Yes the nightmare may actually be at your house. I’m talking about the inspection nightmare. This is what happens after you have reached an agreement with a potential buyer, and part of the process is to have the home inspected by a professional.
This can be a very, very stressful part of the process for you. Let’s look at some ways to mitigate the circumstances.
A good home inspector will look at the outside of the house, check the siding, look at the roof, and inspect the foundation. A wood destroying insect inspection is usually part of the process. Once the inspector goes inside they will go through the entire house top to bottom. Starting with the attic the inspector will check for insulation, roof leaks, electrical issues and more. Going through the rest of the house, bathrooms will get a complete inspection checking to make sure that all of the plumbing works properly and does not leak and the floors and tiles and the tub are in good condition. Inspectors also go through the kitchen, testing all of the appliances. If there’s a basement, the inspector also inspects down there. The heating and cooling systems will be checked to make sure that they are working. During the whole process all electrical receptacles will be checked to make sure as wired properly. Plumbing will be checked to make sure it works along with all light switches ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fans. All windows will be inspected to ensure they open, stay open and close. Garage doors will also be checked. The electrical panel will be opened.
Should an inspector find anything wrong in the process, the buyer’s attorney will typically send a letter to the seller’s attorney. This letter will ask for certain of the repairs to be performed before closing at the seller’s expense. Remember – any issues an inspector may find are not personal. It is simply them doing their job.
So how do we make this easier on you, the seller? One of the best ways I am recommending is to hire an inspector yourself, and have your home inspected before you even find a buyer. This would allow you to make any necessary repairs before a prospective buyer is even aware of an issue. It can also give you great peace of mind, because you know that there will be nothing serious that will come up to cause a problem in the sale process.
I’ve heard many people say that when you sell your home it can be one of the most stressful experiences a person could ever have. Don’t let the inspection process make it even worse than it needs to be. Remember the end goal is to get them sold and the inspection is a necessary part of the process.