Mountain Home Inspection

Remove any vegetation that may be obstructing access to the exterior of the home.
– Americas Choice Commercial Building Inspections

Be on the lookout for mold

A mold inspection is a specialized part of a home inspection. They work together to give the purchaser a more complete picture of the condition of the property. Of course, it’s not only limited to purchasers. Mold and moisture investigations are also a preventative maintenance aspect of property ownership as well. All that said, when preparing for a mold and moisture investigation, we can most effectively evaluate a property if it is in a static condition. That means windows closed, no vacuuming, all air purifiers/humidifiers/dehumidifiers/free-standing-fans should be switched off for 24-hours prior to an inspection.
– Mold Inspection Sciences

When getting ready to sell, you can remove small amounts of mold using full-strength undiluted white vinegar and touch up with mold-killing primer paint. But if you have more serious mold issues, you’ll need to have a certified inspector investigate and provide you a solution. The good news is that during the negotiation phase of the purchase, the buyer may be willing to share the costs of mitigation.
– Dog Gone Mold

If it is a crawl space house, look on the floor joist for hazy white coating, or white snow looking growth. This is normally Aspergillus, a toxin-making mold.
– NWA Mold and Asbestos Inspector

Originally published by Redfin

How to Prepare for Home Inspection as a Seller –– A Checklist

1. Declutter and Clean
   Ensure all areas, including basements, attics, and closets, are accessible for inspection. A clean home gives a good impression.
2. Fix Minor Repairs
   Address minor issues like leaky faucets, loose door handles, and cosmetic damage. These small fixes can make a big difference.
3. Check for Mold and Water Damage
   Inspect high-risk areas like bathrooms, basements, and around windows for mold. If you find any, consider scheduling a mold inspection to avoid surprises.
4. Service Major Systems
   Make sure your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems are working properly. Get a professional to service your systems before the inspection if needed.
5. Gather Documentation
   Prepare receipts and warranties for major repairs, renovations, or new appliances. This shows you’ve been maintaining the home.

Frequently Asked Home Inspection Questions

Is it normal to be nervous about a home inspection?

Yes, it's completely normal to feel nervous about a home inspection, whether you're buying or selling a property. For buyers, a home inspection is a crucial step in the purchasing process that can reveal significant issues with the property, affecting the final decision or negotiation terms. For sellers, an inspection can uncover problems that might need to be fixed before the sale can proceed, potentially affecting the sale price or causing delays. The uncertainty of what the inspection may uncover contributes to the nervousness.

What is the most important inspection for a house?

The most important inspection for a house is typically the general home inspection. This comprehensive evaluation covers a wide range of systems and components in the house and provides a detailed overview of the property's condition. The general home inspection is crucial because it can identify significant issues that could impact the safety, functionality, and value of the home.

What is the riskiest part of a home inspection?

The riskiest part of a home inspection from a buyer's or seller's perspective often revolves around discovering significant structural issues, major system failures, or environmental hazards. These areas are considered risky because they can entail substantial financial, safety, and legal implications.