How To Prepare Your House For A Building Inspection
The house inspection can be the make or break stage of signing a sales contract. The condition of your house is very important to prospective buyers, and when they call in the experts, they expect serious attention to detail. Your real estate agent will advise you on ways to make your property as appealing as possible, but they may not provide you with critical information on how to prepare it for a house inspection. A building inspector will require access to areas of the property that buyers don’t typically see – like the roof or enclosed storage spaces. Whether you’re planning on having your home inspected or you are helping prepare for an inspection as initiated by a buyer, there are several useful things to keep in mind that can facilitate the process.
De-cluttering your home helps in more ways than one
You’ll no doubt do your best to make your home as clean, clutter free and inviting as possible. Not only does this help prospective buyers, but also greatly assists with the inspection process. The more areas that are visible, including cupboards, bench tops, flooring and window ledges, the more efficient and less invasive the process will be. Due to the potential risk of causing damage, building inspectors do not move things around, so be sure that they can easily access all the crevices and small nooks.
Making your home accessible outside
Turning your attention to gutters to remove leaves, pruning trees and bushes, and ensuring nothing is preventing access to the water heater or air-conditioning unit will go a long way to help the inspector prepare the report as comprehensively as possible. They are going to inspect the roof space and take a close look at the roofing itself, so be sure the roof is accessible eg. not full of storage.
Building inspectors go under the house too
To allow an inspector safe access under your home, you’ll need to ensure that it is clear of any obstacles and that stored items are removed. Inability to access these areas is not only frustrating, but can cause buyers to wonder whether you have something to hide.
Provide details of any other relevant information
If you have recently undertaken maintenance, repair work or renovations, providing details of these will give the licensed inspector important records to reference. Remember, too, these enhancements have most likely added significant value to the home so it is well worth letting everyone know.
When it is your turn to become a homebuyer you will no doubt organise for a pre purchase house inspection and expect to be provided with a comprehensive report of the home you have your eye on. Give all prospective buyers of your home the same advantage and allow a professional inspector full access. From the roof and roof space, to the internal and external areas of the home, right through to surrounding gardens and garage areas, clear access equals a thorough and efficient report.
If you need further advice, the experts at Action Property Inspections will guide you. Preparing your property for a house inspection is easier than you may have thought.