The most important aspect of purchasing a home is the home inspection. 95% of homebuyers prefer to have one done before taking ownership of a property. This statistic should be enough to motivate you and your home to be ready for the arrival of the home inspector if you are planning on putting your home up for sale.
It would help if you only allowed the home inspector to visit once
Your schedule is very hectic, and you’d like to keep others away from your home due to the current healthcare crisis. Before the inspector arrives, ensure that all major components are in working order. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly. Although it may seem tedious, ensuring that all utilities (such as electric, gas, or water) are on and that pilot lights for water heaters, fireplaces, and water heaters are lit properly can help you save time.
The inspector might have to return another day if, for instance, the gas is cut off or the inspection cannot be completed. If you notice that one of the systems is not working properly, let the inspector know.
Do repairs before it is too late?
You can save money by making small repairs before the home inspection in NYC. Repairing broken windows or replacing missing chimney flue caps is a simple, inexpensive task that can add up quickly if left unattended. These things can be fixed quickly to avoid appearing on your home inspection report as distracting issues. A shorter list can help you sell faster and get closer to your asking price.
You can also address small problems before the inspection:
- Clean gutters and ensure downspouts are securely attached to drain away from the foundation.
- Replacing damaged switches and lightbulbs
- All HVAC equipment should be serviced. This includes cleaning and replacing any air filters.
- Move stored items from the exterior foundation.
Day-of preparations for the home inspection
You can do many things before the inspection to ensure we do our job safely and accurately. The inspection may take two to three hours, depending on your house size. Please ensure that your pets do not interfere with the inspection.
Do you have dishes that are dirty and need to be cleaned? You can put them in the dishwasher with a detergent pouch. No matter what, we will inspect the dishwasher and load the detergent pod with soap. This will give the impression that we have done the hard work rather than wasting your time.
It would be best if you did not use a fireplace or wood-burning stove in your home the night before or on the inspection day. This is a difficult decision as we get into cooler months. However, both the fireplace and stove should be clean before we arrive.
Access is the key, so don’t be surprised if I make fun of you! The inspector should be able to access all areas and major elements of the property on the day of your home inspection. All doors, closets, and gates should be left unlocked. Also, deactivate security systems. Clear out personal belongings that may be blocking any of the areas. If items block the attic hatch, for example, you can find another space. It is easier for us to reach the areas that we need to inspect. This will make the process quicker and more efficient.
