Ten Steps To Get Your Home Ready For An Inspection
No home, whether newly built or already existing, will fully pass an inspection. It is important to realize this fact, because you will not be able to change it. Moreover, just because there is an issue, it does not mean you or the buyer should be overly concerned with it. Some big conditions like foundation failure are the ones for concern. Many items on an inspector’s report may just be a problem with the building, which you handle. For example, burglar bars should have a means for quick opening in case of a fire, but many home owners feel that this makes them susceptible to break-ins, so they are fine purchasing a home with fixed bars. There are some things which you can do to prepare for an inspection:
1) A favorite trick of sellers is to make an area inaccessible to inspectors. This sets off alarm bells. I always try to see why an area has been blocked, and I warn my clients that something is happening in that area. Trying to hide one thing leaves the impression that you are hiding other things. If there is a problem, be up front about it, for it may not be a major concern to the buyer.
2) Remove the creative extension cord outlet. Many homes do not have an outlet or fixture exactly where we want them. The solution for some home owners is to use extension cords to help create new outlets or light fixtures to meet this need. To make them more permanent, I have seen holes drilled through walls with the cords being spliced to help them end up in the desired location. These creative extension cords are usually a hazard, so let the purchaser determine if they want to hire an electrician to install an outlet or fixture, instead of helping them out with the cord.
3) If you are going to do a repair for that leaky faucet or dishwasher, buy new parts to do it right. We become creative in finding ways of dealing with leaks, when new parts are probably easier and cheaper.
4) Clean your roof and gutters.. Driving through my neighborhood, I see pine needles all over roofs. Taking debris like this off of your roof should be a normal practice, since the leaves help maintain moisture on your shingles, which causes them to fail. I have seen small bushes growing in gutters. Clean gutters help move water from your house, so this task needs to be done regularly. I am always surprised by the number of people who do not do this.
5) Replace your window screens. Walk down your street, and I imagine that you will notice that there are either damaged or missing window screens on many houses. I managed to replace the screens or create new ones for my entire house one morning. Kits to make the frames and rolls of screen material are available at home improvement stores, and they are not that expensive.
6) Figure out what your circuit breakers are operating, and then mark them. Sometimes because of weathering or damage, and sometimes because the panel was never labeled, you might find that the panel box has no labeling for the breakers. This is simple task for two people (one by the panel and one in the house) to figure out. If the panel has a missing cover for a breaker location, you can buy a plate at the home improvement store; duct tape is not an option.
7) Check that all your light bulbs work. An inspector does not need to determine if the fixture needs a bulb or if it is broken; he will mark it as in need of repair either way.
Clean or replace the filters in your home. You will have filters for the air returns and the range hood. Air return filters are supposed to be changed out every month for energy efficiency, but most people never do. We also seem to forget that there is a filter in the range hood, but not cleaning it can lead to a grease fire.
9) Covers for receptacles and switches. Buy the cheap covers to replace damaged or missing covers. The new owners can update these covers if they want.
10) Prune bushes and trees away from the roof and walls. Branches scraping the walls cause damage, and the shade helps to retain moisture.
These are ten common items that you can do, which would prevent an inspector from making more marks than is necessary against your home. They should be typical chores for the most part., so include them into your routine
A professional real estate inspector in Texas, who writes about consumer issues for home buyers and about examining your own home. I also have a background in business management/consulting. I live and work in the Houston area.
Frank Schulte-Ladbeck TREC#9073 http://www.fschulte-ladbeck.com
