What Really Matters in a Home Inspection is...

What Really Matters in a Home Inspection
Author Jason McGuire Re/Max Infinity

Are you thinking about selling your home? Did you know that preparing for a home inspection is an
important step in selling your property? However, many homeowners don't know what to expect from the
inspection.
In most cases, home inspections are scheduled after the signing of a purchase agreement, but before the
closing date. This time may be stressful. Sometimes it's easy to forget about the inspection.
Getting your home prepared for the inspection is always a good idea, says RE/MAX Infinity. That's why, in this
article, we'll go over the major points of focus of home inspectors. Also, you'll learn how you can be better
prepared when the inspector knocks on your door.

What really matters in a home inspection?

Home inspections can be daunting. It's hard to predict without any prior knowledge what the home inspector
will check. Most of the time, home inspectors have a list of main focus areas. 

Some issues are more important to home inspectors than others. The key categories cover problem areas
that could easily make or break a sale. These are the following:




  • Doors and windows. During an inspection, all the windows and doors are checked for damages.
Typical issues include cracks, rot, and defective caulking. Even seemingly small problems may seriously affect
HVAC efficiency.

    • Safety hazards. For example, any damaged and/or exposed wiring is a serious concern. It's better to fix any
    issues with the electrical system before the inspector arrives.

      • HVAC unit. Both overheating and rapid cooling may become dangerous to the people living inside a home
      with a broken HVAC system. Make sure there aren't any problems with your HVAC unit. You can also prepare
      the documents that show regular maintenance.

      • Foundation issues. Your entire home rests on its foundation. The inspector will definitely check whether
      there is any foundation damage in your home. Potential signs include bowing windows, cracked walls, or
      misaligned doors and windows.

      Plumbing. Make sure your plumbing is in good order. That's because plumbing issues may have significant

      consequences, such as flooding, and mold growth. Leaks, dripping, and water damage could result in an
      unfavorable assessment by the inspector.

      • Roof. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It's the first line of defense between the
      outside conditions and your residence. Check the roof for any mold, rot, or leaks. These are serious issues
      that need to be addressed before the home inspection.

      How to prepare for a home inspection?


      #1: Clean your home


      This may sound obvious, yet many homeowners forget about the cleaning. They have a lot of things to do
      while taking care of the sale of the house, which is why the inspector may face a messy home. Leaving the
      impression of a clean and tidy home is always favorable compared to leaving it unkempt.

      #2: Open up all access
      Are your furnace and water heater areas easily accessible? Make sure the inspector won't encounter blocked
      access from large bookcases or clutter in the way. When the access is blocked to any essential parts of your
      home, the inspector will end the inspection and schedule a new time with you.



      #3: Check the exterior


      It's easy to get carried away with everything that is inside your home. But the home inspector will focus on
      the home's exterior as well. Make sure to clean the downspout drainage and gutters. Also, examine the
      downspouts to verify that these direct water away from the property.

      #4: Leave utilities connected



      You need to leave the utilities on for the home inspection to be carried out properly. The home inspector
      needs the utilities connected for various reasons. These include the following:

      • The HVAC unit needs proper testing
      • Grounding and reverse polarity check for the receptacles
      • The home inspector will examine some of your home appliances

      Similar to access issues, unconnected utilities will likely result in a reinspection. Usually, this means paying a
      reinspection fee.

      The bottom line: what really matters in a home inspection

      A home inspection is an important part of selling your home. Some parts of your home are especially important
      in the eyes of your home inspector.

      Make sure that the following aspects of your home are free of problems:

      • Doors and windows
      • Foundation and structural integrity
      • HVAC system
      • Plumbing and electricity
      • Roof and the adjacent areas

      Any issues with these parts of your home should be fixed before carrying out an inspection.
      Also, leave utilities connected and ensure access to all parts of your home. This lowers the risk of paying
      reinspection fees.

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