Ten Tips to Speed Up Your Home Inspection
Seller can speed up their inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother with fewer concerns to delay closing.
- 1. Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights
- burning.
- 2. Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed
- from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.
- 3. Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "Light is inoperable" report that may
- suggest an electrical problem.
- 4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
- 5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
- 6. Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited
- as "conducive conditions" for termites.
- 7. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels,
- water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.
- 8. Unlock areas the inspector must access - attic doors or hatches, electric
- service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.
- 9. Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow
- access.
- 10. Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches;
- windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.
Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property. Your real estate agent will thank you!