Congratulations, you finally have a contract on your house! You have successfully jumped one hurdle, but another big one is headed your way – the home inspection. Some sellers look around and don’t see anything really wrong with their house, so they are quite surprised when they get a huge list of requested repairs as a result of the inspection.
Licensed from iStockPhoto
You and I see our houses every day, but an inspector comes in with a fresh set of eyes trained to look for specific things. While some of these items don’t seem like a big deal, an inspector is required to report them if not in proper working condition. A long list like this may send a message to the buyer that your house has not been well-maintained. Here’s a list of easy fixes you should address before putting your house on the market, and especially before the inspection:
- Replace batteries in all smoke detectors.
- Replace missing or broken switch and outlet cover plates.
- Repair leaky faucets.
- Tighten loose doorknobs.
- Repair or replace outdoor weather stripping.
- Caulk doors and windows at the exterior brick or siding.
- Replace damaged or missing window screens.
- Replace broken window seals in doors and windows.
- Replace burned out light bulbs.
- Secure loose hand and stair railings.
- Patch holes and cracks in walls and ceilings – then repaint.
- Replace heating & A/C filters.
It’s always best to take care of these deferred maintenance items before the house goes on the market. And don’t forget the lawn – curb appeal is extremely important and is the potential buyer’s first impression.
*List provided by The Kissee Home Inspection Team.
You must be logged in to post a comment.