Home Inspector Advice

Why should you, the seller, pay for the services of a home inspector, when everyone knows that the buyer traditionally shoulders this cost?

Being Proactive

As the seller you want to be proactive. You can fix up any problems that the inspector might find before your house is on the market. When a buyer comes to view your home, you hand him the home inspector's report, along with copies of work orders and receipts proving that everything has been fixed. Imagine the impact! This one act establishes you as an honest person selling a home that's in perfect condition.

Once you've hired a qualified house inspector, here are the steps you should take to have your house ready when the inspector arrives. It may avoid the need for the professional to come back a second time, which could cost an additional fee.

Preparing for a home inspection

• All utilities need to be turned on and all gas appliances need to have the pilot light on and be ready to run.

• Access needs to be cleared to areas like attics, crawl spaces, electric panels, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners etc.

• The inspector is not required to move personal property. Closets need to be cleared if access areas, such as entry to the attic, are located within closets.

• Keys should be readily available for any locked areas, such as the crawl space.

• The inspector should be notified if there are any occupants of the home that may be sleeping or bedridden.

• Aggressive dogs or animals that might escape if doors are left open, should be removed from the property to allow the inspector full, unencumbered access to the whole house.

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