Preparing (the home) for a Home Inspection
- Matt Bradfeldt, Premier Inspectors of America


You have sat through three open houses, met six clients for showings, answered numerous phone calls, accepted offers and renegotiated offers. You finally have a valid purchase agreement and it is time for the home inspection. You patiently wait for the results of the inspection only to hear that the buyers want to extend the inspection contingency because a complete inspection could not be completed.

Sound familiar? If not, ask your co-workers if it rings a bell to them. Every REALTOR is aware that you need to get a home ready for listing, but how many prepare for a Home Inspection? As you are obviously aware, home inspections are no longer just a quick lap around the house, jump on the roof, and glance at the furnace. Over the years home inspections have become much more involved and the amount of time and items examined have doubled many times over.

To assist you in preparing for a home inspection here is a short list of items to get ready:

  1. Make sure the home is ready at the scheduled time. Inspections typically take two to three hours and if they can’t be started on time they will either run late or need to be continued later.
  2. Have all utilities on. It is very difficult to inspect a furnace that can’t be lit, outlets that have no power, and water lines that are dry.
  3. Ensure pilot lights are lit. Insurance requirements prevent inspectors from lighting any gas appliances. These may include: fireplaces, older stoves, water heaters, etc.
  4. Provide working space. At least three feet of working clearance should be provided in front of the furnace, water heater, and electrical panel.
  5. Leave all necessary keys. If an inspector can’t access a locked garage it won’t be inspected.
  6. Provide access to attics and crawlspaces. Personal items stacked on the top shelf in the closet under the attic opening or on the floor covering the crawlspace opening might not be moved. The same goes for cars parked under the attic access in the garage.
  7. Provide access to inspection hatches. Bathtub controls, exterior water shut offs, and the main water meter are all items the Inspector would like to look at.
  8. Remove personal items from appliances. Most inspectors will run the stove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher as long as they are empty. If you leave a note and a full soap dispenser, many will do your laundry or dishes for you as well!
  9. Kennel any pets. Fido likes everyone. Everyone except a stranger with an eighteen-inch flashlight hanging off his belt that is. Your pets may be friendly, but the inspector is there to inspect the home, not chase the cat around the neighborhood.
  10. Have any receipts for recent work, completed building inspection forms, or installation instructions available for review. Many questions can be answered by way of verification if the proper documents are available.
Keep in mind that nearly every inspection is going to result in some findings, and no matter how hard an inspector tries there will be items that can’t be determined at the time of the inspection. Most times these are simple questions that can be answered without any additional proof or documentation on the behalf of the seller.

Preparing the home for the home inspection will not only allow the inspector to complete the inspection in a prompt manner, but will also result in a more thorough inspection, faster report preparation, and another satisfied seller on your resume.