The Best Home Seller Inspection List in 2021

So you’ve finally decided to sell your home in Phoenix, though you know that the condition is unfortunately less-than-ideal. To compensate, you have adjusted the price of your listing, but you are worried about what is going to happen when the buyer requests an inspection. The last thing you want to do is get caught off guard when you find out something is wrong last minute.

It’s not unusual for sellers to have inspections done on their homes before listing them. With an inspection, you can see the problem areas and let buyers know beforehand. You may choose to make the repairs before selling or lower the price of the home.

While you could hire a professional to do a home inspection for you, you also have the option of doing your own walkthrough by following these simple steps.

 

Walk Along Your Property

 

The best place to begin your home inspection is outside your home. It is up to you to make sure that the area around your home is well-maintained and that you have curb appeal. There are a few telltale signs that your property is in disarray:

• Standing Water: You need to make sure that there is proper drainage, especially once it has rained.
• Groomed Foliage: You don’t want any trees or shrubs to be out of whack or touching the home
• Cracks In Concrete:  If you have more than a few cracks in the concrete around your house or in the driveway, this could be an issue.
• Rotting Wood: Check your fencing, decking, and any other wooden elements around your home for rotting.

 

Check The Exterior

 

Make sure to check the exterior of your home while you are looking at the surrounding area for things like:

 

• Stucco or Sliding Defects: You don’t want any cracks or signs of decay on your exterior.
• Foundational Cracks: Cracks in the foundation can lead to serious damage in the long run.
• Roof Condition: Damage to the fascia or missing shingles are signs that a roof needs work. Too much roof damage might require repairs.
• Gutter Clogging or Damage: It is crucial to get your gutter cleaned regularly. Make sure to do so before listing your home.

 

Get Familiar With the Interior

 

It’s always a good idea to start with the top of your home’s interior and work your way to the bottom. Begin with your attic and end with your basement if you have one.

 

When in the attic, look for things like:

 

• Spliced or frayed electrical wires
• Rodent or insect infestation
• Damaged vents
• Standing water
• Holes
• Insufficient insulation

 

Once you have done that, begin checking the interior for:

 

• Chips, stains, or cracks on walls, floors, and ceilings
• Vent airflow
• Fireplace cracks or damage
• Up-to-date carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

 

The two main problem areas of most homes are the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure to check for a few things in these two rooms, including;

• Leaky pipes
• Damaged cabinets and drawers
• Working exhaust fans
• Lousy water pressure
• Chips or damage to the caulking

 

It may become apparent that there are things you need to fix once you’ve done your home inspection, though we recommend starting with issues related to structural problems or safety code violations first, as these are the problems that WILL come up during a professional inspection.