One of the great frustrations that home inspectors in New Jersey have is that sellers don’t often properly prepare their homes for the home inspection. Home inspections would proceed much more efficiently if the seller would take some time and get their home ready for the inspection. Here are some tips from a NJ home inspectors perspective that may help sellers prepare for home inspection day.
One of the biggest things a seller can do to prepare is to make inaccessible areas assessable. A home inspector will have to enter the attic, crawlspaces and be able to remove the electrical panel box cover. A home seller can remove clutter and storage and make these areas accessible. Countless times I could not enter either a crawl space or an attic due to storge or obstructions. One of the larger problems with access if often found when an attic scuttle hatch is located in a closet. The closet is often full of storage and clothing. As New Jersey home inspectors we do the best we can to create access. It would be immensely helpful if the seller would remove clothing and stored items so that the home inspector can efficiently and safely get access to the scuttle hatch for the attic. I send a letter asking for access to be made, however it is often ignored. It is very unpleasant to have attic floor insulation rain down on clothing in a closet. Agents have some responsibility for educating the seller about proper access. Agents should explain to their listing clients that access should be made by removing storage. This not only speeds up the inspection process it avoids possible delays due to lack of access. If the NJ home inspector must return to the home the process slows down. Everyone wants an efficient home inspection process. One of the best ways to create efficiency is to have all areas open and accessible for the inspector.
The same issue occurs when there is significant storage in the basement or inside the attic. As New Jersey home inspectors we need to be able to view and traverse areas. If they are blocked by heavy storage, we cannot report on these areas and there will be potential delays getting complete home inspection findings. As a home inspector I can move light boxes and some items however, the issue is created when there is significant storge which impedes the inspector’s ability to move around and view fully all the areas being inspected. One of the biggest challenges we have as home inspectors is garages. Garages are often used as the catch all room and are sometimes packed with storage. If home inspectors can’t traverse or see we have to identify that area as not being inspected which can hold up the sale of the home. This issue seems to be getting worse where agents are telling clients to move storage to the garage. All they are doing is creating another accessibility issue. It would be wise to have the client’s put storage in a storage facility rather than pack the garage with storage from decluttering of the home.
Along the same lines is that in NJ home inspectors need to open the panel box cover to inspect the interior of the electrical panel box and wiring. It’s not an option, it’s a state requirement. If we can’t get to the electrical panel box, we can’t inspect it and the transaction can get delayed.
Please make small repairs, change the burnt light bulbs, and replace the furnace and A/C filters. Almost every home that I inspect minor repairs are neglected. There are burnt out bulbs and dirty furnace filters. There are leaking faucets, slow sinks, and toilets that flush poorly. There are fixtures that don’t work, and sometimes entire systems are not operational. If these small items are taken care of before the inspection, they don’t end up being part of the seller’s request list and the transaction goes much more smoothly. I understand that we are in a competitive market and that sellers are in control but what ever happened to having some pride in the home you are selling? Take care of the small items and the buyers will not have a reason to question the maintenance that has occurred in the past in the home. Having many small items shows a lack of maintenance and can start the buyer on the path of questioning the diligence of maintenance that has been performed.
It is beneficial to prepare a list of recent upgrades and improvements. The list should explain to the buyer that certain systems have been replaced and provide the permits for those upgrades if required by the municipality. If there is a newer roof tell the buyer in wiring. If there is a newer boiler tell the buyer and provide the closed-out permits. Having the permits handy shows the buyer that the seller did the upgrade or replacement the right way and the municipality inspected the system. Many transactions get held up because of lack of permits. Sellers, please get your permits and have them closed out
Sellers should not be present during the home inspection. The buyers should have this time alone with the home inspector to go through the house without interference. Buyers and the inspector should be able to talk freely so the buyer can have the proper learning experience with the home inspector. If the seller is present, there is the risk that the seller can get defensive about their property. Selling a home is an emotional event and it is best that the seller leaves the property for the home inspection.
Free roaming pets should be taken out of the home before the home inspection. There is nothing worse than a crated dog that barks for three hours during the home inspection. Dogs are the biggest issue here. Make sure they are removed from the property on home inspection day.
Get a pest inspection before the home inspection. Let’s be real buyers hate rodents. It is best to properly treat and seal all areas of possible rodent entry before the home inspection. If the home has a rodent problem, it should be fixed before the home is sold and before the home inspection.
Having a seller’s inspection may prove beneficial for some sellers. A prelisting inspection is a home inspection on a property that is going to be listed. Having a pre-listing inspection can bring to light issues before the home is sold so they can be addressed prior to listing the home. Prelisting inspections are not for everybody. A seller should speak to their agent about the pros and cons of doing such an inspection. One of the biggest possible issues is that any material defects found but not corrected will have to be disclosed by law to possible buyers of the home.
Preparing for the NJ home inspection is an important step in the real estate transaction process. Sellers should remove storage, remove clutter, make all areas accessible, provide upgrade documentation and make minor repairs. By doing this home sellers can show their commitment in properly maintaining their home and show the buyer they are committed to alleviating concerns that the buyers might have. A home that is properly prepared can have the positive effect of a faster smoother real estate transaction.