Home sellers tend to underestimate the importance of home inspections. Some think home inspections are only for home buyers, but that doesn't mean sellers can rest easy. A home inspection allows home sellers to be sure that the buyer is at ease with their purchase. That said, preparation is key to ensure that your home inspection is a success...
The first tip is an obvious one, but the most important; keeping your house neat:
Clean Your House First
A little preparation can go a long way, and might even help you sell your home for more money. Just remember that the more work you do, the fewer work buyers have to do, which means you can usually list your price for a little higher.
Maybe this is an obvious step, but you’d be surprised at how many times we’ve seen cluttered homes on inspection day. Clean homes say that you care about your home and keep it well maintained. Inspectors might have preconceived ideas about the rest of your home just because it’s messy.
Home buyers will be coming in and out of your house, so you`ll want to ensure that they have a good time. This eases up the whole purchase process, getting you closer to the sale.
Next is to provide full disclosure regarding repairs. A new post from Quickbooks Intuit shares why it is ideal to let both home inspector and buyer know beforehand about any repairs and maintenance needed:
Providing Full Disclosure Regarding Repairs
Most properties aren’t perfect, and that’s understandable. Buyers understand that there may be some issues. What’s important is that you’re upfront about any repairs the home needs.
If the home has any appliances that aren’t working properly, leaks, or other concerns, it’s wise to let the buyers know right away. Home inspectors are good at what they do, and the odds of them missing something are low. By disclosing everything in advance, it shows the buyers you’re trustworthy and helps you avoid any unpleasant surprises.
It also helps the inspector to know what repairs and maintenance have already been performed. The easiest way to keep track of this and to verify it to the inspector is to hang on to any documents on home repairs. h/t quickbooks.intuit.com
There's no need to hide from home inspectors, as the better ones will find faults anyway. However, leaving it to the home inspector, whether yours' or the sellers', will make you look dishonest, which will negatively affect your reputation during the
home selling process.
Don't cover up any repairs or maintenance needed in your house!
Lastly, is finding a place you can stay while your home buyer inspects your house. A recent post from Paul Rush Forth discusses why it is a good thing to not be present during the home inspection:
Have a Place to Go During the Inspection
A home inspection is where buyers learn about any major issues your home has, as well as another chance for buyers to picture themselves living there.
But it’s hard to focus on the house when the current owner is hanging around.
They’ll feel like a guest in a place they want to call home. This makes them less likely to engage with the home and the inspection.
Home buyers need to be able to ask blunt questions about the condition of your home. read more at paulrushforth.com
It might be tempting to stay in the house, but it would be most likely do more harm than good. Not being present in the inspection process is a good way of letting the home buyers feel the sense of ownership of your house, which could be a huge factor in their decision.