How to ace the pre-listing home inspection

One of the things that nearly every home seller dreads is the home inspection. It's perfectly natural to have some anxiety when an inspector is coming in to evaluate your home.

As a seller, you may opt to have a pre-listing home inspection done as a way to anticipate what you may need to do prior to the buyer's inspection. Whether you choose to have a pre-listing inspection, or are preparing for the more traditional inspection, here are several things you can do to help your home inspection go more smoothly.

Remove clutter

Inspectors need access to electric panels, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, plumbing and any mechanical equipment. Those places are usually in places used as storage. Make sure to move everything out of the way so the inspector has easy access, including the cabinets beneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks.

Empty your appliances

Yes, they do look inside the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and stove. They don't want to move laundry and dishes in order to make an assessment.

Provide attic access

Inspectors have to check insulation and for water damage from a possible leaking roof. Ensure that they have clear access to the attic. Usually that means going through the garage, so make sure to move vehicles.

Check light bulbs

They need to see everything, and you don't want them guessing as to whether or not the wiring is working. Make sure all the bulbs in the home are working.

Unlock everything

In order to expedite the process, after you let the inspector inside, unlock gates, garage doors, sheds and crawl spaces. An inspector needs to have access to everything on the property and they shouldn't have to stop the inspection to ask you to unlock something they need to see.

Disclose your home's flaws

They will find everything anyway. Make sure they know that you're being forthcoming about what needs to be addressed, whether you'll do it prior to the sale or the buyer will have to do it after the purchase. What you're trying to avoid is a negative surprise.

Provide documentation

Save receipts and invoices of repairs and maintenance and put them in a binder.

Helping the inspector do his job can improve their impression of your home and improve their assessment of it, which can help your home sell faster and for more money.