What To Expect From a Home Inspection

What To Expect From a Home Inspection

If you’re selling your home in South Florida, a property inspection is likely on the horizon. Home inspections inform buyers of any damage or defects to the home before finalizing the sale. So, as the seller, knowing what to expect during the inspection can ensure that you’re fully prepared.

What Home Inspectors Look For

A home inspection, performed by a professional inspector, covers the structure and mechanics of a home to unveil any problems. While home inspections are completed during the home buying process, the inspector won’t give you an opinion on how much the home is worth or whether they consider the price to be fair. The only objective of the inspector is to provide a fair, unbiased assessment of the home and whether any issues are present.

The elements of your home that the inspector will look over include:

●  Roof
●  HVAC system
●  Interior plumbing
●  Electrical systems
●  Walls, ceilings, and floods
●  Windows and doors
●  Visible insulation
●  Structure components
●  Foundation
●  Termites

Home inspections generally last between two and four hours. This time period will vary depending on the size of your home, as larger homes will take longer to inspect.

Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Inspections

Home inspections may either be requested by a buyer or the seller. If the inspection is requested by the buyer, it happens after an offer has been made on the home, but prior to closing the sale. If it’s requested by the seller, the inspection occurs before the home is put on the market. This type of inspection can help prepare the house or condo for listing and speed up the closing process.

Home Inspection Tips For Home Sellers

If you’re selling your home, you’ll benefit from a complete final report from the home inspector. So, wherever possible, make the elements listed above accessible for the inspector. This will make the inspection run more smoothly.

●  Have defects such as cracked window panes or missing roof shingles replaced before the inspection, if possible. It may not be a good time to complete extensive repairs, but small fixes will improve the outcome of the inspection.
●   Provide a path to the HVAC unit, furnace, and/or water heater, given that these appliances will need to be checked during the inspection.
●  Clean up the attic so that the inspector can easily look it over.
●  Ensure that the inspector has the keys needed to access all of the areas of inspection, such as the electric panel.
●  If you’ve already moved out of your home, make sure the utilities are on.

Making sure that your home is clean and tidy will set you up for success before a house or condominium inspection.

For expert real estate service throughout the process of selling your South Florida home, contact Great Florida Homes today.