| Simply following the steps provided in this article will | | | | access provided to your main electrical panel (fuse |
| help you survive having a Home Inspection. Your | | | | box or circuit breaker box). The Inspector has to |
| Home Inspection is just one more stressful event to | | | | remove the panel cover to check the interior |
| add to a likely growing list of events unfolding in the | | | | components. It is not fun (or safe) to stand in a |
| process of selling your home. What with moving, | | | | crowded area and work with electricity. A charred and |
| getting the list of needed repairs done, achieving and | | | | smoking Inspector is not very fragrant either. |
| maintaining that "curb appeal", the last thing you need is | | | | 9. Be punctual. If you are meeting the Inspector at the |
| some stranger tromping through your home, looking in | | | | home, please be on time. Most of us invest an |
| all those dark corners. Well, take a deep breath, pick | | | | enormous amount of time for the money earned, and |
| up that last dust bunny under the chair, sit down a | | | | appreciate punctuality. If I am going to be late I will call. |
| moment and read further. I provide real solutions to at | | | | 10. Please have all utilities on, including gas for fireplaces |
| least make the Home Inspection part easier. | | | | as necessary. Having pilot lights lit will help, since most |
| | | | Inspectors will not light pilot lights. |
| 1. Please have a clean home. Inspectors are | | | | 11. Provide access to attics. Please make certain |
| accustomed to dealing with "OPD" (Other Peoples | | | | access is clear and unencumbered to all attic |
| Dirt), however it is always preferable to have a clean | | | | accesses. |
| home to work in. Don't worry about a little mess or | | | | 12. All doors should be accessible. Ensure all interior and |
| disorganized clutter. Packing boxes and a little dirt are | | | | exterior doors are accessible, and if there are any |
| OK. We do not inspect for cleanliness, however we | | | | locked closets or utility type sheds, please provide |
| are human and do not particularly enjoy spending | | | | keys as necessary. |
| several hours (sometimes on hands and knees in | | | | 13. Should I stay or should I go? This is a good question |
| bathrooms) inspecting a foul nest. Even though you are | | | | people often ask me. Usually I like to meet with the |
| likely tired of keeping things spotless for open houses | | | | owners to ask a few questions. Once I have asked |
| and potential buyers coming through, please don't drop | | | | the various questions that help me do my job better, |
| the ball on cleaning completely. If I encounter an | | | | feel free to leave or stay. Most often it makes no |
| extremely dirty home, I may be holding my breath until I | | | | difference to me. If you are comfortable with leaving |
| can make an exit; however I am also looking harder | | | | someone in your home, (assuming you will be there) |
| for defects and deferred maintenance in such homes, | | | | plan on an inspection lasting from 3 to 5 hours on |
| and often find them. | | | | average. Ask your Home Inspector how long it will |
| 2. Windows and doors should all be operable and | | | | take. Most Home Inspectors, (including myself) are |
| accessible. It is a great help to have all the windows | | | | licensed and bonded. |
| and doors accessible so I can easily check the | | | | 14. Alert the Inspector to any safety concerns. If you |
| condition of the windows and doors and also the | | | | know of any safety concerns in your home, please let |
| operation of them. If you have casement windows and | | | | the Inspector know. Items such as attic pull down stairs |
| have removed the cranks, please have them available | | | | that have a tendency to fall on your head (yes this |
| at windows. Open all blinds and curtains for easier | | | | has happened-Ouch!) or perhaps shocking electrical |
| access, and if possible move furniture to allow for | | | | fixtures or receptacles. |
| access. Any breakable or valuable items on window | | | | 15. Do not ask what defects the Inspector has found. |
| sills should be removed (Inspector will not move them | | | | Most Inspectors will politely tell you that the home |
| or move furniture). | | | | purchaser (who is paying for the report) is the only |
| 3. Turn on all lights and ceiling fans. You may wish to | | | | person he can share that information with. However |
| turn all the lights and ceiling fans on in the home just | | | | the Inspector should inform you of any known safety |
| before the Inspector arrives. It also helps if you know | | | | concerns that may impact you. Keep in mind that if the |
| what all the electrical switches in the home do. The | | | | Inspector gave you the list of defects and you set |
| Inspector can spend untold time trying to determine | | | | about to repair them all, you may have repaired some |
| what each switch operates. If the Inspector wishes to | | | | items needlessly. That defective refrigerator or oven |
| turn on all the lights and fans in your home, please do | | | | may be something the buyer does not care about |
| not follow behind him turning them off (yes I have had | | | | anyway. He may have plans to replace it. For that |
| numerous homeowners do this). He has likely done this | | | | reason, you may wish to wait until you have the |
| for the same reason that I do this. Having all the lights | | | | requested list of repairs from the buyer, before |
| on is part of the test of the electrical system to ensure | | | | repairing items. |
| it is checked under a reasonable load. The Inspector | | | | 16. Have your own Inspection performed. Consider |
| will turn off the lights and fans when he is done. | | | | having your own inspection (Pre-listing Inspection) |
| 4. Make certain all lights and fans are functional. Have | | | | before you have a Home Inspection the buyer has |
| any remote controls for ceiling fans available. If there | | | | arranged for. You get to choose the Home Inspector, |
| are inoperable lights and they just need a bulb | | | | and there are other benefits. A Pre-listing Inspection |
| replaced, the Inspector will not know this and does not | | | | allows you to find out early what repairs might be |
| carry bulbs with him. Inoperable lights will be written up | | | | needed, and to get the repairs done early. This usually |
| as a defect (why pay an electrician to check them?). | | | | is a cost savings, since you can take your time and |
| 5. Have all appliances ready for the Inspector to | | | | shop for the best price for the repairs. Having the |
| operate. Some Inspectors will check appliances, and | | | | Pre-listing Inspection also eliminates a lot of anxiety and |
| some do not. Let the Inspector start the appliances | | | | stress. It also allows for the home to be more |
| such as the dishwasher and washing machine. Do not | | | | realistically priced in some instances. For example, if |
| have clothes in the washing machine or clothes dryer | | | | you find out the home needs a new roof, but you do |
| (they will need to be removed by the Inspector). | | | | not want to invest in a new roof, it is likely you will |
| 6. Remove your pets. Please be prepared to have | | | | want to adjust your price accordingly, or at least be |
| your animals gone during the inspection. I like dogs, cats, | | | | prepared for a price reduction. On the plus side, if you |
| lizards and most critters, but during an inspection they | | | | get a fairly clean Home Inspection Report, you may |
| can be in the way or a nuisance (try doing an | | | | wish to let your pricing reflect this (raise pricing |
| inspection with a dog barking every time you move). | | | | perhaps). Most buyers will still have their own Inspector |
| The Inspector also does not want to be responsible | | | | inspect your home. However it conveys a positive |
| for having animals escape from the home and then | | | | attitude to the buyer when you have your own |
| retrieve them. The opposite side of this coin is a funny | | | | Inspection. Presenting a list of the repaired items is also |
| short story: I was inspecting a Villa that was situated | | | | positive. Simply put, having a Pre-Listing Inspection can |
| next to a lagoon. I was outside and came in, leaving | | | | reduce anxiety, save money, and make for a |
| the sliding door open for just a moment, and when I | | | | smoother and quicker home sale. |
| turned around, a mother duck and her ducklings were | | | | 17. Treat your Home Inspector as a guest in your |
| proudly waddling in to the Villa (I quickly scooted them | | | | home. I do my best to leave each home as I found it, |
| outside again). Later I had a good laugh and realized | | | | and treat the home and occupants with respect. I |
| just how much they quacked me up. Seriously, I will try | | | | know that I am a guest you may not welcome with |
| not to let any strays in your home. | | | | open arms. I also know you do not need any additional |
| 7. Inform the Inspector if you are to have visitors to the | | | | stress. Offering coffee, a soda, or water is a nice |
| home. Inform the Inspector of any expected visitors (if | | | | gesture and helps to set a nice tone. |
| you will not be there) so he can allow them in and not | | | | Simply performing some or all of the above steps will |
| have to worry about whether they should be there or | | | | help you remove a lot of the stress associated with a |
| not. Also be prepared if the buyer (and other family | | | | Home Inspection. This article does not take into |
| members) should elect to attend the Inspection. Ask | | | | account fixing or repairing common defects, so you |
| your Realtor or the buyer's Realtor to attend if this | | | | may also want to repair any known defects as you |
| occurs (the Inspector should not be responsible for | | | | see fit. Best wishes with your Home Inspection. John |
| others). | | | | M. |
| 8. Provide access to electrical panel. Please have | | | | |