If you’re worried about a home inspection, then your home is most likely already under contract. However, the work is far from done. One of the most stressful aspects of selling your home is a visit from the home inspector.

A home inspection is often a standard part of the home buying process, as buyers want to make sure that their investment is worth it. Don’t be surprised when prospective buyers put your home under scrutiny.

The sooner you prepare yourself and the property for a home inspection, the more smoothly the process will go. If you’re looking to sell your house, that means it’s already time to start preparing for a home inspection.

By preparing in advance, you can get most — if not all — of the repairs done before the home inspector even sets foot on your property. Of course, you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute, do you?

1. Check that Everything Works Indoors

In the simplest terms, a home inspection is meant to check and make sure that all of your house’s systems and important functions are in working order. Because of that, you’ll want to set some time aside and make sure that the following are working properly:

• Heating system
• Plumbing
• Electrical outlets and light switches

Aside from those, you’ll also want to make sure that all of your doors and windows open and close properly. You’ll also want to check that there are no cracks in your walls or near your foundation and that there are no stains on your ceilings.

If anything is not working as it should be, make sure to take care of it before the home inspector arrives. If anything in disrepair is noted on the home inspection report, you might end up negotiating the repair with the buyers.

2. Clean Up Before The Home Inspection

Although it might seem unnecessary, you’ll want to clean your house thoroughly before the home inspection. Cleanliness isn’t a factor in the home inspection, which is why some sellers might put it aside and choose not to.

Making sure that your house is clean won’t make much difference if your home has issues such as a leak, but a clean home can give the home inspector (and potential buyers) a good impression. A clean home can indicate that the property has been well-cared for and well-maintained.

3. Don’t Neglect The Outside

Just like what you did for the interior of your home, you should also take the time to ensure that the house’s exterior looks its best as well. Although as I said, cleanliness isn’t a factor in the home inspection itself, a clean and pleasant exterior will give the home inspector the impression that the house has been well-cared for.

For the exterior, you’ll want to focus on the curb appeal of your home. Simply making sure that the lawn is mowed can be a huge help. Additionally, don’t forget to clean out your gutters and to patch up your roof, as the home inspector will be checking those as well.

4. Home Inspection-Related Documents

Now that that’s done, you only have a little left to do before you’re ready for the home inspection. If you’ve recently had any work done on your home, you’ll want to gather up documentation for those. These can include having your roof repaired or any maintenance for your HV/AC system.

This can be useful information for the home inspector, and it can give the buyer peace of mind. The buyer will want to make sure that the investment is worth it before buying your property. By giving them documentation, they’ll be reassured that the home has been properly taken care of, instead of having to wonder about when they’ll need to repair anything.

5. Make Yourself Scarce During The Inspection

Lastly, you should leave once the home inspector and buyer arrive. Be prepared to be away for at least three hours so the inspector can do a thorough job. If you have any pets, you’ll also want to take them along with you. 

Although it might seem helpful for you to be there and point things out to the buyer or inspector, it’s the opposite. If you’re following the inspector and buyer around, the inspector might feel awkward pointing out any problems they see, and the buyer may also feel uncomfortable asking any questions.

However, if there’s anything you find might be helpful for the inspector or buyer to know, you can leave a note behind for them to find. You’ll be able to help even when you’re away, and they’ll be sure to appreciate it.

Although it may seem tiring especially when there’s a lot of work to be done, being thoroughly prepared for the home inspection is worth it. The inspection process will go more smoothly if you take the time to prepare before the actual day. Although you won’t know exactly what the inspection report will contain, you won’t be too surprised if you just take the initiative to prepare.