October 9, 2024

Jocuri

Mad about real estate

Home Inspection Checklist

When you decide it’s time to put your home up for sale, it’s important to take a close look at your property before you begin showing it to potential buyers and accepting any offers.  A great way to avoid any surprises and make sure you have priced your home appropriately is to have a home inspection. The home inspection checklist will take you through all the necessary steps to make sure you’re fully prepared to sell your home. The home inspector will give you a good idea of the positive aspects of your home, as well as any items you will need to repair before you begin the selling process.

First, your neighborhood will be evaluated. The inspector and your realtor will assess the worth of your home based on the surrounding houses. Are the homes on your block in good repair?  Is your home the largest or smallest on the street, or is the square footage similar to other homes? You’ll also get a great idea of what type of buyer will be most interested in your home. A house that is in a well-established neighborhood with lots of kid-friendly benefits like good schools, playgrounds and bikeable streets will naturally appeal to parents with young families.  Trendy, up-and-coming neighborhoods with smaller homes or condos will more likely appeal to singles, students, and couples without children. There’s an old saying in real estate, “price depends on three things; location, location, and location!” Where you live often determines the price point you can count on, and it’s the first thing prospective buyers look at when your agent advertises your home.

Next on the home inspection checklist is the exterior.  All the outdoor elements will be thoroughly examined.  Roof, siding, chimney, foundation, and “curb appeal” all factor into the evaluation.  Your inspector will check to see if there is any damage to your wood or vinyl siding and any trim or accent pieces.  Brick homes are not immune to damage; it will be looked over carefully for any cracks or signs of mold.  The roof and chimney will be inspected for quality, function, and the remaining life of the shingles.  Don’t be afraid of inspecting an older home.  Many older homes were made of sturdier materials than some new ones.  Select neighborhoods attract “antique buyers” who are more interested in authenticity and age than cutting edge materials.  Your old windows may not be efficient; but that wavy glass may be more valuable in the long run than if you replace them with the latest technology.  However, if you’re in a newer home, check to see if your neighbors have upgraded the quality of any building materials.

Finally, we reach the interior of the home on the inspection checklist. The internal systems like plumbing, water heaters, HVAC, and wiring will be checked to make sure everything is in good working order.  If any problems are discovered, you will be able to repair them before anyone sees the home or consider them in your pricing.  Ceilings will be checked to see if there is any problematic settling, and doors examined for quality and efficiency. These will be key if you live in an area with severe weather conditions.  Cosmetic aspects are not normally included in your home inspection, but your inspector may be able to give you some good tips about improving the look of your property.

The home inspection checklist will help you take a lot of the guesswork out of pricing your home and preparing for showings.  If you follow the steps, taking into account the advice of your inspector, you can avoid any surprise repairs that could jeopardize the sale of your home. You will also be able to show your home in the best light, making your process as quick and profitable as possible.