Even More Home Inspection Tips for Sellers

When trying to get every dollar of your property’s listing price, it is important to make sure your home is inspectoin ready and free of obvious problems. Help yourself get a better home inspection when your buyer has their inspector walk through your house for a smoother transaction and less nickle-and-diming over small potatos defects.

Exterior

• Trim all vegetation 12 inches away from home or garage.
• Keep earth 6 inches below/away from siding, foundation vents, stucco weep screed while maintaining a gentle slope away from the home.
• Check and re-caulk any failed/missing caulking around exterior windows, doors and siding joints.

Roof Structure

• Remove debris from roof left by trees.
• Extend downspouts that drain above ground, 6 feet away from structure.
• Clean gutters. (Even small amounts of debris can clog downspouts.)
• Keep trees and branches trimmed 6 to 8 feet from roof and off power lines.
• Chimney owners should have a chimney sweep. (Keep all maintenance records)

Crawl Space

• Be sure no water or moisture is present.
• All cellulose debris (loose wood, insulation, cardboard and other debris) large enough to be picked up by a standard garden rake should be removed.
• All foundation vents to crawl space should be open and unobstructed for proper ventilation.
• Check for any plumbing leaks. Repair as needed.

Attic

• Be sure all bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents are still attached and lead to exterior of the home.
• Keep insulation clear of soffit vents and can lights.
• Check for leaks and repair as needed.

Furnace

• All  furnaces should be serviced on an annual basis.
  (Keep maintenance records.)
• Change the filter and clean all vents.
• Make sure the unit is responding to controls and heating as it should.

Air conditioner

• Make sure the unit is responding to controls and cooling the way it should.
• If not call for service. (Keep maintenance records)

Bathrooms

• Correct slow-draining sinks and tubs.
• Check and repair any failed caulk along tub/shower surrounds and at floor joint to reduce water intrusion and subsequent damage.
• Fill sink then drain. Checking for any leaks around the P-trap while draining.
• Test and or Install GFCI outlets for safety in bathrooms

Kitchen

• Correct slow-draining sinks and tubs.
• Check and repair any failed caulk along sink.
• Fill sink then drain. Checking for any leaks around the P-trap while draining.
• Test and or Install GFCI outlets for safety near sink
• Test garbage disposal and check for missing cord connector
• Test dishwasher for leaks
• Clean or replace vent hood filter
• Repair any damaged cabinet components

Garage

• Test the garage door opener. Service as needed. ( Keep service records )
• Remove any extension cords used to feed outlets
• Install GFCI outlet for safety.
• Make sure you have a self closing fire rated door, from the house to garage. It’s required.

Water Heater

• Make sure the heater has two approved water heater straps.
• Insure that the unit is vented, Contact a HVAC contractor if needed. ( Keep service records )
• The discharge pipe from the temperature and pressure relief valve must discharge to a safe place such as 6″ above the floor, outside the building, or an indirect waste receptor.

The Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve discharge pipe needs to be installed in a manner that does not cause personal injury to occupants in the immediate area or, structural damage to the building. In other words hot water blasting out of the discharge tube cannot go to a place where it will hit people, and the flooding from it cannot damage the building.