Ten TIps

Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing.

  1. Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning. Especially, gas log systems. We are only going to try so many times to light the gas log system. We also don't know if the pilot lights are off because of the season or if there is a serious prior problem with the unit.
  2. Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside. Make sure your agent relays any information about any pets left at home. Even if we are dog and cat people, we still need to know.
  3. Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "Light failed to operate" staement that may suggest an electrical problem.  We really don't want to write this, but we also don't want to OK a bad light fixture.
  4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries. It's a good idea anyway.
  5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.  Also, have all your windows closed, with the A/C or heat turned on and set at about 72".
  6. Remove stored items, debris and wood from the crawlspace interior. These may be cited as "conducive conditions" for termites.  Make sure the crawlspace access door is unlocked and access into the crawlspace is clear. It's incredible what we have to crawl over sometimes just to start the foundation inspection.
  7. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attic areas and crawl spaces.  If we cannot fully access a system or area, it wil be reported and could extend the inspection process.
  8. Unlock areas the we must access - attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces. But don't worry if you can't find the key, we carrt heavy duty bolt cutters in our trucks.
  9. Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access. This is probably the least of our concerns.
  10. Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.  Please installed coverplates on outlets and switches. Also, one of the most common reportable items are those small electrical junction boxes containing wire splices without a containment lid installed. These are usually found in the attics or crawlspaces.

Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property.  Most people by now have gone through one phase or another of a home inspection. Pull out that old home inspection report and see what reportable items were noted, making sure they were repaired or addressed. Remember, as North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector's, we work under the guidelines of one of the strictest licensure boards(NCHILB) in America.