Selling your home? Here’s how to prepare for a home inspection

Written by Aleesha McMullin | Published on: November 13, 2024 | Categories: At home

Three people inspect the interior of a home, showing the importance of preparing for a home inspection as a seller.

During a competitive real estate market, some buyers skip a home inspection to make their offer on a home more attractive. However, more prospective homeowners are taking the time to hire a licensed inspector to avoid any costly and unexpected issues in the future.

If you’re currently in the process of selling your home, here’s how you can prepare your home for a stress-free inspection:

Inspect for leaks and water damage. The inspector will look around your home’s foundation, bathrooms, basement, laundry room, and kitchen for signs of leaks and water damage. Look around areas for signs of water damage and make any necessary repairs — ideally before putting your home on the market — to avoid a nasty surprise once the inspection begins.
Check your drains and toilets. Run the taps in all your sinks and tubs to ensure they drain properly. If they drain slowly, there could be a clog in your pipes. Snake the drains or use a drain cleaning solution to improve water flow before the inspector arrives.
Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Double-check that all alarms are working and consider replacing the batteries to avoid a potential fire safety concern during the inspection.
Tidy up your yard. Remove large tree branches that are too close to your home and could cause damage during a windstorm or blizzard. Check for areas where the lawn slopes too close to the house, as this can cause excess water to pool and leak through your foundation. As another precaution, double-check that all downspouts point away from your home and consider planting a rain garden to help soak up rainwater — it’ll also help boost your home’s curb appeal.
Make sure your home is clear of clutter. Over time, you’ve probably collected a lot of stuff and your furnace room, crawlspace, basement, or garage is likely filled with a few boxes and extra knick-knacks. Unfortunately, these spaces need to be easily accessible for the home inspector. Take this as an opportunity to donate, organize, or sell these old items before you move, and help speed up the inspection process.
Are you ready to sell your home? Help ensure a smooth home inspection process by taking the time to test all smoke detectors, checking drains for clogs, and removing clutter so the inspector can easily move and look around.
Test all your major appliances. Turn on and test all the features on your laundry machines, furnace, dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator to make sure they’re in full working order.
Service your HVAC system. Replace your HVAC system’s air filter or hire an HVAC professional to service the system before the inspector arrives.
Gather up any maintenance receipts. If you recently serviced the furnace, repaired the roof, or had new electrical wiring installed, make sure you save all the receipts — just in case the buyer or inspector asks for them.