Everything’s set ready to sell your house in Atlanta, but the most critical step of this house-selling process is the inspection of your home. It’s through the house inspection checklist that an ordinary seller can identify or realize issues in the house before the problem turns out to be a nightmare for the buyer. Here’s everything you need to consider about inspections when selling your home.
Why Get a Pre-Inspection?
A pre-inspection can be beneficial for a home seller. Here are some reasons why it can help:
- You notice issues early: Because it’s a pre-inspection, it allows you to catch any problems in the home before a buyer does. We don’t want buyers coming along and pointing out issues during the buyer’s inspection because this could result in having to lower the sale price or lose the deal altogether.
- Limit your liability: If you know about the various issues, you reduce your risk of getting into legal trouble later.
- It builds buyer confidence: A pre-inspection report helps prove everyone did their part in the inspection process so the buyer has an element of confidence in their purchase. If the potential buyer feels comfortable, it may speed up the sale.
What Do Home Inspectors Check?
When an inspector comes to assess your home, they will go through critical areas that check your home’s condition. Here is what they usually follow:
- Structure: They check upon the foundation, roof, walls, and floor for any damage or wear.
- Electrical: Wiring, electric panel, and outlets will be inspected for safety.
- Plumbing: Inspectors shall test water pressure, check for leaks, and inspect pipes and fittings.
- HVAC: They test the furnace, air-conditioning, and ventilation to be in good working condition.
- Appliances: Major appliances are tested to be working properly.
Home Sellers Checklist of Inspection
Here are a few things to check before your inspector comes, so your home will shine in the best condition possible:
- Walk Your Property: Start by inspecting the outside of your home. Make sure the exterior is well maintained because outdoor curb appeal can make a great first impression. Look out for:
- Look for standing water after rain, which could indicate poor drainage.
- Check for overgrown trees or shrubs touching the house, which can cause damage or pest issues.
- Check for cracks in driveways or walkways, which might need attention.
- Look for wood rot in fences, decks, or other wooden structures.
- Test Essential Features:
- Make sure all window and door locks are functioning, and all seals are in order.
- Make sure all the water sources, including faucets and toilets, are operational.
- Check that bathroom exhaust fans work.
- Verify that all light switches work and the electrical outlets are functional.
- Test garage doors manually and with the remote, and check the reverse safety setting.
- Confirm that heating ducts in crawl spaces are connected.
- Inspect the fan ducts to ensure they vent properly out of the attic.
- Check Utilities:
- Inspect plumbing for leaks.
- Ensure all visible electrical wiring is in good condition.
- Replace air filters in your HVAC system, and clean visible ductwork.
What to Do After Your Inspection
Fix any issues you find related to safety, code violations, or structural problems. If major issues like foundation damage or termite rot appear, consider selling your home “as-is” to cash home buyers in Atlanta, like Diamond Equities. We buy houses in Atlanta in any condition and close within 7 to 14 days. There are no closing costs, commissions, or hidden fees!
