If you’re selling your home, the buyers may include a home inspection clause in the purchase and sale agreement. Knowing how to prepare for the inspection will make the process go more smoothly and help to ensure your buyers won't back out of the deal. These steps below will help you prepare for the home inspector’s arrival, avoid surprises, and save money.

Preparing Your House for a Home Inspection

Unclutter & Clean

To make the home inspector’s job easier, get rid of clutter and clean your house. A home inspection requires examining the physical condition of your home and its systems from foundation to roof, so every pathway and access point should be unlocked, clear, and well-lit. Utilities should be on, and any appliances you are leaving with the property, such as the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher should be clean and functional.

Test & Repair

Home inspectors use detailed checklists to catch problem areas. They look for dripping faucets, broken light switches and window locks, worn grout and caulking, missing weatherstripping and roofing shingles, and disconnected heating ducts. By fixing or replacing items as do-it-yourself projects, you will save money by doing them before the home inspection. Otherwise, the buyer may use existing issues as leverage to reduce the purchase price.

Make Final Home Inspection Plans

Plan for your family and pets to leave the house about an hour before the home inspectors arrive. Make sure the utilities are on, and all remote control devices and keys are available. Clear out the washer, dryer, oven, dishwasher, and sinks. Provide your repair, maintenance, or insurance claims documentation. If you have a septic tank or well, leave a sketch of its location.

Before you sell your home in Northern or Eastern Kentucky, contact the professionals at Sherlock Home Inspection in Augusta, KY, with your questions. Since 1998, these seasoned real estate inspectors have served buyers and sellers, providing peace of mind with their detailed home inspections. Visit their website or call (606) 782-1430 for more information about their services and expertise.