How to Prepare for an Inspection
No home is perfect. Anything from major damage to minor maintenance issues are often found. Even new homes are not immune – they could have problems with the plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling system, or the roofing system just to name a few.

For homeowners, it’s important to be aware of any issues your home may have prior to putting it on the market. Getting a pre-listing home inspection will ensure that you’re aware of any problems and can take care of them on your terms – or present them as-is and adjust your selling price proportionally.  The alternative leaves you open to costly surprises and delays, and even potential deal-breakers once you’ve entered negotiations with the buyer.

For buyers, an inspection is vital to uncover issues that a home may have, but are invisible to the untrained eye.  It is a good way to protect yourself from ending up with a home that requires repairs that you are unable or unwilling to pay for.

Once your inspector has arrived, it is strongly recommended that you accompany him on the inspection of the property.  This is so you can become familiar with the home and its systems and their necessary maintenance as well as exactly what repairs the inspector recommends and why.  You might also want to prepare a list of items that you’ve seen in the home that you feel are cause for concern as well as any questions you may have.  The inspection is a great time to find out where the home’s water and gas shutoffs are and where the breaker box is.