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What if they find something wrong?!
Over the years, professional home inspectors have identified a list of problems that typically appear on buyers home inspection reports. Early correction of these problems
can increase a home's appeal, and it's selling price. Correction also sets the stage for a favorable home inspection report should the buyer request one, and thereby helps to expedite the sale. The following checklist can help
you achieve your marketing goals.
Using the checklist below as a guide to examine your house will enable you to see your house the way a prospective purchaser or a professional home inspector might.
Is your home physically fit?
To give your home a competitive edge when it's time to sell, make sure it is in good physical condition. This not only makes your house more attractive and desirable, it also simplifies or
expedites the negotiation process
when the time comes for the buyer's pre-purchase inspection.
According to home inspection experts everywhere, approximately half of the resale homes on the market today have at least one significant defect. Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent major costly problems from
developing in the first place. So, if you've been putting off repairs, now is the time to catch up, as quick as you can ! It's less stressful and less costly to do repairs on your terms without deadlines.
To identify which components are most in need of repair, many sellers now retain the services of Allen Building Inspections before putting up the 'For Sale' sign.
What is a home inspection?
A professional home inspection is an objective, in-depth visual examination of a home's structure and operating systems, and should result in a detailed report describing the true condition of the home. The primary objective a home
inspection is to educate the client as to the physical condition of the home.
No house is perfect, and a home inspection is not intended to identify every minor defect. Allen Building Inspections is primarily concerned with major defects in a home that the client, and perhaps no one else, is aware of. A
copy of your pre sale Home Inspection Report can be a good marketing tool for you and your Real Estate Agent.
Check the major systems.
After size, style and location, a home buyer's primary concern is the condition of the basic structure and major electrical and mechanical systems. Most buyers do not want to invest a great deal of money correcting problems in such
critical areas. A thorough investigation of the following major items should be made in order to determine if they are serviceable:
Foundations
Roofs & Gutters
Exterior Walls
Doors & Windows
Insulation
Porches & Decks
Sidewalks & Driveways
Plumbing & Fixtures
Heating & Cooling Systems
Water Heater
Electric Fixtures
Switches & Receptacles
Attic
Basement & Crawl Spaces
Make maintenance improvements.
The maintenance improvements listed below are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they can substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency and comfort.
Trim trees and shrubs which touch or overhang the house.
Apply new caulking and weather-stripping as needed around windows and doors.
Clean gutters of debris and leaves, repair or replace cracked or broken gutters, downspouts and extensions to ensure proper drainage
Replace bathroom caulk or grout where necessary to prevent seepage and improve appearance.
Re-grade soil around the house in necessary to prevent pooling of water next to the foundation
Replace dirty filters in the heating and ventilating systems
Have the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems professionally serviced
Have chimneys professionally cleaned & inspected, and install chimney hoods and caps as required. For wood-burning installations insist on a certified chimney sweep. Be sure to get a
written report certifying the condition of the chimney's.
Obtain permits for any remodeling that may have been done. This is important ( Home inspectors will advise their clients to obtain proof of permits ! Check with your local building
department for a list of renovations requiring permits. Some examples include ( finished basements, decks, new furnaces, water heaters, electrical work, under ground storage tank removal or abandonment, etc.)
Pay attention to details.
Fixing even minor items can go a long way toward improving that important first impression of your home. Here are some improvements which you might consider:
Repair leaky faucets
Tighten loose door knobs
Replace damaged screens
Replace broken panes of glass - cloudy insulated or double pane units can often be replaced inexpensively, and will drastically improve the appearance of a window or door.
Replace burned-out light bulbs, and wherever possible, replace broken light fixtures
Secure loose railings
Patch small holes in walls and ceilings and repaint
Repair or replace faded or peeling wallpaper
Repair and coat the driveway
Take safety precautions.
Pay attention to items relating to protecting the home and its occupants from danger. The following are important safety precaution which home buyers will appreciate, are relatively easy to implement and shouldn't cost a
lot. And they'll create a great impression!
Installing good quality smoke detectors
Installing a good quality carbon-monoxide detector
Ensure adequate outdoor lighting, especially in suburban and rural locales
'GFCI' (ground fault circuit interupter) outlets outdoors and in wet locations such a bath, kitchen, garage, and laundry areas.
Keep the stairwells tidy and free of debris and obstructions, and leave plenty of clearance around the garage door, electrical panel furnace, and access to the attic.
Keep flammables and combustibles away from the furnace and other utility areas.
Make cosmetic improvements.
An attractive, clean and tidy appearance will enhance your home's appeal. In addition to making any necessary repairs, remember to:
Keep the lawn mowed and the house 'picked-up'
Clean the exterior walls & trim, and wash the windows squeaky clean.
Open the shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere.
Pay particular attention to the cleanliness and comfort of the kitchen and bathrooms.
Prepare for the buyer's inspection.
More and more purchasers are requesting pre-purchase inspections. It's a good idea to assemble in advance, the various house records that can be used to answer questions from the purchaser and their inspector.
You should try to have on hand:
Appliance receipts, service records and warranties
Information on the age of major components such as the roof coverings, furnace, air-conditioner, etc.
Major component warranties (e.g. roofing, siding, windows, carpeting furnace and other appliances
Heating, water and electric bills from at least the past 12 months
How did you do ?
Hopefully, this home seller's checklist has helped you gain a better understanding of your home's overall condition - from a buyer's perspective. Now you can make repairs or improvements that will increase your home's
marketability. And remember, you ARE marketing your house - you probably wouldn't try to sell your car without making it clean and ready. It just makes good sense! Of course, even if your house is already in optimum condition, a
professional home inspection can also be a good marketing tool. Just leave a copy of the report on the kitchen table for agents and purchasers to read.
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