Before the Inspection
There are some things that a seller can do to prepare for an inspection. Getting a pre-inspection is ideal. Before listing your house, and inspector conducts an inspection for you. This allows you to be aware of how your house appears on inspection. Allowing you to make repairs and budget as needed. Most sellers do not know this is an option. As an inspection company, we love to see it. However, if you are not looking to get a pre-inspection, here are a few tips.
- Service you major systems such as your furnace and air conditioner
- Preform basic maintenance in bathrooms such as securing toilets and caulking
- Making sure there are no active leaks
- Installing downspout extensions
- Making sure all appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines are functional
During the Inspection
If you have never been involved in a home inspection, don’t worry. Everything done by an inspector is wrote procedure, and the inspection is non-invasive. Which means that everything tested or inspected is either normal operation or visual. One example of a visual inspection, is the identification of a plumbing leak.
Let’s say that one of the plumbing lines is leaking during the inspection and is located behind some drywall. The inspector will notice some visual ques. Such as browning of the construction materials, or some distortion in the paint or wallpaper. Then the inspector will use a non-invasive tool. Tools such as a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera, and confirm that moisture is in the wall. The inspector will then take a photo of the area and the proof, then document it in the report. There is no poking, prodding, or removal of drywall. Insuring, that when the home owner returns to the home, there will be no signs of inspection, and no damage to personal property.
When inspectors test systems they are making sure that normal operation is correct. Some examples are flushing toilets and running the dishwasher. The tests are meant to replicate what a normal home owner does in a day. This does not mean stress testing the systems throughout the house. If something will not work under normal situations, it is best to fix it before the inspection. If the system does not work, the inspector will add it to the report.
After the Inspection
Under the normal market home inspections are used to negotiate repairs before settlement. However, during COVID and the post-COVID market inspections are for educational buying decisions. The inspection report indicates what repairs and maintenance the house should have at the time of inspection. The report is not future proof and is a snap shot in time.
When reports are sent to the sellers, it is typically with a repair request. Most of the items listed are either safety or structural concerns. The sellers and buyers discuss which repairs are going to be completed. For education with the right to terminate means that if there are large expenses or concerns the buyers can back out. For example, if the furnace is not working and there is a roof leak the buyers may not have the money to repair those concerns. In this case the buyers are protected from unknown expenses.
If your house is in good repair, then you may not see the report. In which case the transaction will progress. Getting the full report may seem overwhelming. The report may seem quite large. Just know that it is a document of not only repairs but basic maintenance as well. It is not an attack nor is it an effort to kill the deal. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact the inspector and set up a meeting to discuss the report. We are always willing to explain the report in detail.
