Should I Get a Home Inspection Before I List My House for Sale?

Having a home inspector perform a quality inspection on your home before it’s listed protects you from over-inflated buyer estimates. Reduce the liability with full disclosure beforehand and identify repair issues when time is on your side to allow for budgeting and resolution. Doing so also allows you to facilitate a faster sale and eliminate issues that a buyers’ independent inspection would have ultimately revealed.

Remember that many mortgage loan officers require an independent home inspection before they agree to purchase a home on behalf of the buyer. Past that, buyers are highly recommended to have an inspection performed. An inspection is almost inevitable, so give yourself the chance to be better prepared and confident through the selling process.

How Do I Prepare to Sell My Home?

The first step to selling your home is to organize the tasks ahead into a manageable to-do list. This would be the ideal time to get a Home Seller Inspection to fill out the list with the tasks that really matter regarding the value of the home.

The following checklist is designed to aid you in preparing your home for an inspection but it by no means addresses all the items an inspection will address.

Exterior of the Home

• Repair any mortar cracks in the brick veneer
• Seal around penetrations in exterior wall (AC lines, cleanouts, hose bibs, vents, electrical receptacles, etc.)
• Repair or replace and wood rot on doors, windows, siding, hose bibs, fascia & soffit
• Caulk around trim, windows and doors and paint if needed
• Trim trees, shrubs away from exterior walls & AC condensing unit
• Remove any debris, rotting wood, firewood, or stored items from contact with the house
• Repair any damaged or missing weather stripping around doors
• Replace any missing or damaged window screens
• Repair any broken, cracked, or fogged windows
• Ensure all the exterior lights and outlets work
• Replace burned out lightbulbs
• Tighten any loose electrical outlets or switches
• Replace any missing or damaged electrical outlet or switch covers
• Test all GFCI receptacles if you have them
• Make sure HVAC unit is level
• Make sure the exterior AC condensing unit is clean
• Repair and leaking or dripping hose bibs
• Remove crawl space vent covers
• Add dirt backfill to low areas around the perimeter of the foundation
• Check that the crawlspace is dry, and fix any moisture issues
• Remove soil or mulch from contact with siding or brick
• Clean dirty gutters
• Divert all water away from house: downspouts, etc. Grade should slope away from structure. Place gutter splash guards under downspouts.
• Repair any loose/lifted flashings on the roof.
• Seal any exposed nails on the roof.
• Clean debris from the roof.
• Cut back any tree limbs from roof.
• Replace any missing/damaged shingles.
• Does sprinkler system have a working rain/freeze sensor?
• Are sprinkler heads spraying the structure?
• Are all swimming pool/spa components/equipment accessible and in working order?

Interior of the Home

• Make sure attic access ladder is in good working order.
• Add attic ventilation if none is present.
• Repair any damaged sheetrock (wall & ceiling).
• Make sure all door hardware is in working order.
• Repair any doors that do not latch or stick in the frame.
• Repair/replace any water damaged window sills.
• Repair any broken window locks.
• Have chimney & fireplace professionally cleaned if dirty.
• Make sure all fireplace components are in working order (damper, screen, doors, etc.)
• Do all interior lights & electrical outlets work?
• Replace any burned out light bulbs.
• Replace any missing or damaged electrical outlet or switch covers.
• Tighten any loose outlets or switches.
• Test all GFCI receptacles, if present.
• Test all smoke detectors. Install CO detectors if present.
• It is recommended to have the HVAC system cleaned and serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor prior to inspection.
• Replace any dirty filters and clean dirty air supply/return registers.
• Repair any leaking or dripping plumbing fixtures.
• Clear any slow or clogged drains.
• Replace any drain stops that do not hold water.
• Check that toilets are secure to the floor.
• Caulk or re-grout any cracks in bath or shower.
• Check bathroom/utility room exhaust fans to ensure that they are in working order.
• Remedy any hot/cold lines that are reversed at kitchen & bath sinks, showers or bathtubs (hot is always on the left).
• Caulk around all tub/shower fixtures.
• Is there a drain pan located under the water heater and is it plumbed to the exterior?
• Make sure flue pipe is secure to top of Water Heater.
• Does dishwasher complete a full cycle and water drains?
• Make sure all dishwasher baskets are present with no visible rust and rollers are not broken.
• Does dishwasher spray arm operate? Does soap door open? Does drying element work?
• Is dishwasher secured to cabinet?
• Is food disposer free of debris?
• Replace food disposer if any signs of rust, corrosion, or leaking.
• Are Range Hood and Exhaust Systems in working condition?
• Are all cooktop burners working?
• Replace/repair any damaged or missing control knobs, reflector pans, lights, etc. on range, cooktop or oven.
• Does range have an anti-tip device installed?
• Does oven work in bake & broil settings?
• Is microwave oven in working condition?
• Make sure dryer vents to exterior.
• Make sure dryer vent cap is free of lent.
• Make sure dryer vent cap has a flapper instead of a screen.