Sellers are typically not involved when buyers have the home inspected before closing a sale, but they can do their best to prepare the home.
"Inspections aren't personal. Treat them like an unbiased, professional audit, " said Geremey Engle, owner and inspector at Ellingwood Pro Home Inspectors based in Winchester, Virginia. "Fix the easy items beforehand, provide access to everything, and stay open to fair negotiations."
Some sellers opt to have a pre-listing inspection, which allows issues to be addressed on their own timeline. It may also provide some peace of mind. If you skipped a pre-listing inspection, there are still steps you can take to get ahead of common issues.
Before the inspection
Review the purchase agreement and confirm the timeline and deadline for the inspection that it outlined in the addendum. Buyers typically will schedule the inspection seven to 10 days after the offer is accepted. Once you know when the inspection will happen, take steps to make the process go smoothly.
- Ensure easy access to:
- Attic
- Basement
- Electrical panel
- Heating and cooling units
- Water heater
- Crawl spaces
- Foundation
- Fix minor issues such as:
- Leaky faucets or running toilets
- Squeaky doors
- Burned-out lightbulbs
- Loose handrails
- Missing outlet covers
- Replace filters in heating and cooling systems.
- Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Remove clutter and clean up.
- Clean gutters and downspouts.
- Repair water stains or cosmetic issues that could raise concerns.
- Collect records of repairs, maintenance and renovations.
- Disclose known issues. Be upfront about any existing problems.
During the inspection
You should not be at home during the inspection, but don't be too far away.
- Provide full access to the property and unlock all doors.
- Stay available by phone for questions.
- Keep emotions out of the process — treat it like an audit.
After the inspection
The inspection is for the buyer, so it's up to them whether the report will be shared. If the buyer requests repairs, ask to see at least that portion of the report.
- Review the report if shared by the buyer.
- Prioritize safety issues first and major systems second.
- Get three contractor quotes for big-ticket items like roof repair.
- Act quickly to schedule repairs or offer credits.
- Stay reasonable and open to negotiation and avoid getting stuck on cosmetic fixes.
- Once repairs are done, share reports with buyers to confirm the agreement was upheld.