Navigating the Home Inspection Process- for Real Estate Pros
It’s true that a lot hinges upon a successful home inspection. Thankfully, you can be well prepared. If you are willing to invest the time and energy into coaching your clients through proper preparation, the diligence invested will be well rewarded.
The place to start is with annual maintenance. Consider recommending that annual maintenance items that have not been serviced within the last six months be completed. This helps with:
1) Confirming proper functionality to avoid delays
2) Supporting the home's value by exhibiting proper maintenance protocols
Some items that require yearly maintenance include:
HVAC systems
Tankless water heaters
Gutters
Chimneys
Siding and decking
How long since the septic system was pumped or serviced? Ask for records or recommend having maintenance performed.
Burned out light bulbs. To some, they might be a nuisance. To an inspector, it could be a bulb, the device itself, the switch or the wiring. Changing out bulbs can save real time and money.
If propane devices are present, confirm that there is enough gas to run the dependent systems for at least a week.
If there is a gas fireplace, light the pilot light and keep it lit. Often, fireplaces are difficult to get going if the pilot light is off. The process can often be noisy and frustrating. If the fireplace hasn’t been used for awhile, there is a good chance the inspector won’t be able to get it going.
Major systems should be accessible. The inspector will need to access the various components of the HVAC system, the water heater(s), breaker boxes, as well as attic and crawlspace access points. Without the ability to access these components and areas, the inspector will have to disclaim them and recommend that they be made accessible and inspected at a later date, potentially causing additional expense and costly delays in the closing process.
Understand your inspector’s limitations. Due to safety and insurance limitations, inspectors do not operate electrical, plumbing, or gas shut-off devices. Usually these of types devices are off for a reason, and someone without intimate knowledge of the house should not activate them. This means that if the house was un-winterized for due diligence, someone responsible for the house should make sure that water and power is supplied everywhere it should be (such as water heaters).
Records are confidence. Maintenance records as well as surveys and locations of items, such as septic systems, are all important to the new owners and their presence inspires confidence. Consider gathering these records and making them available. If your client has been utilizing Home Maintenance Inspections by Spraggins Home Inspections, then those should also be made available to demonstrate your commitment to proper maintenance and home care.
This is just a short list of the easier tasks to accomplish before a home inspection occurs. If you want to be sure to ace your inspection, we strongly encourage you to schedule a Pre-Listing Inspection. Pre-Listing Home Inspections are just like a buyers inspection but take place before the home is listed. This report is then used to drive repairs and tackle deferred maintenance. A follow-up inspection can then be scheduled after all repairs are made to confirm completion and workmanship. This type of investment can significantly speed up the process of marketing and selling a home. Identifying potential problems while there is still time to complete repairs can create substantial homeowner savings as well, while preserving list price. This all takes a little more work on the front end but can pay amazing dividends. Some listing agents get the sellers to pay for these inspections, but for the listing agents who wish to pay for these inspections themselves, we offer a free program where you don’t have to pay us until closing.
Contact us for more information.
(828)482-7239
