Great Lakes Chapter of ASHI

Getting the house prepared for an inspection is a lot easier than getting it ready to show to potential purchasers.

Cleanliness really doesn’t count against a house during our inspection. But remember, the purchaser will most likely be on the inspection and you don’t want them to get “buyers remorse”. So it’s a pretty good idea to have the house somewhat presentable.

If the basement doesn’t leak but the walls show old stains and mildew, don’t paint them. Fresh paint on basement walls traditionally means someone is trying to hide something. If you have a lot of storage, you should move it away from areas the inspector needs to see such as foundation walls, electrical panel box, furnace, and water heater. Most attics are accessible by a scuttle opening in a closet. The inspector needs to get up there so You may want to move personal items you don’t want moved by someone other than a family member. It’s not a good idea to leave money, jewelry, and valuables around and in the open. I have never heard of any problem but it’s not just the inspector who is in your house for several hours. He or she is there with the purchasers, realtors, the buyer’s family members, a friend, and often they have contractors meet them on the inspection.

Make sure utilities are turned on so the inspector can check the electrical systems, heating and cooling and all plumbing.

Any known problems should be disclosed to the purchaser or the realtor. The seller’s disclosure should be made available at the inspection. Some inspectors like a copy.

At some point you will need to provide any recent repair receipts and warranty data. That information should be available to the buyer and possibly the inspector.

You should plan on being away from the house during the inspection. Realtors understand you’ll be nervous and uncomfortable. The inspector’s job is to put everything in the proper perspective. Of course there will be problems. There is no such thing as a perfect house. If the problems are minor and normal for the age of the house the inspector should let the buyer know that. Keep your pets contained in an area where they won’t harm themselves or anyone else on the day of the inspection. You may have to leave them with friends or family during that time. If you have a cat, please inform us if they are strictly indoor cats or if they can go outside so they are not let out accidentally. Don’t worry; just enjoy your time away from home.

By Lon Grossman
Technihouse Inspections Inc.
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Telephone: 248 855 5566
Website: www.technihouse.com