How to Prep Your Home to Address Issues Before the Home Inspection

A home inspection is one of the biggest sources of stress for sellers—and for good reason.

Even small issues can raise red flags for buyers, potentially delaying your sale or lowering the final price. But here’s the good news: many of them are preventable. With a little proactive effort, you can tackle problems before they become deal-breakers.  Let’s talk about how to prep your home to address issues before a buyer does a home inspection.

Electrical

What inspectors look for
Exposed or outdated wiring, missing GFCI outlets near water sources, double-tapped circuits, and overloaded panels.  Certain brands of electrical panels are no longer insurable.

What to do
If your home is older or if you’ve noticed flickering lights or tripped breakers, hire a licensed electrician to inspect your system. At the least, swapping in GFCI outlets and fixing exposed wiring are relatively inexpensive fixes that can go a long way in showing that your home is safe and up to code.

Plumbing

What inspectors look for
Leaky faucets, clogged drains, low water pressure, rusty or loose pipes, and signs of moisture around sinks and tubs and in basements

What to do
Check under all your sinks and around toilets for leaks and water stains. Small issues like a slow drip and loose pipes are usually easy to resolve with a wrench and some plumber’s tape. If you notice musty odors or mold in any room, consider hiring a pro to assess and remediate the problem before listing.

Roof and gutters

What inspectors look for
Missing or damaged shingles, roof age, signs of leaks, and clogged or broken gutters

What to do
Clean out your gutters and downspouts, looking for visible damage as you go. If your roof is older, have it professionally inspected before listing. Replacing a few shingles or flashing may be all that’s needed—and it will indicate to buyers that you’ve maintained the home.  Insurance in Florida has really taken note of the age and condition of your roof.

HVAC system

What inspectors look for
Inefficient heating or cooling, dirty filters, damaged ductwork, and systems that are past their prime

What to do
Replacing air filters and cleaning ducts can improve performance, while a professional tune-up will provide peace of mind to buyers. It may also help to gather any documentation showing regular maintenance, especially if your system is older.

Foundation

What inspectors look for
Visible cracks, uneven floors, and signs of settling that could indicate structural concerns

What to do
Small cracks in drywall or basement walls are normal, but large, widening ones may indicate more serious concerns. Cosmetic fixes like patching cracks and replacing warped baseboards can help your home show better—just don’t try to hide a major issue.

Interior

What inspectors look for
Water stains on the ceilings.  Cracked ceilings.  Torn window screens or fogged windows.  Windows and doors that do not open and close properly.

What to do
Repair any old water stains or cracked ceilings.  Be sure that you have addressed the cause of these items as well.  Fogged windows are typical in our area.  There are local glass companies that can replace the glass.  Torn screens can easily be rescreened.

Exterior

What inspectors look for
Damaged siding, peeling paint, broken windows, and other signs of neglect.

What to do
Walk around your home with a critical eye and make updates to any areas that may otherwise negatively impact curb appeal. This may include replacing rotted trim, repairing screens, and touching up paint.  Rotted wood will need to be repaired in order for most buyers to obtain a loan in our area.

There are many pluses of addressing issues before you put your home on the market:  Your home will appear well taken care of.  You will not be rushed to get repairs done – once you are under contract, timing become tight.  You are more likely to have a smooth sale.