Home Inspection Checklist For Sellers

A home inspection is often an important part of the home selling and home buying process. An inspection not only gives potential buyers some extra peace of mind about a property’s condition, but an inspection done before listing a home can be of great benefit to sellers.

Let’s take a close look at what exactly home inspectors look for, and whether a pre-home inspection – otherwise known as a pre-listing inspection or pre-inspection – is right for you. Then, we’ll walk through a house inspection checklist for sellers.

What Home Inspectors Are Looking For

A home inspection provides a closer look at a home’s condition. A standard home inspection includes a full analysis of a home’s structure and integrity – from the roof to the basement. A home inspection report will examine and describe the home’s:

• Heating and cooling systems
• Plumbing systems
• Electrical systems
• Foundation, basement and structural components

To hire a certified home inspector, ask your listing agent for recommendations or search the American Society of Home Inspectors website for inspectors in your area.

Benefits Of A Pre-Inspection

Before attempting to sell your home, a pre-listing inspection can offer early insight on your home’s condition and help you market your property. Once you’ve accepted a buyer’s offer, they’ll typically pay for another home inspection, but the seller is responsible for the pre-inspection and its cost.

While having a home inspected before listing it isn’t required, doing this can make for a smoother real estate transaction. Here are some of the benefits that come with getting an inspection before listing your home:

• Avoiding surprises: You can get a better understanding of your home’s condition and avoid any surprises or hiccups during the buyer’s home inspection and the sale process.
• Identifying issues early: If this inspection reveals any issues, you have time to make repairs or improvements before putting your house on the market. You can also decide what not to fix and what you’d rather let a buyer repair on their own if they so choose. For example, if the house needs cosmetic fixes or changes, the buyer may want to make those updates to match their preferred aesthetic.
• The inclusion of a neutral, third-party: A pre-inspection allows you to learn more about your home and its condition from someone who isn’t involved in the real estate transaction.
• Increased marketability: You can decide to make repairs, sell as is or lower your home price ahead of time based on the inspection report. You can also use the inspection report to guide your listing description. For example, if your inspection reveals that your electrical system was recently upgraded, you could highlight the safety and efficiency of the home.
• Better negotiation strategies: In many cases, buyer and seller negotiations are based on home inspection results. Knowing and fixing issues ahead of time, before you ever put your home up for sale, can help you avoid having to deal with them down the road.
• A faster sales process: If a buyer knows that any issues have been addressed upfront, they can feel more confident in making an offer.

Depending on market conditions and whether you’ve had a pre-inspection, some buyers may be willing to waive the home inspection contingency – which makes the sale contingent on what the buyer’s inspection reveals. Getting the inspection contingency waived isn’t guaranteed, however. It’s important to consult your real estate agent about the best strategy for you and your property.

If you don’t hire an inspector to conduct a pre-inspection, performing your own independent home inspection could still have benefits. These include giving you the insight you need to make your home better prepared for a more thorough inspection by a certified inspector in the near future.

Seller Home Inspection Checklist DIY-Style

Putting up a “for sale” sign in the front yard is one of the easiest steps in the selling process. What usually takes far more time is getting the home itself ready.

While the upcoming pre-home inspection checklist for sellers isn’t exhaustive, it can help eliminate some of the most common inspection failures and help you identify potential red flags before an inspector has the chance to. Next, we’ll break down five critical components of a home inspection checklist for sellers.

1. Exterior Checklist

The outside of your home will be an inspector’s first impression. Here are some updates you can make to your home’s exterior as you prepare for your home inspection:

• Enhance curb appeal and maintain the lawn.
• Clean or power wash exterior surfaces such as the siding and windows.
• Inspect the roof for damaged shingles and replace any broken ones.
• Clear out the gutters, downspouts and any debris on the roof.
• Check for signs of water leaks or damage.
• Examine the foundation and structure and address any visible structural concerns.
• Fill in any cracks in the driveway or walkways.
• Refurbish any weathering wood.
• Test the garage doors.
• Ensure proper drainage to make sure there’s no standing water in the yard.
• Clean the chimney.

2. Interior Checklist

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when preparing for a home inspection. Take it room by room as you work through the checklist. Here are some of the best interior tasks to complete for your house inspection checklist:

• Ensure all appliances are working.
• Service the HVAC system and replace air filters.
• Test smoke detectors and replace the batteries.
• Test carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries.
• Secure any loose railings, doors or cabinets.
• Replace burned-out lightbulbs.
• Make sure all electrical outlets and light switches have proper covers.
• Confirm all electrical outlets and light switches work properly.
• Test ceiling fan speed levels.
• Fill any holes in the wall.
• Confirm that all windows open, close and lock properly.
• Replace any torn window screens.
• Ensure adequate ventilation and insulation in the attic and basement.
• Look for signs of mold or water damage.

3. Kitchen And Bathrooms Checklist

The kitchen and bathroom can be combined into one checklist, given some of their similarities. Here are some potential kitchen and bathroom concerns to address before the official home inspection:

• Test the water pressure.
• Look under the kitchen and bathroom sinks for leaking pipes.
• Caulk any kitchen backsplash tiles, the bathroom shower, the tub and bathroom tiles.
• Replace any broken or cracked tiles.
• Ensure no staining in or around the toilet.
• Remove dishes from the sink.
• Clean or replace the dishwasher filter.
• Unclog any drains.
• Verify that the garbage disposal is in good condition.

4. General Checklist

During the official home inspection, it’s likely the potential buyer will join the inspector. Here are some finishing touches to complete just before the home inspection:

• Improve the general cleanliness of the home.
• Confirm there’s access to all areas of the house, including the electrical panel.
• Declutter and organize.
• Consider home staging.
• Wipe down countertop surfaces and cabinet doors.
• Vacuum and deep clean carpets and floors.
• Address any odors.
• Remove all trash.
• Wash dirty dishes.
• Transport pets out of the house.
• Have water or refreshments available for the inspector and potential home buyer.

5. Paperwork Checklist

Now that the inside and outside of the home are ready for inspection, it’s time to gather some paperwork. Consider having the following documents available for the home inspector:

• Receipts and/or summaries associated with recent repairs or renovations
• Previous inspection reports
• Warranties and manuals for appliances
• Insurance claims
• A sketch or blueprint of where the well or septic tank is located

What To Expect After The Inspection

A standard home inspection for a single-family home can take 2 to 4 hours to complete, but the amount of time required to complete the inspection will ultimately depend mostly on the home’s size, condition and whether any inspections – such as a well inspection or pest inspection – are needed in addition to the general inspection.

When the inspector completes their examination, they’ll take their findings and document them in an inspection report. This report could take up to a few days to complete, and it will include a checklist of everything the inspector reviewed, along with descriptions of any issues the inspector observed. The report may also include photographs.

Once your inspector submits their report, make sure to take some time to read it thoroughly. Often, the inspector will go over the report with you. In that case, use that time to ask any questions you may have.

The Bottom Line

Remember, no home is perfect. And, even the newest houses will have flaws. However, being proactive and having a well-prepared home will likely make for a smoother inspection and a faster transaction on the sale of your house.

Whether you decide to schedule a pre-inspection or conduct one yourself, it can be a valuable tool for sellers. You’ll have insight on repairs that buyers may request, and you’ll be able to address those repairs before listing the house – likely saving yourself time, energy and money later on.