06.20.2017 | Renovations

7 Steps to A Successful Home Inspection

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If you’re selling your home, the thought of a home inspection might be enough to keep you up at night for weeks on end. Does it have to be that stressful, though? Having a home inspector come into your home, alongside your prospective buyer, can be stressful – but it can be seamless if you know what to do.

Here are the 7 easy steps you can follow for having your very own successful home inspection today:

#1 – Play the Role Of “Home Inspector”

While this doesn’t mean hiring your own home inspector to come in, it does mean putting your best “home inspector” hat on and taking a critical look around. You can do it easily on your own, or with a qualified agent, but you’ll want to start by taking stock of what’s fine, what could be better, and what’s broken. Don’t let a home inspector surprise you with problems that you didn’t know were in your home.

 

#2 – Restore Your Curb Appeal

When it comes to repairs, start with the outside of your home and the kinds of repairs you could make on your own. Do you have loose steps, problems with your gutters, or trim issues? Fix them up, while also taking into consideration of the shape of your roof. It’s no surprise that buyers are likely to hone in on any potential problems with your roof, so make sure that it’s presentable from the moment they arrive.

 

#3 – Sweat the Small Stuff 

While some might tell you that fixing a loose step or giving your home a fresh coat of paint won’t do anything for a home inspection, you might want to still consider it. It’s an opportunity to make your home as presentable as possible, and it shows a home inspector and buyer that you have taken care of your home. It’s also an opportunity to eliminate the potential for inspectors and buyers to get fixated on smaller issues around the home.

 

#4 Control Your Cooling and Handle Your Heating 

The heating and cooling systems in your home are going to be a major sticking point, for both an inspector and a buyer. They’re going to want to make sure that these are both working properly because of the investment involved in repairing or replacing them. Have your systems inspected and serviced, so that you know for sure whether this might be an issue moving forward.

 

#5 – Leave No Stone Unturned 

Are you worried about checking the state of your foundation, or do you have the sneaking suspicion that you might have mold or mildew in your basement? Ignoring the problem doesn’t do anyone any good, and it can make for a very unpleasant surprise for yourself, the inspector, and the buyer of your home. Take the plunge, and acknowledge some of the “big problems” you might have lurking around your home.

 

#6 – Be Proactive 

If you have found something that needs fixing, before a home inspector has made it into your home, go about fixing it yourself. Not only with this make the negotiation process less arduous, but it allows you to have the repairs made without the presence of the buyer – who might have their own say into how things are done (and who does them).

 

#7 – Work with The Right People 

Have you spent this whole time worried about how you’d even be able to inspect your own home? If you’re selling, you want to make sure you’re working with the right people who can help you in the process, and who can connect you with the right people to make your problems disappear. Always make sure you’re working with the right agent, who has the skills and expertise to make the home inspection process seamless.

If you’re ready to sell your home but aren’t sure if your home is ready to be sold, contact me today. We can have a conversation about your needs, your home’s needs, and getting the most value for your home.

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