How to Prepare
for an Inspection

- Sellers, if the Property Scheduled for Inspection is Occupied - 

   PLEASE READ THIS -


No home is perfect.

Anything from major damage to minor maintenance issues are often found. Even new homes are commonly not immune – they could have problems with the plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling system, or the roofing, as well as grading & drainage, doors and windows, garage vehicle doors, attic ventillation, framing or block work, and appliances just to name a few.

For homeowners, it’s important to be aware of any issues your home may have prior to putting it on the market. Getting a pre-listing home inspection will ensure that you’re aware of any problems and can take care of them on your terms – or present them as-is and adjust your selling price proportionally. The alternative leaves you open to costly surprises and delays, and even potential deal-breakers once you’ve entered negotiations with the buyer.

For buyers, an inspection is vital to uncovering issues a home may have but are invisible to the untrained eye. Even if the inspection finds more problems than you’re comfortable with and you move on to a different home to start the process all over again, it’s money well spent.  An inspection will give you the opportunity to ask the seller to make the repairs before you buy, or to back out of the contract.  So be sure to ask for the “inspection contingency” when you begin to enter negotiations with the seller.  This allows you to set a limit on the cost of repairs to the home.  If the inspector estimates that repairs will cost more than the limit, the contract is voided.  It is a good way to protect yourself from ending up with a home that requires repairs that you are unable or unwilling to pay for.

Before the inspector arrives, there are a few things you should know. There are no federal regulations governing inspectors.  The laws are going to differ state by state.  Therefore it’s important to interview your inspector or inspection company prior to hiring them.  Since each state is going to have their own standards of certification for inspectors – and some don’t even have any – credibility is a big issue in choosing the right inspector.  Ask what certifications your inspector holds and what associations he or she belongs to.  Most associations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI), have membership requirements that include minimum levels of experience and training as well as codes of ethics.  There are also several state-level associations that your inspector may be a member of.  Ask your inspector and then visit the association’s website.

If you are the paying client, once your inspector has arrived, it is recommended that you accompany him or her on the inspection of the property.  This is so you can become familiar with the home and its systems as well as exactly what repairs the inspector recommends and why.  It is customary that the other party not specifically participate in the inspection, but if available for any questions on the home by the inspector this would be appreciated.

As the Inspector's client, You might also want to prepare a list of items that you’ve seen in the home that you feel are cause for concern as well as any questions you may have.  The inspection is a great time to find out where the home’s water and gas shutoffs are and where the electical panel is for possible future needs.

Here are some other suggestions for homeowners or persons living in the home: (Listing Agents - Please copy or forward these items to your clients, clients family, or renter's of the property under inspection - Prior to the day of the inspection). Thanks to all for your cooperation in this matter.

• Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic, electrical box, water heater, AC system, etc.  It’s also a good idea to trim any trees and shrubs that may make an inspection of the exterior of the property difficult.
• Housekeeping: The inspector may photograph your home for the inspection report, so clearing the clutter and moving vehicles from the front of the home and the garage floor and walls will help the inspection go smoother.
• Maintenance: Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.
• Bathrooms: Sinks, Toilets, and Showers/tubs will all have water run in and through them, so there is no need to polish everything for the inspection. Inspectors do not look at the personal items in the home or the general cleanliness of the home.Since we will be running water in these fistures however we need to examine the drain lines and appreciate having access underneath sink cabinets, around tubs and toilets, so any personal items, towels, candles, etc, should be removed from here.
• Closets: The inspector will be examining all the closets within the home. Generally to look at the shelving hardware and door operation, however some closets also provide access to the attic. If you have one or more closets in the home that have an access door to the attic, the inspector may need to get in there with a ladder to go into the attic. Insulation can fall from this opening and land on clothing, shoes, etc. Therefore you may want to move items away from this "access" area to a nearby closet temporarily until the inspection is complete.
• Kitchens: The inspector will be evaluating the cabinets and most if not all of the appliances in the kitchen. Therefore any items left in or on the stove or oven should be removed. Dishes in the dishwasher should be taken out, items in the Microwave removed, etc. We appreciate your help, as it will help us be able to get out of your way sooner, so we make as minimal impact on your day as possible.
• Animals and Children should be removed from the propery if at all possible during the inspection, for their own safety as well as that of the inspector, as there is nothing worse than an escaped and lost pet, dog bite, or children climbing a ladder to the roof or attic space only to fall off and be seriously hurt. That said if you are aware of any active Fire Ant hills or Hornet and Wasps nests on the property taking care of them prior to the inspection would also be appreciated. Sometimes during an inspection with all of the activity in and around a home ant and wasp nests can be stirred up and serious (and potentially deadly) bites can be occured by all with proximity to the home. Including you the occupants, visitors, neighbors, etc.

FINALLY

 THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP !

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.