How to Prepare for a Home Inspection?

Posted On Friday, 30 September 2022 13:09

Cash buyers are gradually taking over the real estate market in the US. According to a recent study, 31.4% of all home purchases were made through cash in July. This is very close to the 8-year peak reached in February at 32%.

So, whether you are looking for cash home buyers in Kansas City or Florida, now is the right time to sell properties! 

Having cash buyers offers several benefits. You can get the amount quickly and easily. There's no need to go through the troublesome procedures that come with mortgages and loans.

But, it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Cash buyers can also be a problem if you don't get a home inspection and find the actual worth of your home. So, in today's post, we'll discuss home inspection in detail.

Let's get started! 

What Is Home Inspection?

Home inspection refers to a physical examination of your home. It is typically done when selling the property. During the process, a trained professional or team of inspectors will come to analyze the condition of your home.

They will look through everything, which includes:

  •     Appliances
  •     Main systems (electricity, heating, security, water, etc.)
  •     Windows, doors, and other structural features 

 

The objective of this inspection is to identify potential problems and determine property value accordingly. However, the usefulness of this inspection depends on the type.

There are two types of home inspection; pre-inspection and full inspection. The former is done by the seller before the house offer is submitted. Meanwhile, the full inspection is done by the buyer after the offer is submitted.

Here are the benefits of each home inspection type: 

Pre-Inspection

Full Inspection

  1. 1. Helps learn about potential damages.

The seller can either choose to repair or increase the property value. Or, they can let the damages stay as it is and lower the price instead.

  1. 2. Makes the selling process more smooth and more efficient.

When the seller fixes or identifies the issues beforehand, the buyer doesn't have to put in much effort. In some cases, they may even skip the full inspection.

  1. 3. Increases the reliability of the seller.

Getting pre-inspection shows that you care about the home. And so, the buyer will feel more confident and comfortable. Hence, increasing the chances of a successful sale.

  1. 1. Ensures complete transparency.

 Walking through and looking around the home gives a good idea about what is offered. But, a full inspection is still a must to make sure there aren't any unwanted surprises.

  1. 2. Helps in value negotiation.

Knowing about the property allows you to buy it for the right price. In case there are issues, you can talk the price down easily.

  1. 3. Helps make a better, informed decision.

Purchasing a home is a major investment. And so, knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages can help decide whether the option is best.

Why Should You Get a Home Inspection Right Now?

Getting a home inspection is more important than ever in the US. As mentioned above, the percentage of cash home buyers is increasing. This includes both independent buyers and companies.  

If not handled carefully, these dealings can turn into fraud and scams. Many people with no money claim to purchase houses in cash. They would masterfully lure you into their trap and scam you.

Besides, cash buyers often try to purchase the property for less than the market value. They'll often state issues and negotiate the price down. Without a pre-inspection, you would feel pressurized and may not be able to maintain your stance. 

So, it's crucial to get the home inspected before putting it up for sale.

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection?

It doesn't matter whether you're getting a pre-inspection or full inspection done. The way you'll prepare your home will remain the same. Here's a checklist of all the important things to do:

Clean Your Home Inside Out

The home inspection team will examine all the areas of the home, including bedrooms and kitchens. You would want to make sure all these places are presentable. So, the first thing to do is take out your cleaning supplies and get to work!

For Inside the Home:

  •     Vacuum and mop all floors
  •     Dust away cobwebs from all corners
  •     Scrub grime and dirt from all surfaces
  •     Put everything in their dedicated places
  •     Organize cabinets and closets
  •     Clean all appliances that you'll sell along with the property (fridge, oven, etc.).
  •     Wash the bathrooms

 

For Outside the Home:

  •     Tidy up the porch and garage
  •     Trim bushes
  •     Remove dead undergrowths and weeds from the garden 

 

While it's completely possible to do all of this yourself, most sellers do not prefer it. They hire professional cleaning services instead. Doing so ensures that everything gets cleaned thoroughly.

Plus, this allows home sellers to focus more on finding the right buyers. It saves considerable time and effort.

Declutter & Make Space

Cleaning the home is not enough. The home inspectors will need to access all areas. And, no, you can't just gather all the extra stuff and put them in the storage room or garage.

The professionals will have to inspect those places too. So, the best course of action is to declutter.

Give your home a good look, and figure out which things are unwanted or unusable. Sort them into two boxes; donation/giveaway and trash/scrap materials. Then, dispose of them accordingly.

Check for Any Required Maintenance

Once everything is cleaned and decluttered, it's time to test the functionality of the house. You need to make sure items run smoothly and require no maintenance. Here are some things to check:

  •     Windows & door locks
  •     Light switches
  •     Fans
  •     Appliances
  •     Home safety devices like a smoke detector
  •     Toilets & faucets
  •     Drains & ducts

 

In case something's dysfunctional, get it fixed or maintained. Or, you can choose to let it stay as it is and inform the buyer of the required repairs.

Go Through the 4-Main Systems

The home's four systems affect the property value the most. These include the following.

  •     Electricity
  •     Heating
  •     Air
  •     Plumbing

 

Give all these systems a thorough check to see whether they're working properly. If you don't have any knowledge about how to check them, try calling in professionals. 

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