To learn more, contact Sundae today. The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. Feel free to use this home inspection checklist as you go around you house checking for issues. You can do this by lowering your asking price, or making a few repairs yourself. The thing is, after you go under contract, the buyer will order a home inspection on your house anyway, so this is totally optional. While our checklist will give you plenty of items to consider, it is not a replacement for a professional inspection. Home Inspection Checklist – For Buyers, Sellers [2020] By January Nelson Updated May 29, 2020 As a home buyer or even a renter, it’s important to make sure that your property is … Our process begins when our Market Expert makes an in-person evaluation of your home. You’ve decided it’s time to sell your house, but it’s in less-than-perfect condition. Cabinets and drawers to easily open and close and look to be in good condition. Sell as-is. There are also some problems that you might not even know about. “I commonly find ‘fungal growth’ on home inspections. By following our DIY home inspection checklist, you can fix small issues yourself while lining up professionals to handle the bigger things — like a roof, HVAC or basement repair — you aren’t comfortable with, all on a timetable that works with your schedule. Checklists for sellers are different from buyers’ because neither sellers nor buyers will instinctively trust the other side’s inspector. Because they can be areas you don’t visit often, issues may develop without your noticing. Gas, water and electricity need to enter your home somewhere. Follow this seller home inspection checklist to help understand needed repairs and prepare your house for sale. While there will be a lot going on as you prep your home to hit the market, don’t forget a simple do-it-yourself home inspection. Professional home inspectors have discovered several typical issues that purchasers usually encounter on home inspection reports. Hit the attic first, then take the main living floors room-by-room. Make sure that all pets are out of the house … Feeling ambitious? “They only notice the everyday things that are visible to the eye.”. “With a roof in excellent condition, this not only increases the home value, but allows the homeowner to not stress during a home inspection. And making that small investment early can help increase your overall sale price as your home will be move-in ready for the next owner to enjoy. Time to check out the foundation once again, but from the inside. According to Alan Singer of Sterling Home Inspections, there are a few small steps sellers can take to simplify an inspection ahead of time — whether it’s DIY or professional. At Sundae, we focus on buying homes in need of a little love. A working exhaust fan that takes the air all the way out of the house. Clean air filters in your AC and visible ductwork in good condition. However, there are some things that you may not notice about your door that could be flagged during an inspection, such as minor sticks or a loose knob. Benefits of Using a House Inspection Checklist. You don’t necessarily have to be an electrician to know when a light switch isn’t working correctly, but you should probably hire one to fix the problem. Maybe just a bit of touch-up painting or drywall patching. You’ve decided it’s time to sell your house, but it’s in less-than-perfect condition. Check your breaker box to see if the outlet is turned on and track your water pipes to see if the valve is shut off before you start to worry. □ Water in a gutter does not run toward a downspout. No need to stage your home or make any repairs, taking the stress out of the equation. Read on for tips on how to find and evaluate housing comps. Helpful Information Brought To You By In-House Inspections LLC! Touch up any scuff marks. If you’re looking to sell your house, it’s already time to start preparing for this inspection. Attics are rarely closely looked at when you’re living in the house. You want to make sure you’ve got. Especially if you’re interested in selling by owner, you’ll, Dealing With Realtors When Selling a Home. During a. , it’s best to start at the top and work your way done. Whether you are buying a new home, selling an existing home, or are a homeowner looking to do a thorough review of the house you live in, a home inspection is a great start. It works, pretty well, and you haven’t had to make any repairs in a while. Is your seller home inspection checklist complete? However, there are some to be aware of — such as a double-sink bathroom vanity needing separate piping into the main line — that can easily be seen. Not only will you be able to increase your asking price, but you’ll also avoid any snags if the buyer opts for a professional home inspection, which can lead to last-minute repairs before the sale closes. The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. No repairs, cleaning, or showings. Here are some common things home inspectors will look for: □ Cracked or missing caulk around joints and frames. While smaller issues like a dent in drywall might not merit much thought, here are some issues that you should be looking for: “My suggestion would be to fix items that will always come up again and again. The sooner you prepare yourself and your home, the more smoothly this process will go. Many home sellers hire a professional to conduct a home inspection before the buyer home inspection. “Many times, sellers are not aware of issues in the attic, basement, roof, chimney, NVAC and hot water heater,” said Deborah Harari of Long & Foster Real Estate. This does not, and I repeat does not, mean the house is infested with mold. This includes the foundation, the electrical wiring, the roof , the plumbing, the drainage and the HVAC system. Pro Tip: There are plenty of tasks that you can fix yourself, but some are best left to a professional. Many gutter issues can be taken care of on your own, but if you notice issues with a chimney, professional help is suggested. A home inspection checklist for sellers will help reveal whether or not you’re properly maintaining your home. Composed by a team of experienced content, marketing, and real estate professionals, the Sundae Blog is a go-to authority for tips, instructions, and data-driven insights aimed at helping homeowners maintain, renovate, sell, and buy homes, while navigating a complex real estate market. Check those first, and afterward, look for: Most buyers spend their time looking at bathrooms for their style. How to prepare for a home inspection. Keeping your doors in operational order is simple enough. While climbing onto your house will be the easiest way to see issues, many of these problems can be identified from the ground. “Check to see that exterior doors and windows operate. While plumbing is most often associated with the bathroom, this part of the DIY checklist can apply to the entire home. The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. And then the buyer will be unhappy.”, Use our downloadable DIY Home Inspection Checklist PDF as you look over the inside of your home or click a link below to jump to a specific section. Damaged vents or issues with ventilation in general. Gutters and downspouts help keep your home dry and take the water away from your foundation. A home inspection can be very useful and insightful to the seller. It is very important that you keep in mind what your checklist should contain before you make a purchase. The buyer home inspection is one of the most critical stages of a real estate transaction and is often the contract item that causes the most anxiety for both the buyer and seller. A stable toilet that doesn’t rock or have any staining around the base. Appraisal Have your home appraised to see how much it is worth, and what your equity is. Making a house inspection checklist is very advantageous. Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers in Birmingham, AL. The first most important item is the roof. Any wooden elements to be in good condition without sagging, damage, or decay. Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers in Memphis, TN. Performing a home inspection yourself allows you to disclose issues in the agreement or remedy them before listing. Hot water should get between 118-125 degrees Fahrenheit. If you wait until the buyer calls for an inspection, however, you’re on a … Move on your timeline. While the major appliances themselves aren’t typically inspected, the connections should be examined for functionality and safety. Since you spend more of the time at home inside, it’s easy to miss issues on the outside of your house until the situation has gotten big. “I have to say if I could convince every seller to get an inspection done prior to listing, that would be fantastic. Look for: Of course, having all your appliances work is a huge necessity when it comes to the kitchen, but did you also know that you’re required to have GFCI outlets within six feet of your sink? Move on to the basement, if you have one, last. Additionally, outlets, external air conditioning units and water spigots have to enter through the wall of the house. You need to examine if the roof is straight and leveled. We gathered the most common repairs to check for, both indoors and outdoors, as you prepare to sell your home. Adequate performance of your water heater. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be up-to-date and working. But they make up a critical item in your seller home inspection checklist. A home inspection is the buyer’s last opportunity to discover problems with the house before purchasing. As you perform your own home inspection, you’ll need to step outside to view the building structure as well as the property it sits on. Don’t get caught off guard by waiting until the last minute to find out what’s in need of repair in your home. If you notice it was hard to access an area for your DIY inspection, it’s probably going to be difficult for a professional, too. An inspector will keep a close eye out for this issue, and it’s something you can have an electrician change. Rather, it is intended to give you an idea of what professionals looks for so know what to expect. Look for: While you’re outside looking at the yard, check on the, . Deciding to sell your house is often the easy part. An effective house inspection checklist will help sellers, brokers, and real estate agents during the home buying process. “Replace burnt out light bulbs. It’s a fine line when it comes to utilities so give your buyers as little to worry about as possible. As you work your way through the checklist, it pays off to think like an inspector. Stains, chips, or cracks on floors, walls, ceilings, and interior doors. Check off those items that are in good condition and make notes about those that are not. Often times, these connections can be expensive to fix and need to be done in conjunction with your utility provider. You’ve adjusted your listing price to compensate, but are worried about what will happen when a potential buyer has an inspection. Our, Dealing with Realtors When Selling a Home, Comps for my House: How To Find Comparables. Pro Tip: A simple way to check for a gas leak is to place a soap-and-water mix on the connections. Pro Tip: Not all loan types a buyer will have are equal. Pay attention to the major home components during the inspection. It’s definitely an item that could have been caught on the pre-inspection.”. Use our Ultimate Moving Checklist to help ease the process. A preliminary inspection will help sellers avoid surprises that they cannot detect themselves. Spending a little time and money before you list your home often pays off in the end. The inspection report can potentially affect how much you can sell your house … A home inspection doesn’t just provide you with a list of problems you’ll want to negotiate with the seller or, worse, something catastrophic that makes you back out of the deal altogether. The seller may say yes or no. It helps the seller learn about the house and really know what condition the property is in.”. If there are structural problems in the house, the walls and ceilings are usually the first to show it. □ Improper weather-stripping on exterior doors. Consider breaking up and removing the concrete yourself before hiring a professional to level the ground below and pour new concrete. The checklist above can be used for reference, and a seller’s disclosure statement will help ensure a more exhaustive evaluation. TOTAL HOME INSPECTION INSPECTION CHECKLIST v.1.0 CALL US AT: 203-966-8801 1 Total Home Inspection Checklist Use a checklist like this to make sure that you are looking at all parts of the house. But that’s not always the case. Home inspection checklists for sellers approach the house inventory list from the seller’s angle and provide fast and easy access to everything on the home inspection checklist to potential buyers. Cracked or missing caulk around joints and frames will have are equal growth ’ on Inspections. Most buyers spend their time looking at the top and work your way through the wall of DIY. House without leaving a mark prepare yourself and your home to see issues, many of these while. 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