Congratulations! You’ve sold your house, and now the sale is conditional upon an inspection.

During the inspection, a third-party inspector will go through your home and evaluate every area of the property to provide the buyer with a detailed report about any problems with the roof, heating system, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, interior and exterior structures, and more.

As the seller, knowing what to look for can help you prepare for a home inspection so you should address obvious concerns in advance.

Replace the Furance’s Air Filter

The first area to attend to before the inspector arrives is replacing the furnace’s air filter. An air filter is a common household maintenance item that often gets overlooked but is important in removing contaminants that can damage the heating/AC system.

It’s not unusual for the inspector to pull out an air filter caked with dirt, bugs, pet fur, and dust. If he puts it in the report, it can become a bigger issue than it is in the eyes of a buyer. A home inspector may look at it and say, what else has been neglected if this has been overlooked? Make sure you change the air filter before he gets there. It’s an easy fix.

Replace Cracked and Missing Grout

Caulking is important for sealing a home from severe weather conditions and preventing water damage inside and out. Cracked caulking is one of the things many home inspectors look for around windows, doors, and other areas that can be penetrated with moisture, like sinks, tubs, and faucets.

Sellers should check if the caulking has deteriorated, and if it needs replacing, purchase high-grade caulking and restore missing caulk around fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms.

In the winter, it’s a good idea to wipe down window sills to ensure no condensation or mould, which can cause concern.

Foundation Cracks

This is a big one. Foundation cracks scare people, even if they’re superficial cracks. If the buyer is not savvy on the subject, or they have selected a home inspector who cannot properly educate them, it can be a deal breaker.

If your basement is unfinished, inspect the foundation walls for cracks. If you find any, consider repairing them before selling your home. Minor cracks can be repaired with kits available at your local hardware store, or hire a company to provide a long-term warranty –shop around as the prices vary wildly.

Inspect the Attic

When was the last time you poked your head into the attic? Most homeowners have never been up there, and it may be too late if the home inspector is the first to do it. Common findings in unexplored attics include;

• critter infestations,
• mould growth,
• leaking roofs,
• insufficient insulation
• suspected vermiculite insulation, and
• overblown insulation covering soffits, preventing airflow.

Make sure you change the furnace filter, repair caulking around windows, doors, and sinks, and fix any cracks in the foundation to reduce the chances of any unwanted surprises that could jeopardize the sale of your home.

If you’re considering selling your home and have questions about home inspections, call KT Realty at 1 (800) 617-0090.