As sellers you get your Portland home all dressed up for her showings, but when you finally get that offer, you get lost in the hustle and bustle of the transaction. However there are 2 more very important showings ahead of you! The inspection and the appraisal. With that in mind, plan to spend a week or so getting ready for these important close-ups.
Inspection and Appraisal Checklist
Make sure the inspector/appraiser has access to all areas of your Portland home. Here are some of the most important places:
Attic. If your attic is accessed through a closet, take time to clear away clutter so the inspector can get up there quickly and easily. Have a ladder at the ready if needed.
Basement. Clear everything away from the exterior walls of the basement so they can be seen.
Utilities. Clear around the furnace, air conditioner, water heater and circuit breaker boxes.
Foundation. Clear brush away from the foundation.
Keep electricity on. If your Portland home is vacant, be sure to have the electricity turned on when the inspector comes. Otherwise many aspects of the inspection can’t be done, causing delay.
Keep pilot lights lit. Again, if the home is vacant, make sure to have any gas appliances on to avoid delays in the inspection process.
Print and copy documents of any mechanical upgrades and maintenance.
Replace furnace filters.
Replace burned out light bulbs.
Check all receptacles. If any aren’t working, it could be a simple fix for a few dollars.
Do The Work Upfront on Your Portland Home
You don’t want any question marks on your home inspection report. This could be a perceived as a black mark against your Portland home. Most sellers get nervous about the home inspection, but with these tips in mind, you can pave the way to a smooth, one-time process that is just another step in moving on.
One way to relieve some stress during the home selling process is to have the home pre-inspected before you list it. That way there are no surprises and the buyer can have peace of mind that they are offering on a home that they can just move right into.