If you're selling your house, a little preparation before the inspector arrives can make the whole process go smoother — with fewer concerns that could delay your closing. Here's what to check ahead of time:
- Make sure the inspector has access to the house, furnace, water heater, and air-conditioning units — especially any housed in a closet, the attic, or a crawlspace.
- Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, the electrical service panel, and the water heater.
- Make sure the garage door opens, and that the water heater, utility panel, shutoff valves, and GFCI resets inside it are accessible.
- Unlock areas the inspector needs to reach — attic doors, the electrical panel, closets, fence gates, and crawlspaces.
- Ensure all utility services are on, with gas pilot lights burning.
- Secure pets outside or off the premises, and let your agent know about any pets at home.
- Replace burned-out bulbs to avoid a "light did not operate" note that might suggest an electrical issue.
- Trim tree limbs to 10 feet from the roof and shrubs to 1 foot from the house.
- Attend to broken or missing items — doorknobs, locks, latches, windowpanes, screens, gutters, downspouts, and chimney caps.
Checking these areas before your home inspection is a worthwhile investment in selling your property, and it helps keep your closing on schedule.