Selling your home

Speed up your home inspection

Here are 10 things you can do to speed up your inspection:

• Make sure gas, water, and electricity are turned on and gas pilot lights are burning.
• Ensure that pets won't hinder the inspection. Tell your REALTOR® about cats or other animals that should be kept inside.
• Replace any burned-out light bulbs.
• Test all smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed.
• Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters.
• Move any wood, stored items, or debris away from the foundation.
• Unlock or remove locks from any items the inspector must access: gates in fences, electric service panels, crawl space hatches for pier-and-beam construction, attic access hatches or doors, and special closets.
• Remove any items or debris blocking these areas: electric service panels, water heaters, attic access ladders or hatches (some debris may fall when hatch is opened), crawl-space access hatches for pier-and-beam construction, heating and air-conditioning equipment.
• Trim back tree limbs from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.
• Repair or replace broken, damaged or missing items; door knobs, locks, and latches, window screens, rain gutters and downspouts, window locks, broken glass, anti-siphon devices on exterior faucets, and chimney flue caps.

Following these 10 steps can make your home inspection go faster and result in a cleaner inspection report.

SOURCE: Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors