One of the underestimated processes of selling your home is the inspections portion of the process. In this article, it will break down the process and offer guidance for this portion of selling your home in the city of Tucson, Arizona. This, along with getting a Top Real Estate Agent in Tucson, can help sell your home quick!
In some states, a detailed home inspection isn’t required and the seller isn’t required to provide a detailed home inspection but regardless of the requirements, it would be in a seller’s best interest to either have inspections done or to cooperate with the buyer’s inspections. This can bring a sense of trust between the seller and the buyer and smooth things along in the process! So in this article it will go over some tips for handling the inspection process of selling a home!
1.) Cleanliness and Promptness:
A seemingly simple and unnecessary step but it is a step that is overlooked in the preparations before a home inspection. It’s vital to remember that inspectors are people too and are subject to assumptions like anybody else! A clean home indicates that the home is cared for and a cared-for home is often well-maintained. First impressions matter in this step of the process as they do in the others so be sure to make a good and diligently clean the home before inspectors arrive on the doorstep! However, don’t use this step as a cushion against the later steps in the preparations but as your first line of defense for successful home inspections.
Not much time will be spent on the second point of being on time for the inspections. Everything in the home should be prepared for the inspectors at least thirty minutes before their arrival. As inspectors can and will show up early to an inspection!
2.) Utilities and Pilot Lights:
If the home that’s being sold is vacant be sure to have the utilities turned on prior to the inspector’s arrival. This is due to the fact that dishwashers, toilets, and all other utilities could be subject to be tested so do yourself and the inspector a favor and make sure that the utilities are connected so that the process can run along as smoothly and favorably as possible! In the light of speaking of a favorable inspection process, another thing to keep in mind is that the pilot lights in the home must be kept on. This rule may seem arbitrary but most inspectors do not possess extensive enough insurance to cover the liability of having to light the pilot lights and something going awry. If utilities like water heaters, gas stoves, and furnaces don’t have their pilot lights lit, they will not be inspected and this could very well be cause for the buyer to delay on the closing of the home. So, save yourself and the buyer the stress of a delay on an already time-consuming process!
3.) Leaving Proper Space and Access to the Attic and Basement:
Remove any unnecessary furniture and clutter that may be in the way of items that the inspector needs to see. These items include things like the furnace, water heater, and air conditioning units. Also, keep in mind that the inspector will need around three to four feet of space to properly work. The same goes for access to the basement and the attic, these rooms need to be easily accessible and have ample room for the inspector to do their job. If there are obstructions in the inspector’s way, there is a good chance that the inspector will not view these items and then defer the buyer to a specialist to have them deal with it. Specialists will typically have a more scrutinizing set of criteria and a more discerning eye that will leave you with more items to repair than a general inspector would!
4.) Leave Keys and Clear Brush From the Exterior:
It should be obvious by this point that a good portion of the preparations for inspections is to make their job as easy and seamless as possible. Knowing this, be sure to make their job easier by leaving the covers for sprinkler systems and electrical boxes open, if you have any external buildings on the property like a garage or a shed then be sure to leave those keys labeled and on the table for the inspector’s easy access! In the same vein as leaving keys and covers open, be sure to clear the brush like fallen tree branches and other yard debris out of the way of the yard so that the inspector has a clear path around the exterior of your property. The faster and easier this process is for your inspector, the faster and more likely this process is to be successful for the seller!
5.) Other Inspections to Expect:
States where inspections are an obligation usually have a general list of inspections that will be done. However, there are states where there are additional inspections that might need to be done so this section will go over some of the additional inspections you should expect as a home seller:
Roof Inspections: Not at all states require this, but if the buyer is requesting this to be done, it can be wise to cooperate with this request. It is usually prudent to find a reliable company to outsource this task to.
Sewage: This inspection is required for older homes and in Tucson, Arizona it is required by the state to have this inspection done before the sale of a home.
Termite Inspections: This is a reasonable request for buyers to make as termites can go undetected at certain stages and can be catastrophic to a home in the long run so don’t be surprised if this inspection is requested. However, this is an inspection that is not required by the state but as mentioned above, it can be a good practice to be cooperative with inspection requests from the buyer.
Pool & Spa: This inspection should also be expected as a pool and spa are luxuries and features of a home but can quickly be a burden if there are problems within the pool or spa systems!
There are many other types of inspections from private companies that can be requested and to avoid the problem of worrying about which inspections you should or shouldn’t cooperate with, it is wise to be upfront and transparent about any defects or problems about the home being sold!
6.) Small Repairs:
The prospect of inspections can be a nerve-wracking one with the fear of a buyer backing out if they have the right contingency or being stuck with the burden of excessive repair costs to be able to close on the home. However, there are plenty of things that can be done to minimize this risk and alleviate some of the pre-inspection anxieties! Some of these precautions include:
Lightbulbs: A light that is out can lead the inspector to a couple of conclusions, either the lightbulb is out or there is a problem with the wiring for the lights so be sure to replace any burnt out lightbulbs so the inspector doesn’t have to make a determination and potentially find extra problems
Replace the Furnace Return Filter: The upkeep of a furnace’s return filter is vital for the air quality and general function of the home’s heating system so avoid the potential thought of the inspector thinking you haven’t been keeping up with maintenance and replace those filters!
Toilets and Other Appliances: Make sure that all of the appliances in your home are working properly for the similar effect of not giving the inspector the chance of assuming that you’ve been negligent of the maintenance of your home.
Label The Fuse Box: This one plays into the idea of making the inspector’s job as seamless and easy as possible as the faster the inspector is out of the home then the higher chance you have of avoiding the over scrutinizing eye of a grumpy inspector!
Small Repairs: Things like doors, cabinets, and drawers should all be working properly, this plays into the appearance of being a responsible homeowner and besides it should already be done when readying your home for sale!
This list isn’t all of the things that can be done to prepare for your inspector but if you maintain a discerning gaze and attitude towards the maintenance of your home and aid in a seamless home inspection then you can drastically lower the stress and anxiety that can occur before inspectors arrive on your doorstep!
7.) Expect Your Absence and Have Repair Documents Ready:
As a seller, you should not be overtly shocked if the buyers don’t want the sellers to be present during the home inspection and should expect to be absent during the inspection. This is because a buyer may be less likely to ask important questions during the inspection if the seller is standing right next to them. In the event that repairs have been or need to be made, be sure to have the documents from the repairs ready to present to the buyer. Even in states where it’s not an obligation to present them, it can not be overstated that cooperation with the buyer can and will make the process more favorable!
With such a long list of things to be done and that can be done, it is no wonder that home inspections can be an anxiety and stress-inducing prospect. However, if you approach this with preparation and a discerning attitude you may find it to be less stressful than others have! Also, if you have a real estate agent, be sure to get a checklist from them and also any tips or guidance their expertise can lend!
Lastly, if you are approaching this project without the assistance of a realtor here in Tucson, Arizona then click here to be linked to a state-provided checklist!
