How to Prepare for an Annual Home Inspection

Home inspections are a pain, but unfortunately, they are something many homeowners and renters have to deal with. Homeowners looking to prepare their house to sell will have to get past an inspector at some point. Renters are often subjected to the dreaded annual inspection commissioned by the landlord to make sure the property is being kept up.

Though a home inspection can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. If you follow some simple guidelines, you can get through it with flying colors and move on with your life.

First, make sure that you’ve tested all your light fixtures and they are all working. This is one of those basic things the inspector will look at. If some of your lights are not in working order, he will assume there are bigger problems with the home. Next, replace your furnace filter and make sure all of your HVAC equipment including the furnace, water heater, AC and appliances are in operating correctly.

Windows, screens, and doorknobs also need to be looked at thoroughly. Windows and screens should open and close smoothly, and doorknobs should be tight. Along the same lines, check the handrails and make sure they’re tight as well. It may be worthwhile to hire a handyman to come out and fix any of these and other little blemishes that could be discovered by an inspector.

Finally remember first impressions are very important so be sure to clean your place. Just like you wouldn’t dress in rags for a job interview if you hope to land the job, you don’t want to present a dirty and messy home to an inspector. On the other hand, if you clean your home thoroughly inside and out, the inspector is far more likely to look at the rest of the inspection in a favorable light.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to passing your inspection with flying colors!