Preparing for an inspection: what you should know

Preparing for an inspection: what you should know

Last updated on December 10th, 2020 at 05:49 am

Preparing your home for sale can be daunting. And, one of the vital aspects of the selling process is open house inspections.

In this article, we’ll share a few tips you can follow to prepare your home for an inspection to ensure your property leaves a fantastic impression on potential buyers. Let’s get started.

The importance of open house inspections

Open house inspections are key to the successful sale of your property for a number of reasons. First, house inspections give potential buyers a chance to see your property in the flesh – room sizes, property layouts, and other features can look drastically different in real life than they do in photos.

Second, it gives potential buyers the chance to ask questions – whether these are questions about the property itself, the land surrounding the property, or the local suburb.

Finally, if your potential buyers are from out of town, they’ll have a chance to explore the neighbourhood. For these reasons, regular house inspections make up a vital step in the sales process.

Tips for preparing your property for an inspection

Without further ado, here are our top tips for preparing your property for an inspection.

Clean and declutter

First and foremost, ensure your property is clean and clutter-free. This will allow the desirable features of your home to shine through. Pop things like toys, books, and other loose items into cupboard and draws. Give your kitchen and bathrooms a good clean, and your floors a quick vacuum or mop.

Keep at least one area neutral

If you can, remove any ‘personal’ items from a key area of your home, such as your living room. This will give potential buyers an opportunity to imagine their own furniture and décor in a space.

Repair obvious problems

Signs of neglect are a huge turn-off for potential buyers. Here are a few things you might need to repair before your first house inspection:

• Broken tiles
• Chipped or peeling paint
• Large, noticeable wall scuffs and stains
• Missing door knobs
• Water damage or mould

Spruce up your garden

First impressions count, so make sure your front – and back – garden areas are looking well-manicured. Mow the lawns, pull the weeds, and add in a few extra plants if some areas are looking sparse.

Let light in

Open up all blinds and curtains to make your property look light, bright, and expansive. This is much more attractive to potential buyers than artificial light.

Don’t lose sight on the end goal

House inspections are a lot of work – and chances are you’ll have to go through a fair few before your property sells. Don’t lose sight on the end goal, and best of luck on your sales journey!