What Is Inspected And Covered

Many inspection reports are filled with the same neglected maintenance items that are prevalent in many homes. To move your home sale along to a faster and easier closing, you can assist the process with following these tips. Most of these items can be accomplished with little or no cost by the homeowner, while some may require professional services. However, the benefits of selling a well maintained home would be worth the effort and the investment.

Access

• Have clear access to electric panel, HAVC system, (these should always be maintained for safety reasons) attic, crawlspace and main water shut off valve.
• Check all utilities and verify that they are on. This includes gas, electric, water.
• Check that pilot lights are on and lighted where applicable.
• Clear all items from basement walls and interior walls for visibility.
• Clear items from cabinet areas under sinks in kitchen and bathrooms.

Exterior

• Trim all exterior vegetation a minimum of twelve inches from exterior walls.
• Grade all soil away from house and allow a minimum of six inches from exterior
  wood contact.
• Repair, caulk, and paint exterior where needed.
• Secure any loose gutters & downspouts. Clean if needed.
• Update or verify that exterior hose bibs are anti-siphon, operational and secured to walls.
• Exterior plugs should be GFCI protected and waterproofed coverings.
• Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, etc. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out basement entry drains.
• Remove stored items, debris and wood from the foundation and or deck areas.
• Ensure that proper grading is followed under deck area.
• Install proper vapor barrier in crawlspaces.

Interior

• Clean or replace HVAC filter.
• Check water heater for leaks and proper temperature setting (120 degrees).
• Make sure the TPR valve is present on water heater and properly extended to within six inches of floor.
• Check that sump pump is operating and discharging properly.
• Have stored fuel supply, such as fuel oil and propane adequately filled so components can be tested.
• Have all gas and propane fireplaces operational.
• Insure all electrical outlets are properly covered.
• Replace burned out light bulbs and verify all exterior and interior lighting fixtures are in proper working order.
• Verify that GFCI outlets trip and reset properly.
• Verify that there are GFCI in bathrooms and all kitchen areas within six feet of water sources.
• Verify that all appliances are plugged in and operational.
• Check all plumbing fixtures are properly operating with no leaks and properly secured, repair as needed.
• Repair any deteriorated caulking and grout in bathroom areas.
• Verify that all exhaust fans are properly vented and working properly.
• Check attic area for blocked soffit vents, missing screens, animal intrusion and nesting.
• Verify proper attic ventilation.
• Put all window and doors in operational condition.
• Attend to broken or missing items such as doorknobs, locks and latches, window panes, screens and locks.

Maintenance and Certifications

• Have HVAC components cleaned and inspected (annually) and leave copies of maintenance and/or certification for buyers/inspector.
• Have chimneys, woodstoves, fireplaces, pellet stoves, etc. cleaned (annually) and leave copies of maintenance and/or certification for buyers/inspector.
• Have underground fuel tanks certified and leave copies for buyers/inspector.
• Repair any roof damage and seal flashing as needed. If there is evidence of past water intrusion and repaired have certified by roofing inspector.
• Check the roof plumbing vent flashings for deterioration. Repair if needed.
• Have termite inspection and leave copy for buyer.
• Leave all documentation of recent work or repairs for buyer to review.
• Do not do quick cheap repairs. You may raise questions that will unfairly cause great concern to buyers and inspectors.