How To Prepare for a Home Inspection
Learn how to prepare for a home inspection and help ensure your home is ready to pass with flying colors.
You found a great agent, prepared your home for sale, attracted buyer interest, got great offers, and accepted one. Next step: the home inspection. Knowing how to prepare for a home inspection is vital when you’re a seller to help the process proceed without unnecessary delays.
To get you ready, we’ve tapped veteran home inspectors and a top real estate agent to share insider tips and advice to help you prepare for inspection day.
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Home inspection basics
A home inspection is a visual inspection performed on behalf of a buyer. The inspector looks for any safety, health, and mechanical issues that don’t meet your state’s standards or the buyer’s lender’s requirements.
What do home inspectors look for?
Inspectors examine properties from the roof to the foundation. “We look for things that are significantly deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or not functioning properly,” says Tim Buell, former president of the American Society of Home Inspectors.
When your home’s systems fail, they can cause a mountain of problems, including electrical fires, unstable foundations, and unsafe living environments. Repairs can be costly for the potential future owners, threatening to tank the sale.
The following list encompasses some red flags inspectors look for:
Structural integrity issues
- Foundation settlement
- Cracks in basement walls
- Warping, moisture, and mold in crawl spaces
- Gaps between walls and floors or around windows and door frames
Roof damage
- Loose, missing, or buckled shingles
- Attic and ceiling moisture
- Cracked, rusted, and missing flashing
Water damage
- Mold growth on the property
- Wood rot
- The sound of leaks behind walls
- Flood damage
- Water stains
Plumbing problems
- Rusted and broken pipes
- Leaking pipes
- Running toilets
- Leaking faucets
Electrical system issues
- Exposed wires
- Spliced or taped wiring
- Knob and tube wiring
- No GFCI outlets
Malfunctioning HVAC systems
- Cracked ductwork
- Inconsistent temperatures
- Rusted units
- Rattling, clanking, thumping, or hissing noises
Pest infestation
- Rodent droppings
- Termite damage
- Chewed roofing materials
- Nesting in attics
For a comprehensive inspection checklist from NACHI, download their PDF checklist.
