Home inspections can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never had one done before. Knowing what you’re getting into can help you to prepare and maybe even get better marks on your report. Here are a few things you will need to keep in mind as you prepare for your home inspection.
The home inspector is not expecting perfection; spotless reports are incredibly rare. Don’t get down on yourself if your home is not in perfect condition; instead, focus on what you can change. Start by looking at a home inspection checklist, so you will know what the inspector is looking for. Locate a few small problems that you can fix quickly and inexpensively. This will lower your list of defects when the report shows up. A shorter list of issues means fewer squabbles during closing.
The inspector will examine the walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, foundation, basement, attic, roof, and structural elements. During a whole home inspection, they will also look at your heating and cooling systems. For a more accurate home inspection, make sure your inspector can access and inspect certain areas like the attic and basement.
How Can You Prepare Your Home?Before preparing your home, you will need to know precisely how to get it ready. Provide easy access to every part of your home. Leave keys for everything and label them. Turn on all the pilot lights for furnaces and fireplaces so the inspector can check out the heating. Clean up the attic and basement so that the inspector can easily access the inspection areas. Do the same in your yard so that they can reach your crawl space and drainage access points. If the utilities have been disconnected, turn them back on for the inspection because the home inspector does not turn the utilities on and off. Don’t forget to clean your home and make simple repairs, too.
Typically, the buyer pays for the home inspection, but extenuating circumstances such as low demand for the property can lead to the seller paying.
This all depends on the buyer’s desires. If they have been alerted of a potential problem by the inspector, they may want to get further reports from other specialists. This is common if there are indications of termites, mold, radon, asbestos, or paint or pipes with lead.
On average, home inspections last between an hour and a half to three hours. The exact length of the inspection will depend on a few different factors including the size of the property, helpfulness of the homeowner and number of issues.
For sellers, tagging along during the inspection is not necessary. For buyers, it can be a good idea so that you can explore your new home, get some perspective on each issue, and ask questions as you go. We highly recommend that you attend the inspection.
To schedule a whole home inspection in Philadelphia, PA, contact Eagle Inspections.