Bob from Victor writes: I recently had to sell my 4 family rental property to help replace all the money I have lost in the stock market over the last three years. When the buyer had a home inspection the inspector found many needed repairs which he called deferred maintenance. These repairs ultimately cost me several thousand dollars to remedy if I wanted to sell the building to that buyer. What could I have done to better prepare my property for the home inspection?
Bob I’m very sorry about the stock market. At least you had the 4 family to sell. What follows in this article is a highly top secret formula, generally for home inspector’s eyes only. The top ten ways to pass your home inspection.
Are You Selling Your House or Building?
10 Sure-Fire Ways to Pass Your Home or Building Inspection
# 1 COMMUNICATION Be accessible during the inspection, be on-site but don’t crowd the inspector. It is not necessary to accompany the inspector, just be available to answer any questions.
# 2 REMOVE ALL CLUTTER Remove objects blocking hatchways, attic access panels, basement areas. Clean & broom sweep common areas including parking spaces. Establish perception of pride of ownership! First Impressions last! Clutter detracts from value.
# 3 ROOF MAINTENANCE Older roofs scare people! Replace missing shingles, remove debris, and inspect valleys. A few hundred dollars of roof maintenance can make an old roof last longer!
# 4 HEATING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE Have accessible a recent invoice for cleaning, maintenance and inspection by a heating professional, including air conditioning, gas fireplaces, auxiliary garage heaters, and vent free appliances.
# 5 CHIMNEY The fireplace and/or woodstove and chimney should be cleaned and inspected by a chimney professional. Have recent invoice of cleaning and inspection available.
# 6 SECURITY AND SAFETY Replace broken windows; make sure all locks including entrance door, window sash locks, and patio doors operate correctly. Test and maintain electronic security devices. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are in place and in working order. All interior and exterior stairways should have railings. # 7 DRY UP A WET BASEMENT Perform cleaning, maintenance, and adjustment to the entire gutter system. All gutter downspouts should deposit roof water 6-10 feet away from the foundation. Always maintain positive slope away from the foundation. Sump pump or pumps should be in working order.
# 8 REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PEELING PAINT Prime & paint all peeling areas. Peeling paint detracts from value!
# 9 ELECTRICAL Repair all broken outlets, switches, and light fixtures. Replace all blown light bulbs. Make sure all electrical boxes have covers, including the main panel boxes.
#10 PLUMBING Repair all leaks professionally. Remove all radiator hoses, hose clamps, and epoxy repairs from the plumbing system. Clean-up and lubricate all corroded shut off valves.
In the end, how easily you sell your property completely depends on whether you practice proactive maintenance or reactive maintenance. A few hundred dollars usually comes back in the way of increased value when you sell.
Jim Salmon
Jim Salmon is the president of Jim Salmon Home Inspectors Inc. Personally having inspected over 6000 residential homes. Jim is the host of the WHAM Home Repair Clinic radio program and the WHAM Real Estate program heard live each Saturday morning from 6:00 to 9:30 and Sunday morning from 9:00 to 10:00. Jim Is the president of the Rochester Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Visit JimSalmon.com, one of the best home repair web sites on the internet. To invite Jim To speak at your event, email Jim at Jiminspect@aol.com. 585-589-5650.
