How to Prepare for a Home Inspection When You’re Selling a Home in Naples

If you’re like many people selling a home in Naples, you know that your buyers will hire a home inspector. The inspector will check all the systems that keep your home running, as well as its structural integrity, to make sure that the buyer knows about any potential issues they’ll face after making the purchase. That means you need to know how to prepare for a home inspection, which this guide explains.

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection When You’re Selling a Home in Naples

First things first: You should make any repairs that your home needs before you list the house for sale. If you know about problems, you’re legally required to disclose them to prospective buyers – and if your home has issues, buyers may not be willing to pay what you’re asking. That means fixing problems you know about can prevent issues with your buyers.

In the meantime, here’s how to prepare for a home inspection when you’re selling your home:

Make sure the inspector has easy access throughout your home
Tidy up the home
Replace light bulbs
Go through every room to check for problems

Here’s a closer look at each.

Ensure the Inspector Has Easy Access

Make sure that entries to each room are clear so the inspector can access all your spaces. That goes for the attic, too; the inspector will have a ladder, but it’s up to you to make sure there’s enough room for your buyer’s inspector to move around in the space.

Tidy Up Your Home

Cleaner, neater homes tend to fare better on home inspections than those that are cluttered do. You should clean the house as if you were preparing for a showing with an interested buyer.

Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs

Light bulbs are among the simplest fixes – but if you have bulbs that are burned out, you can be sure they’ll end up on your inspection report. Your goal with a home inspection is to ensure that it’s as “clean” as possible, so go through your house and hunt for bulbs that need to be replaced.

Go Through Every Room to Check for Problems

As you make your way throughout each room in your home, you need to:

Test the functionality of all the items an inspector will check
Check your safety and security precautions
Make repairs as necessary

What Home Inspectors Check

Home inspectors check a home’s basic functionality. The one your buyer hires will most likely look at:

Furnace filters
Stoves and ovens
Insulation in the attic
Window function, plus locks and seals
Toilets and faucets
Ceiling and bathroom fans
Light switches
Garage doors
Door function, plus locks, seals and weather stripping
Downspouts
Heating ducts
Fan ducts
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
Gas lines and chimney entry points
Caulking around bathtubs and sinks
Ceilings and walls (to inspect for water damage or mold, as well as cracks)
Trees hanging near or over your home
Systems that run your home, including electrical, plumbing, and in some cases, HVAC

What to Do on Inspection Day

When you’re preparing for a home inspection, there are a few last-minute ends to tie up on the day the inspector comes to your home. Keep all your utilities on, double-check that the inspector will have clear access to all the necessary areas, and leave the house. Some buyers come to the home inspection with their inspectors, so take your pets, as well.

Remember, buyers don’t expect your home to be perfect; in fact, they know that there will be a few issues. However, it’s your job to make sure those issues are minor – and that you’ve handled all the major issues that could cause a buyer to cancel your transaction.

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Naples?

Selling your home is a big deal, so you need to work with a REALTOR® who can get it right. We know how to market your home to all the right buyers, regardless of its price point. We’ll help you sell your home quickly and at the best possible price!

If you’re looking for a home for sale in Naples, we’re here to help. We specialize in luxury real estate and can show you any listing. In the meantime, please feel free to explore what’s available now: