At Superior Home Inspections, we know that an inspection can be a reminder of the issues you might have turned a blind eye to over the years. That is why it is very important to have an inspection done before putting your house on the market. This allows you to resolve issues or adjust the price of your home accordingly before they become a problem in negotiating a deal.

Don’t let the home inspection stress you. We recommend that you form a team with your home inspector to make the process easier and more effective.

Here are 4 essential things for sellers to keep in mind:

• Make the House Tidy and Accessible

A home inspector needs access to numerous areas from the rooftop to the foundation. If there are obstacles in the way, he can’t do a thorough job, so before the appointment time arrives, please ensure the house is clean and barrier-free.

It’s a good idea to move furniture away from outlets so that they can be tested, and clear any dishes from the sink. Also, leave keys to all attics, crawl spaces, and outbuildings. If an inspector must return at a later date to inspect areas that are not accessible during the initial inspection, it could involve added expense.

• Move your Pets

Inspections might require opening exterior doors multiple times allowing pets the opportunity to escape. Board your pets for a few hours, if you can, or ask a friend to watch them for a while.

• Avoid Disguising Problems

We know that some issues don’t seem like a big deal. Some might make you worry about the inspection results, but an inspector is tasked with giving an accurate report of the home’s condition. If anything is hidden, the report can’t help anyone.

• Please Don’t Shoot the Messenger

Let’s say that the inspection report reveals a lot of major defects. No one wants that result, but it doesn’t always have to spell disaster for the sale of the house. In some cases, defects can make for a great negotiation.

Home inspectors are required to give an honest report. It’s part of the industry code of ethics.