Selling Your House: The One Step You Don't Want to Miss

Have you ever met someone and then later that day looked them up and “Facebook stalked” them? You know, where you go and look at their embarrassing posts and photos from five years ago that they forgot to take down? 

Yeah, well a home inspection is similar in that the buyer gets to see all the behind the scenes wear and tear that has gone on in your home during the past 5, 10, or 20 years.

 Often times when you’ve been in your house for a number of years, you tend to forget about small maintenance items that I can assure you, the inspector will find.

What exactly is covered in and inspection?

First and foremost, banks want an inspection done to ensure that their investment is a good one and that the house won’t fall apart anytime soon. An inspector will go through each of the systems in your house.

They will look at the exterior, siding, windows, and roof. They will look for the condition of each of those things and make note of any abnormalities (missing shingles, broken glass, warped siding, the list goes on and on).

Then he or she will go on the inside of your house and check the electrical outlets, all of your plumbing, water heater and HVAC system (if you have one).

                                                               (RED FLAG ALL DAY)

What can you do to make the inspection process go smoothly?

First off, make sure your house is clean. This makes it easier for the inspector to get around and notice any flaws. Check and make sure all your outlets are in working condition and aren’t cracked or anything out of the ordinary.

Second, go into each of your bathrooms and your kitchen and clean out all the clutter underneath the sink. (everyone has clutter so don’t say that one doesn’t apply to you). Check for leaks, if there is one, fix it yourself or have a plumber come and do it for you.

                   (Eh)                                                                                             (MUCH BETTER!)

Remember the inspector will most likely be taking pictures of the flaws that he finds so keep things clean, because you buyer will see those pictures! Keep an eye out for any mold or residue in your bathrooms or anywhere there is water. Its important that you don’t hide these things, but that you have them fixed instead, because trust me, odds are it will be found.

Trust me, every house will have to go through an inspection, might as well be proactive about the issues you have in your house and get them taken care of before you go to list it. Imagine getting a buyer to sign a contract and weeks later have the inspector come to take a look at the house and you fail! Now your weeks if not months behind getting your house sold and on to your next chapter in life. Don’t be that homeowner. Get your ducks in a row and things will go way smoother for you!

Tyson Mollotte Broker @ Coldwell Banker Tomlinson R&H (509) 346-8929