Getting your home ready for a real estate inspection is important, especially if you’re keen on getting the transaction done quickly and getting your home sold at the best possible price. For first-time sellers, a home inspection is a process where your home is inspected and evaluated to identify any potential issues that might affect the sale. In this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to prepare your home for a real estate inspection so you can be on your way to selling that and settling into your new home soon!
#1 Clean and declutter inside
The first step to getting your home ready for a real estate inspection is cleaning and getting rid of as much clutter as possible. During an inspection, your goal is to depersonalize your home while still keeping it looking warm, homey, and inviting. Remove photos and other personal items and make sure you’re cleaning from the ceiling down. A dirty home will give the impression that it’s not well-maintained which can prolong the whole inspection process.
#2 Don’t forget to clean outside, too
Equally as important as cleaning and decluttering the inside of your home is cleaning it on the outside. This part of the home is what makes the first impression on the inspector and all future potential buyers so keeping it fresh and clean is crucial. Mow the lawn, and trim the trees as well as any shrubs you might have. If you don’t already have some, buy some flowers from the nursery to plant on your lawn as well. Another thing you’re going to want to get on before scheduling an inspection is to repair any damages like loose roof tiles and damaged shingles. While you’re at it, go ahead and clean and repair your downspouts and gutters, too.
#3 Fix everything that needs fixing
Walk through your house and look for anything that might need fixing so you can address the issue. Fix any leaks and repair all cracks. If there are broken fixtures you haven’t used in a while, repair them or replace them altogether. All appliances that are no longer working should either be disposed of or replaced before the inspection as well.
#4 Check electrical and plumbing systems
The two most important components of any home are the electrical system and the plumbing system. A home inspection can uncover any potential issues within these systems so it’s important to make sure that everything is up-to-date, up-to-code, and working smoothly and flawlessly before the inspection.
Getting your home ready for a real estate inspection is important in making sure that your home sells quickly and at the best price possible. If you have the time for it, you can opt to prepare your home yourself. Otherwise, you can also enlist the help of a professional to help you get the job done.