Pro Inspector
Pro InspectorThese few simple items will help the Home Inspector, Seller, Buyer, and Realtors.

1. Confirm that the gas, water and electricity are turned on and that the gas pilot lights are burning.

2. Ensure all pets won’t hinder the inspection and inform everyone about pets to be kept inside.

3. Replace all burned out light bulbs.

4. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries if necessary.

5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters and verify that the filters fit properly and are secured in place.

6. Move wood, stored items or debris away from the foundation walls.

7. Unlock or remove locks from any items the inspector must access such as fence gates, attic access hatches or doors, electric service panels, special closets, crawl space access for pier-and-beam homes.

8. Confirm areas and components are accessible by removing items blocking access to electric service panels, sinks and bathtubs, ovens and cook tops, dishwasher, heating and air-conditioning equipment, water heaters, ground fault (GFCI) receptacles, attic access ladders or hatches, crawl space access for pier and-beam-construction.

9. Trim tree limbs back from the roof and shrubs away from the house.

10. Repair or replace broken, damaged or missing items such as door knobs, locks and latches, window locks and broken glass, window screens, anti-siphon devices on exterior faucets, rain gutters and downspouts (clean if necessary), chimney flue caps.

11. Remove autos from the garage and driveway.

12. Clean ashes from the fireplace and remove items from the fireplace hearth area.

13. Secure pets for their safety and the inspectors safety, we dont want pets to get loose or the inspector or buyers injury from a pet that turns aggressive.

14. Disclose important information such as plumbing issues, previous plumbing leaks, water penetration, foundation repairs, fires, electrical issues, etc, etc. Proper disclosure helps when the inspector finds a defect that has been disclosed and keeps it in perspective.

15. Remove the excessive clutter, if you are a collector of items they should be placed in storage while the home is being listed, shown and inspected. This allows full and proper access and also protects your belongings from accidental damage with buyers and inspectors trying to gain access to rooms, exterior walls, outlets and windows.

16. Do not leave unattended minor children at home by themselves to manage access to the home while adults are away. Inspectors, appraisers, etc may refuse to enter a home with only minor children at home with no adults present.

17. Often people are at home sick during an inspection, no one wants to be around you or your sick children while they are sick. None of use wants to spread sicknesses back to their friends and family members, if your sick let the parties know so the inspection can be rescheduled and be prepared to extend the option period.

This information was brought to you from satarei.com & Adams Inspection Services.

For free email advice, send your questions, comments or ideas to jeff32@satx.rr.com

For issues that are of particular interest to the real estate industry, we may publish (with your permission) your questions along with our answers on this web site.

wn text