Make sure you are prepared for inspections.
Tips your Whole House Inspection.
It is the job of the home inspectorto not only evaluate the condition of the house's major systems and structural integrity, but also to evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that need to be watched, repaired or replaced. The home inspector gives the buyer the Big Picture analysis of your house. If the home inspector identifies the need for a costly, detailed analysis of any of the houses' systems or structures, the home inspector will recommend the appropriate professional, which may be an experienced engineer with expertise analyzing that particular system or structure. The need for this kind of expensive, detailed analysis is rare.
A certified Home Inspector conducts a visual inspection of the structural elements and systems which are accessible. This typically includes the following:
Foundation Electrical A/C HEATING
Roofing Plumbing Vetnilation ExteriorWalls/Siding Fireplaces Interior
Doors and windows Appliances Insulation Attic /Basement
Sometimes a seller will hire a Whole house Inspector before a sale. If you hire the home inspector, it is recommended that you accompany the home inspector during the inspection. You should feel free to ask the inspector any questions you may have during the home inspection process. The home inspector will point out problems and explain them to you as well as show you the good points of the house. Plus, he will explain what routine maintenance is needed to keep the house in top condition. This will help you to get the most benefit from the inspection and gain the most understanding of the systems that make up your house, and how to maintain them. However, if the buyer has hired the inspector as part of their contract then you should try to make arrangements to meet the buyer and the inspector and then to stay out of their way during the inspection. That way the buyer will feel free to ask any questions they may have as the inspector is making his inspection.
Whoever has hired the inspector will get a comprehensive home inspection report that is easy to understand. Everything identified during the inspection will be included in the report. The information in the home inspection report will provide both you and the buyer with the condition of your house and at this point if the provision is in the contract they can renegotiate the contract if problems are found.
How to Get the most out of your Inspection!
Tips on how 2 Make a POSITIVE Impression!
Inspections will affect the negotiations.
If Repairs are needed per the inspection buyer will renegotiate
asking that you either make the repairs or give them some sort
of financial break in the contract.
As a seller here are some tips on how you should prepare
for the Whole House Inspector:
The majority of home inspection preparation rests on the property seller.
- Be at the property and anticipate the inspector may be early for the appointment.
A whole house inspection usually takes as long as three hours. With busy schedules to keep and reports to prepare, home inspectors work on very tight schedules and they try their hardest to be on time. Often, inspectors are early. A good rule of thumb is to be ready half an hour before the appointment time. You may see the inspector arrive early and begin his inspection around the outside of the property before he even lets you know he is there.
- Plan to be away from the house and make sure you leave the keys.
Plan to leave for at least three hours. This includes children and other home occupants including pets. Inspectors are often accompanied by buyers, and both will want uninhibited, free access to ask questions of each other and explore the house. Be sure to leave keys to all locked rooms, storage buildings, utility boxes, crawl space access, cabinets and doors. Inaccessible systems are cause for incomplete inspections and delays. Arrange a place for the inspector to find the keys, or provide them ahead of time.
- Make all of your receipts for repairs available to the inspector.
Leave in a predetermined place, like on the kitchen counter, all receipts and repair invoices for anything you have had fixed in the home. This will show the inspector what has already been taken care of to save it showing up on the report and then having to be dealt with again.
- Make sure all repairs are completed of you have them scheduled ahead of time.
If you have prepared your house for sale as outlined on this web site this is a snap. But just in case, even the smallest repair can cause the inspector to view your house in a less favorable light. Fix the little things like handles, knobs and faucets. I advise to hold off on major repairs like a roof but be straightforward about it with both the buyer and the house inspector and adjust the asking price.
- Thoroughly clean the house.
It may seem obvious, but cleaning is often overlooked before an inspection. It is just as important to prepare the house for the inspector as it was for a showing. Inspectors are human and they too judge by condition and don’t look beyond the mess. If they find the house unkempt it gives them the impression that they are dealing with uncaring owners who very probably have neglected regular maintenance too. Also more often than not the new buyers are likely to accompany the inspector and they too will feel the same way; it may even cause them to rethink their purchase or find the property less appealing than they originally thought.
- Do not disconnect the utilities.
If the property is vacant, make sure all utilities--electricity, gas, oil, water—have not been turned off or disconnected and all appliances are powered to operate. The house inspector will typically need to test heating and cooling systems, plumbing, appliances, faucets, electrical systems and more. Without utilities, required testing cannot be accomplished. Don’t turn off the pilot lights either. The inspector will not light pilot lights so again if they are off he cannot check the system or the appliance. Again, the result is an incomplete inspection report which will necessitate the Inspector to have to return to finish his report. Not only will this make for a very unhappy inspector but an incomplete inspection will delay the release of the House Inspection Report thus delaying the removal of the contingency clause and negotiations of any findings, which, then, will delay closing.
- Make sure the Inspector can get to the Systems.
House inspectors need enough room to check out heat/ac air handlers, boilers, water heaters, access panels to electric and plumbing so make sure there is nothing blocking their access. Just from a safety standpoint, these systems should not have anything within 3 feet of them just as a normal day to day operation guideline.
- Don’t forget access to those hidden parts of your house.
Attics, garages, sheds, basements and crawlspaces must be accessible to the house inspector. Make a clear path and remove anything blocking the inspector from gaining access and make sure doors can be opened (unlock if necessary). This includes accessing inspection to those access panels for bathtubs, water meters and shutoff valves.
- Don’t leave stuff in those major appliances.
The building Inspector is going to run Dishwashers, stove and washing machines. He will usually start them upon entering the house so that they can run through their cycles while he makes his inspection and he can determine if the are operating properly. Even if an appliance is not included in the sale, inspectors will run the appliance to ensure that the connections, plumbing, venting and electrical service are in working order.
- Make sure area around the house is clear of clutter and debris.
The building inspector will have to move around the foundation to check out outside electrical outlets, foundation vents, and faucets are a few of the items inspectors will want to see outside. Remove trash cans, trim branches and brush, dispose of dead limbs and clear an accessible path around the house, especially in winter. Again, the inspection will be easier, but the appearance of your house will improve as well.
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Information deemed to be reliable although not guaranteed
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