PRE-INSPECTION CHECKLIST Liz Burrow , Realtor ®
Once your home is under contract there will be certain contingencies that have to be satisfied before you are ready to close . You as the seller have little control over the appraisal and the granting of the buyer ’ s final loan ( although a good listing agent will certainly work to drive those conversations ), but if you have agreed to an inspection , you can certainly present your home in the most favorable light possible .
On inspection day it is important to try to be ‘ show ready ’ as this is the longest period that the buyers will spend in your home prior to settlement , so it should look as good as it did on the day they viewed it and wrote their offer . There are also some simple things that you should address prior to the inspection and below is a check list of some of the most common items :
Check all interior and exterior light fixtures and replace bulbs ; if an outdoor fixture bulb is out , the inspector must list it as inoperable .
26 LakeTalk October 2023
Provide access to the furnace , water heater and electrical panel . Panels must be removable and unlocked . The furnace and HVAC filters and returns will be inspected , so be sure to install a new filter and vacuum returns . Check window operation . Keys should be provided for any security locks . Windows that do not operate smoothly ( or which are painted shut ) may be representative of the status of all the windows in the house . Ensure that all operating windows have screens . Replace damaged screens . Screens that are stored seasonally should be easy to locate . Check all doorknobs for looseness and repair as necessary ; all interior doors must latch to the strike plate . Check and / or repair all handrails . Inspectors will enter every attic . Clear the way to the access panel and if you store items in your attic , remove those that will inhibit the inspector . Be sure that there is a minimum of one operating smoke detector per floor . Unlock sheds and outbuildings ( or provide a key ). Verify that all utilities will be on at the time of the inspection . Make sure gas pilots , including those in the fireplaces , are lit . Remove or restrain pets on site . The inspector will run appliances . Empty the washer and dryer . The dishwasher may be run whether full or empty . Ensure that plumbing fixtures ( toilets , sinks , showers , and tubs ) are in proper working condition ; repair any leaks . Check sump pump for proper operation .
While these tips do not guarantee a clear inspection , they will certainly go a long way towards showing that your home has been well cared for and maintained and will help to give the buyers more of a sense of security about the home they are purchasing .
Some content with permission of Fox Mountain Property Inspections . _______________________________