So, you’re preparing to put your home on the market and know with the rapid rate that houses are flying off the listing shelf in Austin and the surrounding area, offers are likely to come in quickly. How can you prepare for a smooth selling process amid all the chaos of multiple showings and bidding wars? While most of those details will come down to you and your real estate agent, check out the tips below to ready your home for a thorough home inspection:
Consider a pre-inspection. While not the final inspection in the buying/selling process, this report can instill confidence in potential buyers from the start. It can also put major concerns (especially problems with your electrical, plumbing, and/or HVAC systems) on your radar. Although we are currently in a highly-competitive sellers’ market and it is likely you won’t have to make many modifications to your home to sell, it can be comforting to know what you may expect during the offer process. Interested in a pre-inspection? Give us a call!
Ready your home. The good news is that while this list may initially seem exhaustive, many of these items will be addressed during the listing and showing process. As you prepare to review and accept the winning offer and the time draws closer to the actual inspection, here are a few items to be aware of around the house:
- Provide easy access to important areas such as the attic, water heater, sinks, and basement or crawl space.
- Keep a tidy home. While this is probably already taken care of for showing purposes, a clean home can be a good indication of the house’s general condition.
- Check for operation and alignment in your toilets, windows, doors, cabinets.
- Change any blown bulbs to save time. When a light is out, your inspector will either have to note it (which may cause concern) or search for faulty wiring. Avoid the hassle and make sure your lights are in good working order.
- Replace your air filters because (especially in Texas!) the HVAC is a huge component of the inspection. Clean air filters increase the function and longevity of your cooling system and replacing them regularly can help your inspection go smoothly.
At Barfield Home Inspection, we are in the business of helping people. We do not simply check the boxes and leave. It is up to us to prepare buyers (and sellers) with information to make an informed and confident decision and our goal is to help our clients as much as possible.
With a lifetime of experience, our owner and founder Randy Barfield knows houses from the inside out and from the roof down. We deliver thorough home inspection reporting and provide an in-depth explanation of our reports. We go above and beyond to ensure all questions are answered and clients feel confident – we even welcome follow-up questions after buyers read the report!
If you’re ready to work with the home inspection team you can trust, give us a call today at 512-350-0123. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on the Austin real estate market as well as handy home maintenance tips. Happy buying and selling, folks!
