To prepare for a home inspection, you need to clear access to your attic and crawl space. You should also complete basic maintenance before the appointment. Then, plan to leave the house for a few hours so the buyer can walk through privately.
Fix Basic Maintenance and Clear Access Points
First, we want to get ahead of common issues. So, start by having your furnace serviced. This is a big item that comes up often in inspections. Next, make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. Finally, the inspector needs clear access to your attic and crawl space. So, you must move any boxes or furniture that block these areas. You do not want anything to interfere with the flow of the inspection. Also, remember that we want to repair things properly, not just mask them.
Spokane Market Nuance: Double-Strap Your Water Heater
In Spokane, you must double-strap your hot water tank. We are at risk for earthquakes in this area. Because of this, we do not want that heavy tank falling on anybody. So, you should secure it before the inspector arrives. This is an easy, basic task that makes a big difference.
What the Inspector Actually Tests
The inspector performs a thorough visual check of your property. They will flush every toilet, turn every knob, open every window, and test the lights. Plus, they might scope your sewer line to check for tree roots. Keep in mind, the buyer paid $400 or $500 for this service. Because of that, they expect a highly detailed report. The inspector will document every little thing they find. So, do not take this report as a personal attack on your home.
Who Attends and How Long It Takes
As the seller, you should generally not be there. Instead, you need to allow the buyer and their bonded inspector to walk through freely. Sometimes, the buyer’s parents or relatives will also attend. Plus, other specialized inspectors might show up at the same time. On average, this process takes three to four hours for a standard home. However, rural properties might take a half or full day. This is because they often require extra well and septic tests. As your agents, we also stay away. If we learn about issues during the inspection, we legally have to disclose them later.
Have more questions about preparing for your home inspection? Visit spokanehomeguy.com or call 509-990-SOLD (7653) — we’re happy to walk you through it.
FAQ
Sellers need to leave so the buyer and their inspector have free space. They need privacy to look at the home objectively. Because the inspector is fully bonded, they can safely walk through the property without you there.
For an average-sized home, you should expect the inspection to take three to four hours. However, a smaller home might go faster. On the other hand, rural properties can take half or all day because of extra well tests.
No, you should never try to mask or hide property damage. Instead, you should repair known issues properly before the appointment. The inspector will document every little thing they find. Because of this, trying to hide problems will only cause trouble later.
