Preparing Your Property For An Inspection
Potential homebuyers use property inspections to gauge property conditions. For example, a buyer can use an inspection report to negotiate the best price for a property. Sellers should prepare for the inspection process to strengthen their bargaining power and improve their chases of a successful sale. Below are crucial tips to help you prepare for the inspection.
Clean the House
Clean the house and make it presentable, just as you would for a showing. Your home's cleanliness doesn't play a direct role in the appraisal value. However, the appraiser might suspect hidden problems if your house is dirty or has debris all over.
The rationale is that if the visible areas are unkempt, then the invisible ones are worse. In addition, a certain level of untidiness shows carelessness that might signify negligence maintenance. You don't want an appraiser going through your house with that attitude.
Perform Routine Inspection and Maintenance
Inspect the house and maintain the major systems and appliances just before the inspection. Routine maintenance helps you to identify malfunctions or defects that you need to fix before the inspection. For example, you might realize that the HVAC filter is due for replacement (a clogged air filter might cause HVAC malfunction).
Ensure Full Accessibility
The appraiser needs to reach all corners of your house for a thorough and complete appraisal. The appraiser can only do this if they can fully access your house. Here are a few tips to ensure full accessibility on the appraisal date:
- Clean the mechanical room and remove stored items that might block the appraiser's path
- Walk around the house's perimeter to confirm there are no obstructions, such as ladders
- Ensure all doors are unlocked
- Unlock lockable parts of the house, such as electrical boxes
- Trim obstructive vegetation around the house
In short, do everything possible to allow the appraiser to do their work without hindrances.
Ensure Appliances Are Test-ready
The appraiser needs to test the major appliances and systems for the appraisal process. Ensure everything is test ready. The following tips can help:
- Ensure your house has all the relevant utilities, such as water, electricity, and gas
- Ensure appliances are all in working conditions
- Light the pilot light to allow the appraiser to test the furnace
- Ensure all the lighting fixtures have bulbs to allow for electrical testing
- Empty the dishwasher and washing machine on the test date
The appraiser will not go out of their way to test the appliances; make it easy for them.
For more information on how to sell your home for cash, contact a professional near you.
