Some states require home sellers to give detailed home inspection reports to buyers, while others allow buyers to do their own inspections. In some regions of the country, the seller is merely required to provide disclosures, and the buyer is responsible for Home Inspection Companies in Phoenix AZ. It’s ideal to be properly prepared, whether you’re waiting for a pre-listing home inspection for the homebuyer or anticipating the buyer’s home inspector to arrive on your doorstep.
Remove Obstruction
Remove any obstructions to your heater or air conditioners, such as boxes, books, and furniture. To inspect these objects, the inspector will require 3 to 4 feet of working space. Inspectors usually do not move things themselves during the inspection, so if they do not have enough access to the different important points, they may not be able to perform a good job. They may also refer you to someone else for the same task. Buyers would then have to pay for a professional, who will most likely be able to uncover even more flaws and defects. General inspectors are not as good at this job as specialists.
Clean the House
Although to a layman, it may seem like an obvious tactic, many homeowners tend to neglect it. Home inspectors are just like any other individual who may notice the apparent condition of your house before anything else. They may have some preconceived notions regarding the effectiveness and care with which the property was maintained by the owner. A tidy home actually conveys the message that you are truly concerned about its care and upkeep. It is always a wise idea to ensure a good first impression. Inspectors cannot see past grime and clutter, so don’t mistakenly think they can.
Connect Utilities
If the house is vacant, leave the utilities on since the home inspector will switch on the stove, use the dishwasher, and check the heater and air conditioning. When the power is switched off, it’s hard to check outlets and reverse polarity. The inspector would have to postpone if utilities are not available, which may cause your transaction to be delayed. It could also result in the purchaser’s home inspection contingency being removed. Some inspectors may charge the buyer a fee to return for a second examination, which might lead to resentment.
Be on Time
If an inspector schedules a 9:00 a.m. appointment with you, have the house fully ready for inspection by 8:30 a.m. Home inspectors can be quite earnest and often arrive early to inspect the property. Inspectors frequently begin their inspections on the exterior of the house, so keep the blinds down or the curtains were drawn until you’re clothed. A stranger tramping around outside in the backyard has stunned more than one unsuspecting seller.
Turn on Pilot Lights
Many house inspectors also will refuse to activate pilot lights since they lack the necessary insurance to cover such a risk or responsibility. If the pilot lights aren’t lit, important appliances like the water heater, stove, or furnace won’t be examined, and the buyer may postpone the closing till those inspections are performed. A return trip for a home inspection will almost certainly lead to extra charges by the home inspector.
Provide Access
Keep the way clear for the inspector to access your basement or attic. Check your basement to see if there are any signs of water or water damage. Move all the storage goods and boxes at least 2 feet away from the access points and the walls. Look for suspected rat droppings in the attic and protect any valuables.
Leave Your Keys
If the garage does not have an entrance from the inside of the house you should leave the keys or remote controls for the inspectors so they can easily enter the garage. Your sprinkler system as well as electrical box covers should be unlocked. For exterior building access, leave a key. The best way to make things even easier is to label the keys and place them on a kitchen table.
Clear Away
If snow drifts are obstructing the foundation, no one would expect you to build a tunnel around your house, but you should provide a way around the structure. In the summer, you can trim the dead tree limbs as well as clean brush from the foundation, and move all the garbage cans out of the way to make access easier.
Provide Documents
All documentation and bills related to new goods you’ve installed or remodeling projects, such as a new roof or an updated furnace, should be available. If you’ve recently upgraded the electrical system installed a new dishwasher machine, or fixed a leaky faucet, look for the paperwork. The customer will be more relaxed after knowing that the things were actually reinspected.
Prepare to Be Away
Homebuyers frequently attend the home inspections, and they often feel quite hesitant to ask important questions when the owner is nearby. Schedule the home inspection when you will be able to leave the house and bring your kids with you. If you cannot take your pets anywhere with you, put them in a cage for a while. It’s not uncommon for inspections to take 3 hours to complete.
Walk around your home to gain a sense of the areas where the inspector will focus his attention, such as electrical, plumbing, sewage, gutters, and the foundation. You do not have to be a professional inspector to do this. This is because you actually will not be trying to look for issues before the inspector arrives. All you have to do is simply ensure that the places are easily accessible, tidy, and well-kept. If you want to hire someone for a home inspection, National Property Inspection is the best for Phoenix AZ Home Inspection. Their inspectors are very skilled and can perform a really good job.