There are many steps in the home-selling process, and having your property inspected can be one of the most nerve-racking. The results in an inspection report can seriously sway a buyer’s opinion of a house—and impact the outcome of a deal. Getting your own inspector to come in before you list can help you turn up any defects, allowing you to take care of them early on. That said, many sellers wonder if there’s anything they can do in the days leading up to the buyer’s inspection to ensure success.

The truth is, last-minute preparations won’t get you a stamp of approval if there are major issues with your home. What they can do is make the road to a successful sale quicker, simpler, and more efficient. If you’re preparing to have your home inspected, here are a few steps you can take to help ensure that the process is smooth…

Ensure all areas are accessible

One of the most important things to remember about your inspection is that every area of your home needs to be accessible. It’s all too easy to forget about spaces that you may not have reason to visit—like your attic or crawl space. That said, the inspector who comes to your house will almost certainly need to get a good look at them, so be sure to double-check that all interior doors are unlocked.

Clear some workspace

To do a thorough job, an inspector may need to get down on their hands and knees to look at specific systems or components. Specifically, your furnace and water heater will require close inspection. For this reason, there should be several feet of clear workspace around these areas. Moving boxes and debris isn’t part of an inspector’s job, and they may choose to reschedule if they don’t have the access they need.

Clean up

While inspectors don’t grade houses on cleanliness, it’s always a good idea to tidy up before they arrive. Put simply, the person inspecting your home is more likely to be in a positive frame of mind if they show up and find everything in order. In addition to polishing all surfaces (including your floors and countertops), make sure your toilet, sink, and shower are in good condition. Don’t forget to pack away distracting clutter, like junk mail and loose change.

Turn on the pilot light

Some sellers who choose not to live at home during the selling process extinguish their pilot light. Unfortunately, if it’s not lit when the inspector arrives, they won’t be able to fully inspect your heating appliances (which could mean additional headaches for you). The bottom line: if your pilot light is out for any reason, relight it before your home inspection.

Know your home

Every home is different, and it’s not always obvious where important controls are located. In particular, electrical boxes can be difficult for inspectors to find. Be sure that you know where they are, and leave a note containing this information (along with any other clarifying instructions that may be helpful) in an obvious spot. The middle of your kitchen table is ideal.

Do your own pre-inspection

Take a walk around your home and try to view it through the eyes of an inspector. Is anything amiss? Do all of your doors open and close easily? Is there any water damage on the walls or ceiling that you’ve never noticed before? Catching small defects early on will give you the chance to take care of them before your inspection takes place.

Have documents ready

The professional performing the inspection may need some basic information about your home. To prevent delays, it’s wise to have as much relevant documentation ready as possible. Everything from warranties to past inspection results may be relevant, so round up whatever you can find and leave it in an easy-to-find place (again, your kitchen table may be best).

Head out

Last but certainly not least, it’s a good idea to leave your home while it’s being inspected. Your presence may be distracting, and the process will be more efficient if you’re not there. Generally speaking, you should plan to leave at least half an hour before the inspector is scheduled to arrive. while you’re gone, consider choosing an activity that the whole family can enjoy—and as much as possible, try to keep your mind off of the process while you’re away!

Looking to invest with experienced agents? For over 36 years, our clients have trusted us to minimize risk, offer unbiased opinions, and ensure their best interests are served. Contact us today to talk about your needs, by emailing us at evan@christensengroup.ca or calling us at 416-441-2888 ext. 772.