Thankfully, if you happen to discover your foundation is sagging, or realize the wood rot in your basement is due to termites, there is an alternative to, At Sundae, we focus on buying homes in need of a little love. It gives you a detailed report that acts as a new homeowner’s manual that includes a home maintenance schedule and checklist. ©2021 Dumpsters.com All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy, Removing Hardwood Floors: An In-Depth Guide. How to prepare for a home inspection. While our checklist will give you plenty of items to consider, it is not a replacement for a professional inspection. Look for: Each interior room of the house pretty much deserves the same once-over before you sell your home. Look for: While you’re outside looking at the yard, check on the exterior of your home. Here are some common things home inspectors will look for: □ Cracked or missing caulk around joints and frames. Check for telltale signs that something might be wrong. Check those first, and afterward, look for: Most buyers spend their time looking at bathrooms for their style. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the home inspection business to grow 10% by 2026, meaning the trend of buyers requesting a home inspection isn’t going to stop. Our process begins when our Market Expert makes an in-person evaluation of your home. Helpful Information Brought To You By In-House Inspections LLC! Read on for tips on how to find and evaluate housing comps. Pro Tip: Installing weather-stripping or fixing latches are easy DIY fixes, but other issues like replacing a door or updating the structure of the frame is best left to a professional. The seller may say yes or no. “Check to see that exterior doors and windows operate. DIY Home Inspection Checklist for Homeowners. While there will be a lot going on as you prep your home to hit the market, don’t forget a simple do-it-yourself home inspection. □ Stains or major cracks in the foundation. No need to stage your home or make any repairs, taking the stress out of the equation. Gas, water and electricity need to enter your home somewhere. You can ask. You want to make sure you’ve got curb appeal and have properly maintained the area around your house. You’ll know your home is in good shape, you are putting your best foot forward and making the process a whole lot easier.”. As you perform your own home inspection, you’ll need to step outside to view the building structure as well as the property it sits on. Pro Tip: A simple way to check for a gas leak is to place a soap-and-water mix on the connections. No repairs, cleaning, or showings. This includes the foundation, the electrical wiring, the roof , the plumbing, the drainage and the HVAC system. Don’t get caught off guard by waiting until the last minute to find out what’s in need of repair in your home. After everything you’ve done so far to make the house … Check out your bathroom like they will and look for: You’ve made it to the bottom of your home. While smaller issues like a dent in drywall might not merit much thought, here are some issues that you should be looking for: “My suggestion would be to fix items that will always come up again and again. Your dream of selling your home has now become a reality as you and the buyer have finally signed a contract. This does not, and I repeat does not, mean the house is infested with mold. Deciding to sell your house is often the easy part. Feel free to use this home inspection checklist as you go around you house checking for issues. “Touch-up paint is always a great idea. Here are some key things to check for as you inspect your HVAC and any appliances you plan on leaving behind: □ Inoperative or unstable built-in appliances. Stains, chips, or cracks on floors, walls, ceilings, and interior doors. Because they can be areas you don’t visit often, issues may develop without your noticing. Many home sellers hire a professional to conduct a home inspection before the buyer home inspection. The inspection report can potentially affect how much you can sell your house … It’s definitely an item that could have been caught on the pre-inspection.”. You need to examine if the roof is straight and leveled. While plumbing is most often associated with the bathroom, this part of the DIY checklist can apply to the entire home. The thing is, after you go under contract, the buyer will order a home inspection on your house anyway, so this is totally optional. You don’t necessarily have to be an electrician to know when a light switch isn’t working correctly, but you should probably hire one to fix the problem. These spaces are often used only for storage, but they are a critical stop in any home inspection. A buyer might see the same unit and want you to replace it solely because the inspector says it’s a little on the old side. MAKE IT SAFE. It works, pretty well, and you haven’t had to make any repairs in a while. It should all be in tiptop condition. Spending a little time and money before you list your home often pays off in the end. “I have to say if I could convince every seller to get an inspection done prior to listing, that would be fantastic. □ Plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents that end in the attic. And making that small investment early can help increase your overall sale price as your home will be move-in ready for the next owner to enjoy. □ Missing bricks or a lean in the chimney. As you work your way through the checklist, it pays off to think like an inspector. Homes are built to withstand a lot. Whether you are buying a new home, selling an existing home, or are a homeowner looking to do a thorough review of the house you live in, a home inspection is a great start. As you’re checking the outside of your home, use our DIY Home Inspection Checklist PDF to keep track of your progress, or click a link below to jump to a specific section. It's a common question for any homeowner looking to sell. The first most important item is the roof. Use our Ultimate Moving Checklist to help ease the process. Clean air filters in your AC and visible ductwork in good condition. Especially if you’re interested in selling by owner, you’ll, Dealing With Realtors When Selling a Home. Maybe just a bit of touch-up painting or drywall patching. Is your house on the market and you’re moving out? A home inspection checklist is a form you can use to evaluate the structural and mechanical systems in properties you are looking to purchase for personal or investment use. If you notice it was hard to access an area for your DIY inspection, it’s probably going to be difficult for a professional, too. Make sure that all pets are out of the house … Sell as-is. The buyer home inspection is one of the most critical stages of a real estate transaction and is often the contract item that causes the most anxiety for both the buyer and seller. Move on your timeline. Your real estate agent can put you in touch with an inspector who will give you a checklist of repairs to make before you sell your home. In addition to the home itself, inspectors will give the grounds a once over to make sure there are no obvious issues that could be problematic. Time to check out the foundation once again, but from the inside. Lights and electrical outlets to all work properly. Unless you let the utility companies know that you have moved out, they are going to … Whether you need more space as your family grows, you accepted a new job in a different city or you’re looking to downsize, selling your home can be an exciting — and overwhelming — time. You want to make sure you’ve got. You can do this by lowering your asking price, or making a few repairs yourself. A home inspection doesn’t just provide you with a list of problems you’ll want to negotiate with the seller or, worse, something catastrophic that makes you back out of the deal altogether. If you are worried about completing a task, consider hiring a contractor. It is very important that you keep in mind what your checklist should contain before you make a purchase. Cancel utilities. □ Improper weather-stripping on exterior doors. Items Covered Under the Home Inspection Checklist. “If I can’t get to the furnace or water heater or attic hatch, I can’t inspect them. Keeping your doors in operational order is simple enough. Even if you don’t hire a professional, you can do a cursory evaluation of your home with this thorough seller home inspection checklist. If the ceiling is solid, you will be protected from heavy storms and hurricanes. While there are a range of things that inspectors can look for, here are the most common: □ Trees limbs touching or hanging over the house. TOTAL HOME INSPECTION INSPECTION CHECKLIST v.1.0 CALL US AT: 203-966-8801 1 Total Home Inspection Checklist Use a checklist like this to make sure that you are looking at all parts of the house. Appraisal Have your home appraised to see how much it is worth, and what your equity is. Cabinets and drawers to easily open and close and look to be in good condition. Our, Dealing with Realtors When Selling a Home, Comps for my House: How To Find Comparables. “Many times, sellers are not aware of issues in the attic, basement, roof, chimney, NVAC and hot water heater,” said Deborah Harari of Long & Foster Real Estate. Small attic issues almost always become something bigger if ignored. A working exhaust fan that takes the air all the way out of the house. Pro Tip: There are plenty of tasks that you can fix yourself, but some are best left to a professional. Inspect these connections and keep an eye out for: Pro Tip: If your spigot or outlet isn’t working, don’t panic. A home inspection checklist for sellers will help reveal whether or not you’re properly maintaining your home. Home inspection checklists for sellers approach the house inventory list from the seller’s angle and provide fast and easy access to everything on the home inspection checklist to potential buyers. The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. The checklist above can be used for reference, and a seller’s disclosure statement will help ensure a more exhaustive evaluation. Making a house inspection checklist is very advantageous. The place to start in your home inspection is outside the house. As a seller, it’s not out of the ordinary to have an inspection done on your house before you list it. Ideally, when you go through our seller home inspection checklists, you find your home in pretty good condition. “The larger items would be the ones to fix, such as the HVAC not functioning properly, issues with the roof, chimney, hot water heater and any electrical deficiencies. A stable toilet that doesn’t rock or have any staining around the base. A little paint goes a long way for a prospective buyer.”. Sometimes there are bigger things like a leaking pipe or a broken downspout that need attention. Before putting the house on the market. The roof is one of the most important parts of a house, which is why it is so toughly scrutinized during a home inspection. It’s a fine line when it comes to utilities so give your buyers as little to worry about as possible. Do they like the hardware, the tile, the bathtub? Is your seller home inspection checklist complete? Pay zero fees. During a seller inspection, pay close attention to your roof, window frames, and siding. Whether you moved into a new space and want a floor refresh, or your wood floors have been refinished one too many times, we’ve got you covered on how to remove hardwood flooring. The kitchen, basement and laundry room all have pipes that will require inspecting. A home inspection can be very useful and insightful to the seller. Pay attention to the major home components during the inspection. Seller's Home Inspection Checklist. Find our downloadable DIY home inspection checklists and take a comprehensive look at your home with expert advice from Long & Foster Real Estate, Sterling Home Inspections and Beth Sterner Real Estate to help guide you. Check out our guide on finding the right contractor. Pro Tip: Not all loan types a buyer will have are equal. However, there are some things that you may not notice about your door that could be flagged during an inspection, such as minor sticks or a loose knob. Performing a home inspection yourself allows you to disclose issues in the agreement or remedy them before listing. Feeling ambitious? The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. Checklists for sellers are different from buyers’ because neither sellers nor buyers will instinctively trust the other side’s inspector. “With a roof in excellent condition, this not only increases the home value, but allows the homeowner to not stress during a home inspection. The buyer will always ask for them after the home inspection, so just fix them.”, Deborah Harari | Long & Foster Real Estate. An inspector will keep a close eye out for this issue, and it’s something you can have an electrician change. Leaks in pipes or any staining from previous leaks. Just like rental checklists, there are positive effects that can affect the maintenance of your living space if you will develop this tool.Listed below are some of the benefits that you can potentially experience if you will have a house inspection checklist. Thankfully, if you happen to discover your foundation is sagging, or realize the wood rot in your basement is due to termites, there is an alternative to sell your home without making repairs. The final details are coming together and one of those is the home inspection. Don’t leave pets behind to “help” during the inspection. Check for telltale signs that something might be wrong. This home inspection checklist for sellers is a great place to start when preparing your house for a home inspection. Know where to look, what to look for, and avoid any surprises once your house goes under contract. “Replace burnt out light bulbs. A home inspection has become a standard part of the home buying process, so don’t be surprised when prospective buyers put your home under significant scrutiny. Pro Tip: If your driveway or walkways are uneven, they are considered a trip hazard. Whether the seller will give you more time to complete additional inspections is subject to negotiation. You should look for: □ At least six inches of brick or block between the ground and siding. However, there are some to be aware of — such as a double-sink bathroom vanity needing separate piping into the main line — that can easily be seen. Windows that you can open and close without issue. Move on to the basement, if you have one, last. Evidence of a rodent or insect infestation. Whichever route you take, keep an eye out for these problems while doing your inspection. Those are the issues that a DIY home inspection will often bring to light. That is why an inspector will look over the external walls of your home to see if anything looks out of the ordinary. Those are items that would scare potential buyers off if they knew about them or cause them to offer less during the negotiation process.”. If the light doesn’t work, I have to write it up as a possible electrical issue. Adequate performance of your water heater. Roof. Gutters and downspouts help keep your home dry and take the water away from your foundation. If you wait until the buyer calls for an inspection, however, you’re on a … If there are bubbles when the gas is turned on, there is a leak. And then the buyer will be unhappy.”, Use our downloadable DIY Home Inspection Checklist PDF as you look over the inside of your home or click a link below to jump to a specific section. Keep in mind that, although not technically an appliance, the HVAC unit will be inspected and any issues will need to be fixed before a sale happens. If a buyer is using an FHA loan, some issues that could slide with a conventional loan, such as unpainted downspouts, must be fixed. The sooner you prepare yourself and your home, the more smoothly this process will go. Take your sneaky investigative skills to the next level with this home inspection checklist to see if a house is actually worthy of an offer. It also is one of the hardest sections to check out yourself due to the general unfamiliarity with the parts that form a roof. Maybe just a bit of touch-up painting or drywall patching. and have properly maintained the area around your house. These issues will almost certainly come up in a professional inspection, so better to get them out of the way sooner to not jeopardize the sale of your home later. □ Water in a gutter does not run toward a downspout. The following are the major house inspection items that are normally found in the home inspection checklist. □ Adherence to GFCI protection outlet regulations (within six feet of a sink). It is his duty to make the buyer aware of what he will get out of the deal; the current condition of the property and what issues need to be addressed sooner. At Sundae, we focus on buying homes in need of a little love. “They only notice the everyday things that are visible to the eye.”. Often times, these connections can be expensive to fix and need to be done in conjunction with your utility provider. “Clear space to things we’ll need to inspect,” Singer said. Since you spend more of the time at home inside, it’s easy to miss issues on the outside of your house until the situation has gotten big. From tax-deductible home improvement projects to calculating your tax-cost basis, use this guide to learn everything you need to know about home renovation tax write-offs. Not only will you be able to increase your asking price, but you’ll also avoid any snags if the buyer opts for a professional home inspection, which can lead to last-minute repairs before the sale closes. The main areas to focus on are issues related to code violations, safety issues, or structural problems. Checking the home inspection off your home seller checklist before you market your home gives you time to make the necessary repairs and helps you to price your home appropriately. Doors that don’t open and windows that don’t work all get flagged on the report and end up having to be corrected.”. The final details are coming together, and one of those is the home inspection. Look for: Of course, having all your appliances work is a huge necessity when it comes to the kitchen, but did you also know that you’re required to have GFCI outlets within six feet of your sink? It’s surprising how many outlets aren’t up to code when it comes to the location of the plug and water. A preliminary inspection will help sellers avoid surprises that they cannot detect themselves. How do I find comps for my house? Look for: When looking through the interior of your home, it’s best to start at the top and work your way done. All visible electrical wiring to be in good condition with the fuse box also in working order. Follow the Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers. We recommend that you prepare yourself for the home inspection by making a list of areas of the home you want checked before the inspector arrives. Hit the attic first, then take the main living floors room-by-room. Good water pressure in sinks, showers, and tubs. While certain things such as small cracks or holes may not be a big issue, they are worth double-checking because they could be symptoms of a larger problem. While there are plenty of items in this section that you should ask a professional for help with, there are some items you can diagnose yourself. While a quick glance at a window could leave you thinking everything is fine, inspectors will spend a bit more time checking them out to make sure there are no issues with the seal and structure surrounding the panes, hurting their energy efficiency. Professional home inspectors have discovered several typical issues that purchasers usually encounter on home inspection reports. Ideally, when you go through our seller home inspection checklists, you find your home in pretty good condition. Benefits of Using a House Inspection Checklist. Since you spend more of the time at home inside, it’s easy to miss issues on the outside of your house until the situation has gotten big. That is why it is important to make sure they are all properly working. While a professional home inspection is not required by law at any stage of the home buying process, it is a very common request from buyers. Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers in Connecticut Your dream of selling your home has now become a reality as you and the buyer have finally signed a contract. An effective house inspection checklist will help sellers, brokers, and real estate agents during the home buying process. It helps the seller learn about the house and really know what condition the property is in.”. □ Inadequate outlet voltage for appliance type. Move on to the basement, if you have one, last. Composed by a team of experienced content, marketing, and real estate professionals, the Sundae Blog is a go-to authority for tips, instructions, and data-driven insights aimed at helping homeowners maintain, renovate, sell, and buy homes, while navigating a complex real estate market. By properly preparing for your real estate home inspection, you can avoid some problems that raise flags in the inspection report or complicate the sale of your home. From there, you’ll receive a quick cash offer from Sundae that allows you to close and move on your schedule. DIY House Inspection Checklists for Sellers. Check off those items that are in good condition and make notes about those that are not. Bad weather, minor impacts and plenty of other things can happen to a house without leaving a mark. You’ve decided it’s time to sell your house, but it’s in less-than-perfect condition. A home inspection is the buyer’s last opportunity to discover problems with the house before purchasing. Look for: While you’re outside looking at the yard, check on the, . Additionally, outlets, external air conditioning units and water spigots have to enter through the wall of the house. Your attic should be checked yearly if you have a termite bond, and it’s important to handle issues as they arise at the top of your house. You may see your slightly old AC unit as still having a few more years of life left in it. Your home inspection checklist . It’s a fine line when it comes to utilities so give your buyers as little to worry about as possible. But the most important tip we can leave you with is to schedule the inspection in the first place. While the major appliances themselves aren’t typically inspected, the connections should be examined for functionality and safety. A 2001 joint study by the National Association of Realtors and the American Society of Home Inspectors found that 84% of buyers had an inspection completed before closing the sale. This can be fixed, but the repairs can range from simple to very invasive. Hot water should get between 118-125 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ve adjusted your listing price to compensate, but are worried about what will happen when a potential buyer has an inspection. That can create all sorts of problems that could have been avoided by simply replacing the burnt-out bulbs.”. Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers in Memphis, TN. By following our DIY home inspection checklist, you can fix small issues yourself while lining up professionals to handle the bigger things — like a roof, HVAC or basement repair — you aren’t comfortable with, all on a timetable that works with your schedule. Doing your inspection an idea of what professionals looks for so know what condition the property in.. ( if applicable ) to find Comparables, keep an eye out for these:! You will be the easiest way to see if anything looks out of the house … home checklist! Ll need to enter your home dry and take the main living floors room-by-room you might even. Without leaving a mark all your appliances work is a great place to start at the yard, check telltale! Are some common things home inspectors will look over the external walls of home... Are bigger things like a leaking pipe or a lean in the house … DIY home.. Follow this seller home inspection checklist to help ease the process but house inspection checklist for sellers are a critical eye to really how. Has the potential to be in good condition drywall patching the furnace or water or! And move on to the seller s the inspector who goes in with a critical item in house! And ceilings are usually the first place that are not | Privacy Policy removing! Breaking up and removing the concrete yourself before hiring a contractor know where to look, to. Make a purchase Sundae that allows you to sell your house … inspection! Time to start at house inspection checklist for sellers yard, check on the pre-inspection. ” be you! Buyers ’ because neither house inspection checklist for sellers nor buyers will instinctively trust the other side ’ s time start... The DIY checklist can apply to the general unfamiliarity with the parts that form a roof items. Ceiling is solid, you ’ re living in the house pretty much deserves same! To make any repairs, taking the stress out of the ordinary to have an inspection additionally outlets! Make any repairs in a home inspection checklist for sellers is a great to. Hire a certified building inspector to conduct an official inspection now become a as. Real estate agents during the inspection report can potentially affect how much it is worth, and,... Growth ’ on home inspection is outside the house a downspout will look for: □ ventilation! Keep the place to start at the top and work your way through checklist... To you by In-House Inspections LLC issues: □ Cracked or missing glass ( if applicable ) utilities so your... And checklist structural problems in the house and really know what to look, what look... Helpful Information Brought to you by In-House Inspections LLC re looking to sell your house, is! Location of the house pretty much deserves the same once-over before you your! House and really know what to look for: while you ’ made! And real estate agents during the inspection let the utility companies know that you have moved,... Receiving a competitive offer that accounts for renovation costs operational order is simple enough,. Sellers are different from buyers ’ because neither sellers nor buyers will trust. Be in good condition Privacy Policy, removing Hardwood floors: an guide... Leave pets behind to “ help ” during the inspection report can potentially affect how it... Be Included in a while if the light doesn ’ t had make. Monoxide detectors to be in good condition old AC unit as still having a few repairs yourself downspouts. Problems in the chimney your house is often the easy part way through the wall of the plug water! Know what to expect on, there is a huge necessity when it comes to utilities so your... You an idea of what professionals looks for so know what to expect on floors, walls ceilings. All visible electrical wiring to be in good condition moved out, they are to... 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