The Complete Sellers Guide To Home Inspections

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Home inspection is frightening to most sellers, and this is especially true when you are a first-time seller. So many thoughts go through your head including what the inspector will discover, and the potential impacts on the sale should there be defects.

What you need to understand is the fact that all sellers go through this phase and you shouldn’t be alarmed. The good news is that there are certain aspects that you can control to ensure you influence the process to favor you. It almost seems unbelievable, right? Well, I am here to tell you that it is not and you come out of the home inspection stage just fine.

In this sellers’ guide, we will take an in-depth look into what the entire home inspection process entails, what you need to do to be ready for the inspection, and your options should you get negative results. Whether its Los Angeles, Arizona, or San Francisco houses, the steps remain the same.

The home inspection process

According to research, a seller is usually, if not always, biased because they tend to think that their property is in better condition than how it really is. Buyers on the other hand want to ensure that they get their money’s worth. You can probably already deduce that there is bound to be a problem somewhere.

What makes the home inspection just a tad bit more complicated is the presence of the inspector. Understand that the inspector is paid to deliver what the buyer expects from the purchase. Most of the time, the problems that the seller wasn’t even aware of end up making a big impact on someone’s decision to buy the property.

When you decide to sell your house, there are so many responsibilities that you must take care of within a short period. This means that you are likely to oversee certain aspects and it’s quite normal. To give you some perspective, we’ve highlighted how home inspections roll out.

An offer is placed by a buyer and the seller agrees.

The buyer offers contingent upon certified inspection in most cases.

The buyer’s lender orders a home inspection.

The home inspector sets up a suitable time that is convenient for the seller.

An inspection of about three hours is conducted.

During the inspection, both the interior and exterior of the house will be examined. Note that wear and tear are expected for most homes. What most concerns the inspector is serious problems that could affect the functionality, safety, and appearance of the home. It’s a wonder you see several houses for sale in Arizona that seem a little worn out.

Preparing for the home inspection

There is not so much you can do to prepare for a home inspection. You should have prepared for the inspection years ago by taking adequate care of your property. A well-maintained home hardly experiences any hiccups during the home inspection process. Experts advise you to ask yourself one simple question at least twice a year- if I was to sell my house today, would I make a profit?

However, what is done is done and there is nothing we can do about that. Ensure you follow the steps below to get a positive home inspection result.

Mold and mildew

Inspect your crawlspace or basement for mildew or mold and take care of it. Molds are a huge red flag to inspectors since it is a sign of major issues in the long run. Ensure you do whatever it takes to get rid of mold and mildew in your home.

Most buyers shy away from any house with mold or mildew because it is a sign of structural damage. Remember that you need your buyer to have confidence that they are purchasing a permanent home. Houses in Arizona are most affected and sellers need to be very careful.

Chimney and roof

Among the key areas that inspectors hardly miss are the roof and chimney. If there are any defects with either your roof or chimney, you need to ensure that you sort it out as quickly as possible. The fireplace will also be keenly examined and you need to be prepared for that. Houses in Los Angeles are prone to roofing problems and you need to be careful.

Electrical problems

When it comes to electricity, you have to ensure that all your bulbs are working, all areas near water have installed GFCI outlets, and there are no visible cords. Once the inspector finds all the above to be in order, they hardly start going into details which guarantees a positive result in this field.

Plumbing issues

There should be no signs of water damage or leaks in your home during the inspection. Although moisture and stains will be on top of the list, expect your drainage and water pressure to be equally checked. Some inspectors flush dye down your toilet to check your septic tank for any hidden drainage issues.

Clean your home

Yes, a dirty home may not directly impact the report, but it won’t help you get a positive review. Just the simple act of cleaning your home shows the inspector that the home is usually well maintained. Cleaning the dishes and floors doesn’t take that much time. For example, there are numerous houses for sale in san Francisco but having yours clean could be the deciding factor of whether or not you make a fast sale.

What if you get a negative report

When you decide to sell your house be ready for anything including a negative home inspection result. Buyers are most likely going to back out if you get a bad home inspection report. What you need to do is relax and wait for the buyer’s decision. Most buyers will ask for a price reduction or request for repairs. Understand that buyers don’t expect to find a perfect house.

However, it is important that you take care of all the issues highlighted in this article to get a positive report. A negative report gives the buyers an upper hand.

Conclusion

An inspection report is not as scary as it may seem. As you have already learned, there are several measures that you can take to ensure that you get a positive report. The best way to assure yourself of a good inspection report is to maintain your home constantly.

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