Getting Ready For A Home Inspection
If you're selling your home, there's a good chance that your buyer will be looking for a home inspector. And, in Albany, NY, home inspectors pay very close attention to the details. You should expect to be away for a minimum of three hours, and before you leave, you should go through this checklist to make sure the home inspection goes off without a hitch.
Clean Up
The first step in preparing for your home inspection is to simply clean up a bit. A home inspector, just like anybody is already going to have preconceived notions about what makes a home "well maintained" by the owner. If you tidy things up, you make it easier for them to spot things (instead of it maybe seeming like you're trying to cover something up) while also showing that your home has been kept cleaned and nicely maintained throughout the time you've lived there. That will help the home inspector have confidence in the home overall.
Make sure that there is space around your air conditioner, furnace, and water heater for the inspector to look things over. Keep in mind that, if they can't get to it themselves, they may have the buyer call in a specialist to check things out up close. A specialist is going to be more likely to spot problems with these big ticket appliances that the general inspector won't, and it will further delay the selling process.
Be On Time
The home inspector is going to be on time, so make sure you are there to meet them. In fact, have the house ready early in case they get there ahead of schedule. The home inspector will begin by looking at the exterior of the home, so don't be surprised if you peer out the window around appointment time and see that they are already in the yard starting their inspection.
Make sure that you have provided them with access to your garage and attic, and that they have keys to get into the home and everywhere else they may need to see if you aren't going to be home the entire time. Also provide access to any outbuildings or locked electrical boxes.
Leave Utilities On
Although you may be planning on moving out soon, the home inspector is going to turn on the stove, run the dishwasher, test any central air systems, and look into the other utilities, so leave the water and power running. If utilities aren't on, the home inspector will have to reschedule because it's impossible to check the grounding and reverse polarity of receptacles if the power isn't on. A re-inspection fee may be charged if the home inspector has to come back again.
You should also keep your pilot lights ignited. Most will refuse to light the pilot lights themselves since they typically do not carry insurance that would cover them for liability/risk if things go wrong. If the pilot lights are not on, the inspections of the water heater, gas stove, or the furnace may be delayed.
Get Your Paperwork
Has anything been repaired or remodeled? You'll need to provide the inspector with the paperwork about any new items, like a new furnace you have had installed. If you have upgrading your house's wiring from ungrounded to grounded, put in a new dishwasher, or eve fixed a leaky faucet, you should get all your paperwork for this. It will give your buyer added peace of mind that you have maintained the home properly.
Thank you for reading my blogs.
The Author Adam Clark is the owner and operator of Shield Guard Home Inspections. Adam Clark is a local Home Inspector located in Albany NY that has performed over 6000 Inspections.
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