Making Your House Ready For Buyers & Inspectors
These common items are areas of a home that typically need to be corrected. Best to do before putting a house up for sale. Fixing these issues will reduce any potential issues found on home inspection reports.
- Clean the gutters and downspouts. Rainwater conductors should be free-flowing.
- Ensure rainwater is not overshooting gutters during heavy rain events.
- Install downspout extensions to divert water away from the foundation.
- Ensure a positive grade/slope at the base of the foundation (for at least 6’ from the base of the foundation).
- Install handrail(s) that are roughly 3+ feet incline. Best to have a licensed contractor complete the work.
- Verify all interior and exterior handrails and stair guards are properly anchored and not loose.
- Verify the deck railing (if present) is properly anchored and not loose.
- Have an electrician do a quick tune-up on the system to ensure the following:
- No double taps in the main electric panel.
- No missing junction box covers in the basement, attic or unfinished spaces.
- No loose poorly routed wiring or improperly anchored electric boxes.
- Verify that plumbing fixtures are secure on the base to which they are attached, this includes toilets, faucets, and showerheads.
- Verify windows and doors are working properly. That means windows glide freely up and down in their frames and all windows and doors can be properly locked.
- Review the exterior for chipped siding or chipped painting of the exterior walls.
- Ensure free and clear access to ALL areas where an inspector will need to enter. This includes the attic, crawlspace, electric panels, closets, garage, gates/yards, and access to all mechanical equipment.
- Remove cluttered conditions and/or spaces to provide clear visibility to inspect.
Taking the time and making effort to handle any of these preexisting issues will make the inspection go smoother, and result in a shorter report with fewer issues to scare the buyer and annoy you, the seller.
This list has been constructed by Real Estate Inspections, with alterations by Dan Larson Realtor®. You can visit the inspection company at https://re-inspect.com/