The Home Inspector’s Pre-Listing Seller Checklist

The condition, appearance and functionality of your home will have a significant impact on how much you sell for, how many offers you receive, and how much time you spend going back and forth after the inspection.

Your agent will guide you on design aspects such as staging, layout, and de-cluttering, but we want to talk about the common home inspection items that will save you money, time and prevent buyer’s from getting spooked.

If you’re not getting a pre-listing home inspection done, use these tips to take care of the items that buyer’s and their inspectors will surely point out and ask for.

Exterior Appearance

Your agent will remind you of the importance of first appearances. Try walking up to your home with fresh eyes as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Would you be impressed? Would you think this home was well-cared for?

• If your siding or exterior paint is worn, peeling or cracking consider adding a fresh coat
• Check front door appearance to see if it needs a new coat or new fixtures
• Buy a new welcome mat
• Consider buying pots of bright, colorful flowers to put along your entryway path to enhance curb appeal
• Keep the lawn mowed, pull weeds and trim any overgrown shrubs

Interior Cosmetics & Common Issues

Some interior items simply take away from your home’s visual appeal, while others are home inspection items that can and will be asked for by buyers.

• Consider replacing outdated fixtures like door and cabinet handles, faucets, sinks, & shower heads
• Run each of your sinks and check underneath for leaks
  • If there was a leak in the past, make sure to replace particle board or clean stains
  • Run showers to make sure fixtures aren’t leaking
• If your kitchen cabinets are worn and dated, consider refinishing, re-facing, or adding a fresh coat of paint
• Make sure all switches, light bulbs, and doors/windows are working as they should
• Patch any holes, peeling/cracking paint, or worn areas on trim and baseboards

Deep Cleaning

This should go without saying, but many sellers still underestimate a sparkling clean homes impact on offer price. Go through and knock these out, or hire a cleaning service to get your house in top shape:

• Vacuum, mop and/or refinish floors
• Steam clean carpets or replace if necessary
• Wipe down all baseboards
• Dust everywhere
• Clean windows inside and out
• Wipe down doors, handles and all high traffic areas where handprints might appear
• Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms as this is a high value area that people tend to look at with a more critical eye, this should include:
  • Cleaning the stove, exhaust hood, fridge, counters and inside of cabinets
  • Cleaning toilet bowls and shower lining/tracks
  • Get a new shower curtain and shower mats
  • Wipe down or re-grout if necessary

Common Home Inspection Items

Buyers will most likely do their own home inspection but you can get out ahead of these items and save money by taking care of them yourself.

1. Have an electrician upgrade any outlets that aren’t GFCI protected. This can cost a couple hundred dollars, but many buyers will ask for a credit for this as it can pose a safety hazard.
2. Check your downspouts around the home to make sure they extend at least 6 feet away from your foundation. You can pick these up at Home Depot or Lowe’s for $10.
3. Have your HVAC systems and water heater cleaned and serviced – this should cost around $100-$150.