How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
When Selling a house in Washington. The home inspection process can be nerve-wracking for a seller. The inspector may find many necessary repairs or structural problems with your home that are costly to fix or could jeopardize a pending sale.
It can be a smart idea to schedule a pre-inspection before putting your home on the market to know what may need repairs before finding a buyer. Here are some ways to start preparing for a home inspection.
Select a Reputable Home Inspector
In your local area, there are likely many different companies available to conduct your home inspection. It is critical that you only work with experienced and trustworthy inspectors that will provide you with an unbiased look at the current condition of your home. Ideally, the inspector has experience with homes like yours, particularly if you have a septic system or a pool.
Things to Do Before a Home Inspection
Now that you have a home inspection scheduled, you might wonder what is the best way to prepare for an inspection. Here is what to do before a home inspection to get the most thorough and fair assessment:
1. Clean Your Home
Start by cleaning your home thoroughly, as you would do before any show. You want to showcase your house in its best light. Clearing away all clutter, dust, and other items that might hinder the inspector’s view will make a big difference in the results.
2. Prepare a List of Questions
You should also prepare a list of questions to ask the home inspector during their visit. It gives you the opportunity to find out the specific details regarding any potential issues the inspector will find and allows you to plan ahead on how you might repair or fix any problems.
Specifically, you want to ask what the inspector estimates the cost of repairs should be. While the inspector can’t give a firm price quote, they can give you a rough idea of what you could expect to pay to get the house into a state where it passes the inspection.
3. Ensure Clear Walkways and Access
Clear walkways and access for your inspector is also important to factor to consider. Remove any things that may be in the way of the inspector, such as cars and toys, as well as any furniture or decor that might block access to panels that the inspector needs to access.
4. Allow Time for Inspection
It is always a good idea to allow the inspector plenty of time to look through your home. Depending on the size and complexity of your home, it can take some time for the inspector to do a thorough inspection.
It is wise to allow at least two hours to complete the inspection to assess every square foot of your home and its structure. Larger homes may require more time to inspect.
Understand Common Reasons Homes Fail an Inspection
There are some issues that cause homes to fail at inspection. It can be a good idea to know these situations in advance before the inspection, as some of these problems could be addressed before trying to sell your home. The most common reasons houses fail home inspections include:
1. Bad Roof
If your roof is in poor condition, this could be a large red flag for the inspector.
The inspector will likely recommend that you replace your roof before you can sell your home. Some lenders will not approve financing for sellers for a house with a bad roof.
2. Electrical Issues
The inspector will review your electrical system thoroughly. Issues with fire safety and functionality will likely be a part of the inspection. Sometimes homes have electrical systems that are not up to the current standards or codes and require updating to be able to sell.
3. Plumbing Issues
If your plumbing is not up to code, it could decrease the price of your home. Sometimes, the price will be deducted due to these issues. When selling a home with bad plumbing, you may need to thoroughly address damaged pipes or leaks before completing the home sale transaction.
This can include current leaks and water damage.
4. Termites
If termites have affected the structural integrity of your home, you may need to address it before you put your house on the market. For example, if your home is covered in termites, they can make the interior walls sag and affect the structural integrity.
The inspector will look at any damage that has been or can be caused by termites and note the severity of the damage prior to a home sale.
5. Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral once used in many home building and industrial applications. It’s no longer popular because researchers linked exposure to asbestos as a cause of cancer. Many homes built before the 1980s include asbestos. Asbestos causes health issues, such as cancer when inhaled by humans.
In some cases, this may lower the price of your home or prevent you from selling your home at all. It is critical that if any asbestos is found in your home that it be thoroughly addressed by a professional.
6. Infestations
If your home is infested with pests, like roaches or rodents, it could decrease the value and marketability of your home. If this is the case, you should hire a professional pest control company before putting your home on the market. Some homeowners know about infestations, but many do not find out that there is a problem until during the inspection.
What to do After a Home Inspection
After your home inspection is complete, you should ask for a copy of the final report. This report will include pictures and comments on all findings in your home. It will also highlight any necessary damage repairs that are required to uplift the inner look of the home.
If your inspection was part of a real estate deal, your potential buyers will have the opportunity to continue with the purchase, end the deal, and walk away without buying the house, or asking for concessions, including the inspector’s recommended repairs, to be made. As an alternative, you will become in a position to offer a comparatively low price and also for the adjusting the repair work.
Can I Sell My House Without an Inspection?
If you know that your house would have difficulty passing an inspection, you may want to know if you can sell your house AS-IS in Washington without having to do an inspection. While it is possible to sell a house fast, especially to an all-cash buyer, it is likely that you would still need some sort of inspection.
By choosing to sell a house without a Realtor to a home-buying company, the company will make you a fair offer without requiring you to make repairs or offer concessions to them to make those repairs.
The pre-inspection can help you identify any problems that need repair before your home is sold. The inspector will likely note the problem, provide recommendations, and offer an approximate cost of repair.
Knowing how to prepare for a home inspection can make the process easier. By acting before an inspection, you can be proactive in preparing your home for a home inspection and reducing the chances that any issues will be detrimental to selling your home.
House Buyers of Washington Buys Houses AS IS for Cash
If you didn’t get the pre-inspection outcome that you wanted, that’s okay! House Buyers in Washington buy homes that need repair in Washington, Idaho, Spokane, and the Liberty Lake region. You can receive a fair cash offer within a few minutes by phone.
We manage our own inspection process and take care of most repairs on our end. It means, there is no need to pay for costly repairs if we buy your house. To get started, call us at (509) 255-7888 or fill out our online form. Our skilled team members are here to assist you in the whole procedure.