If you’re selling your first home, you might as well get ready for the inspection because it’s almost inevitable. The purpose of an inspection is to document the overall condition of your home and to ensure that all the major components and systems are functioning properly.
Depending on the size of your home, an inspection can take up to four hours, sometimes more. So you should try to make it as smooth and successful as possible with these 4 things you need to prepare for a home inspection in DMV.
4 Things You Need To Prepare For A Home Inspection In DMV
1. Fix Interior Problems
Besides thoroughly cleaning and staging the inside of your home, you should also fix all the small problems you can find. Taken individually, they may not seem very important, but, together, they can add up to a big red flag for the buyer and a major headache for you. Here’s a sort of checklist:
- Check the major appliances – they need to be clean and working well and efficiently.
- Make sure all electrical outlets and light switches (as well as bulbs) are working properly.
- Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and replace weak or dead batteries.
- Fix leaky or dripping faucets and make sure drains are working well.
- Check toilets for a good flush and signs of leakage.
- Fix sticking or improperly closing doors and windows.
- Replace filters in air conditioning and heating units.
2. Prep the Exterior
You probably already know if the exterior of your home needs any major repairs like a new roof or foundation repair – these are usually fairly obvious. But just as with the interior of your home, the smaller exterior issues can add up to bad news when inspection time rolls around. So here are a few things you should take care of:
- Check siding and trim for damage and make needed repairs/replacements.
- Touch up any places where the paint is faded, chipped, or peeling.
- Replace missing or damaged roof shingles/tiles.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts and repair any bad spots cleaning reveals.
- Make sure the garage door is working properly and is easy to open and close.
- Perform yard maintenance and minor landscaping to provide curb appeal.
3. Keep Utilities On and Pilots Lit
If you’re not living in the home, you may be tempted to have the utilities shut off to save a little money. But you need to keep them on because the inspector will have to test the appliances – stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, air conditioner, furnace. The inspector will also have to test electrical outlets for grounding and reverse polarity, which requires the power to be on.
If the inspector arrives at the scheduled time and finds that the utilities aren’t on, he will have to reschedule. This will delay closing and may affect the buyer’s inspection contingency clause. The inspector may also charge the buyer a re-inspection fee, which could further jeopardize closing.
4. Provide Access to Critical Areas
Many people don’t think of this as one of the important steps you need to take to prepare a home for inspection in DMV, but it could turn out to be one of the most important. Remove all the objects and furniture that block or make inconvenient access to the heater, air conditioner, and water heater, ensuring three to four feet of working space near and around each.
Often, inspectors will not move anything themselves. If an inspector doesn’t have access to any of these critical systems, he may suggest you call in a specialist for their inspection. And a specialist is far more likely to find problems and issues.
Also, make sure to clear a path so the inspector can easily access your attic and basement. It’s simply a good idea to do everything you can to make the inspector well disposed toward you and your home.
If you prepare for a home inspection in DMV, you’ll be ahead of the game. It could very well mean the difference between a quick closing or having to keep your house on the market months longer.