According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, eighty-five percent of homebuyers requested an inspection prior to signing the purchase agreement. Here’s some help from MSN Real Estate on how to pass a home inspection.
First, provide unfettered access to your electric panels, heating and cooling systems, and your attic. The inspector will need to assess all of these areas, so it’s best to let them get in easily. Remember also to clean the space below your sinks so the inspector can easily assess your pipes.
Second, be sure to empty all your appliances. That means your washer, dryer, dishwasher and stove should all be fully empty and ready to test.
Next, provide full documentation of your appliances, systems and any work you’ve had done on them. For example, “if you’ve had an engineer inspect a crack in your foundation and there’s nothing wrong with your structure, display that report so the home inspector doesn’t have to be concerned about the crack,” says John Fryer, the owner of a home inspection company in Oakland, California.
One incredibly simple tip – replace ALL light bulbs so the inspector won’t have to worry about whether a burnt out bulb is really an issue with your wiring.
Last, get out of there! Think of the inspection as another home showing – you need to be out of sight and out of mind so the inspector can speak freely with the buyers and their agent. If possible, bring your pets with you. At the very least, shutter them away.
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