Selling a house is no easy task. There are lots of things that needs to be done to prepare your home for selling. From cleaning and decluttering to staging to advertising and showing, the entire process can be exhausting and stress-inducing.

Just because you have received an offer on your house, it’s not a guarantee that the sale will push through. You still need to pass the home inspection. A home inspection gives buyers a clear picture about the current condition of the property. Depending on what comes up on the inspection report, the buyer can negotiate a lower price, ask you to do some repairs or just walk out of the transaction.

If you want to sell your home fast and for top dollar, make sure that you prepare for the home inspection. Listed below are some dos and don’ts you should consider before the home inspector arrives. With these tips, you are sure to convince homebuyers to scurry for their checkbooks.

DOs

Get a pre-listing inspection

Selling the house quickly and for top dollar is a dream most sellers share. To do that, you want to make sure that you house is in tiptop shape before putting it on the market. One of the best ways to prepare your home for selling is by getting a pre-listing inspection.

A pre-listing inspection gives you a clear picture about the current condition of your home. It can help you avoid any surprises along the way and can streamline the process. Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to address some issues early on, so you have a better chance of having a smoother, quicker selling process.

In some states, there are no licensing requirements for home inspectors. This makes it difficult to separate the goods ones from the inexperienced ones. To ensure that you hire a qualified home inspector, ask for credentials and certifications. You may also want to review a sample home inspection report. You want to make sure that the information presented is in a clear and thorough format. It is also best to do your research. Read reviews from past clients and check the company’s references. Sometimes, you need to do a little inspecting on your own to find the best inspector.

Clean your house

Having prospective buyers and home inspectors in your house can be a daunting thought. They’ll be checking every nook and cranny and look for flaws or issues in your home. That said, you want to make sure that your house is clean, organized, and presentable.

Nothing will turn off a buyer more than a messy, cluttered house. Home inspectors and potential buyers may also assume that your house wasn’t cared for.

Clean your home like a pro and pay particular attention to the bathrooms and kitchen. Don’t forget to look inside your drawers, cupboards, and cabinets. While you’re at it, get rid of things you no longer need or use. Remember, a stylish home is one that is clean, decluttered, and easy to move around in.

Be on time

Most inspectors come early. Others arrive 15 minutes ahead of schedule. So, if the inspection is scheduled at 9:00 am, make sure that you are dressed and ready to go by 8:45 am.

Many of them would start inspecting the exterior of the house as soon as they arrive. So, make sure that you wake up and prepare early. The last thing you want is for the home inspector to be walking around the house while you’re dressing up. Be on time because the home inspector will be.

Check your home’s exterior

As mentioned above, the exterior is the first thing home inspectors will check, so you want to make sure it’s in great shape. If your home’s exterior is cluttered, now is the best time to take care of it.

Trim your bushes, mow the lawn, and clear the sidewalk. If you are selling in winter, then you need to shovel and salt the walkways. Also, consider repainting the faded window and front door to make your home more attractive.

Turn on all utilities

A home inspector will not only examine the different areas of the house, he will also check the air conditioner, furnace, dishwasher, and the water heater. Without utilities, he won’t be able to check these appliances. The inspection will need to be rescheduled and the closing will be delayed. We highly recommend that you leave the utilities connected even after you have moved out of the house.

Have paperwork ready

The inspector may want to know when you last had your HVAC system serviced or had the chimney cleaned. Gather all the necessary paper and documents of all repairs that you have done on your home.  It is also a good idea to include receipts of the appliances and fixtures, so it would be easier to prove their age.

Provide easy access to different areas of your home

Make sure that you provide access to different areas of your home. Otherwise, they won’t be able to do the job thoroughly. Provide unobstructed access to the basement, crawlspace, attic, and other areas. Unlock doors and gates to the garage, shed or any other rooms in the house.

Your HVAC system and hot water tank will also be inspected. Check them before the scheduled date of inspection and make sure that they are properly functioning.  A home inspector will need at least 3 to 4 feet of space in order to inspect it thoroughly. Provide workspace around hot water tank and HVAC system by removing furnitures, boxes or bookcases that may be blocking access to these areas.

DON’Ts

Hover around

More often than not, buyers tag along during the home inspection. After all, this is the perfect opportunity to learn as much as they can about the house they are interested in. They may feel uncomfortable to ask questions or point out some issues if you’re inside the house.

The average home inspection takes about 2 to 3 hours. Sometimes, it may take longer. Make sure that you have something planned for the afternoon. Don’t forget to take your pets with you. Also, make sure all pet accessories and toys are tucked away out of sight. You may be a dog person, but you should also consider that not everyone likes them. You shouldn’t take your chances by leaving your precious pets around strangers.

Leave obvious issues unfixed

A house is one of the biggest purchases one would make in this lifetime. Considering the amount of money that will be put towards the house, homebuyers want to make sure that house is in tiptop shape. The last thing you want is for them to assume that the house hasn’t been cared for or maintained. Remember that at this stage, they are deciding whether or not your house is worth investing on.

Fix obvious problems before having the house inspected. Any issue you expect to show up on the home inspection report should be dealt with by now. There is no point in masking certain issues as home inspectors will likely uncover them.

Forget about safety and security

Our home is our safe haven. It is where we relax and unwind after a long, stressful day at work. Aspiring homeowners aren’t just looking for a lovely house, they are also looking after their family’s safety and security. With that, we highly recommend that you check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Both devices are life-saving tools, and you want to make sure that they operating properly.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to feel excited and overwhelmed when house hunting. Often, they fall in love with a certain Denver property and will tend to ignore some of the issues that are present in the house. This is where a Denver home inspection comes in.

A home inspection will give you a clear picture of the overall condition of the house. This way, you can make a more informed decision and have peace of mind knowing that the property you’re interested in is good shape.

Here are 4 common problems found during home inspection.

Foundation issues

Many Denver houses sustain foundation damage as a result of poor soil conditions, inferior ground foundation, improper damage, and other causes. No matter what has caused the problem, foundation issues are not something that should be taken lightly. The cost of repairing the damage can cost a fortune. The foundation may also move and shift over time, which is extremely dangerous.

Roof damage

The roof is your first line of defense against rain, wind, sun, and snow. Despite its importance, most Denver homeowners don’t give their roof much thought until something goes wrong.

Although roofs can last for 20 to 30 years, it is important to check on your roof from time to time, especially after a storm. Look out for missing or cracked shingles and fix the problem in the soonest possible time. A Colorado roof replacement is expensive, so keep an eye out when you have the house inspected.

Faulty wiring

Electrical issues are one of the most common problems found during a home inspection. The problem ranges from circuit overload to a circuit breaker tripping frequently to frequent electrical surges. These are serious issues that are frequently linked with house fires.

Plumbing problems

Leaks are the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. Often, there will be leaks under the sink or under the toilets. Most homeowners tend to ignore this problem, thinking it is just a minor issue. But if left unaddressed, this may lead to a bigger, more complicated problem that will require costly repairs.

A simple leak, for instance, may lead to water damage and a mold problem. These issues will not only cause structural damage, it can also pose a threat to the health of the homes inhabitants.

Selling a house is no easy feat. It goes beyond just putting a for sale sign on the front lawn. It requires a lot of hard work and patience.

Most homes do sell, it just takes time. But if your house has been on the market for weeks or months with just a couple of showings, there must be something wrong.

Here are 4 reasons why your house hasn’t sold.

The listing photos are bad

Most buyers begin the home buying process online. They would browse through some online listings, hoping to find a property that they would find interesting. Once they find something they like, that’s the only time they would drive by the property or schedule a viewing. This is why listing photos are so important.

Since potential buyers use listing photos to decide which homes to visit, make sure that you upload good quality photos. Showcase your home’s best features. Shoot wide angles with plenty of light. If possible, hire a professional photographer.

It’s overpriced

Most sellers would price their house high in the hopes of getting more money out of their property. This is a huge mistake that will cost you big in the long run.

Weeks have passed since you listed your home, yet there have only been a couple of showings. Chances are, you haven’t received an offer either. If your home is overpriced, it is important that you make an adjustment as soon as possible. The longer your property lingers on the market, the less money you’ll have in your pocket. Remember, pricing your home correctly from the beginning is crucial.

The property isn’t in good condition

In order to sell your house fast and for top dollar, you want to make sure that your house is in good condition before putting it on the market.

Getting a pre-listing inspection is always a good idea as it will help you determine the overall condition of your house. Plus, you’ll be able to identify the issues that need to be fixed immediately. If your house isn’t in great shape, it will linger on the market longer. If you haven’t taken any steps to improve the condition of the house, then we won’t be surprised why it hasn’t sold yet.

Your house is dark

Our home is our safe haven. It is where we relax by the end of the day and feel safe. If you want to sell your house quickly, your goal is to help potential buyers envision themselves in your home. You want to create a house that feels cozy and inviting.

A house that is dark feels small and cramped. It does not give a good first impression. Open the curtains and clean the windows to let as much natural light in. Also, paint the walls  a light, neutral color to make the room look bigger.

Most buyers have a house inspected before they buy it. One of the biggest fears of sellers is for buyers to find out about some issues they aren’t aware of. This is why it is important to have the property inspected before putting it on the market.  

Getting a pre-listing inspection offers some benefits to sellers. It will help you determine what condition your house is in and avoid any unexpected surprises. This will ensure that the selling process goes smoothly and gets you the most money for your home.

Hire a good inspector

There are lots of inspectors out there. Since home inspectors in some states are not required to be licensed, it can be difficult to identify the good ones from the bad ones. Anyone can easily pose as a home inspector, especially in states where regulations are not stringent.

If you have family or friends who recently bought or sold a house, feel free to ask for recommendations. Your real estate agent may also know a good inspector. But before you hire one, make sure that you do some research to protect yourself from hiring an unqualified home inspector. Go online and read reviews from past clients. It is also a good idea to interview the inspector, ask a few questions and see a sample of a home inspection report.

Prepare the house for inspection

The primary purpose of a home inspection is to examine the condition of the house. In order to do their job properly, inspectors will need access to different parts of your home. They need access to the attic, basement, garage, crawlspace, and other areas. Get rid of clutter and remove anything that blocks access. Prepare each area for inspection and unlock all doors before the inspector arrives.

Attend the home inspection

Attending the home inspection isn’t mandatory. But whenever possible, we strongly recommend that you be present during the inspection.

By attending the inspection, you’ll be able to identify the issues you have never noticed and determine which ones need immediate repair. This way, you can make certain repairs prior to selling.

Read the report

A home inspection report is basically a huge list of everything that is wrong with your house. Make sure that you read the report carefully and thoroughly to help you understand the condition of your home. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to pay attention on major issues as well as those that can pose a threat on the health of potential homeowners. You want to make sure that your house is in pristine condition before putting it on the market.

Most people grew up in a Denver home with a basement that is dark, dank, and unfinished. Most Denver homeowners have toyed with the idea of finishing their basement at some point, but didn’t push through with it.

A finished basement can be a great addition to any Denver Colorado home. Not only will it increase the value of your Coloraod home, you can also enjoy the extra living space. There are some things you need to know before get started on this project. Here are some of them.

You may need a permit
Most states will require you to acquire a permit before you get started on the renovation, so we suggest that you check with your town or municipality first before you get started with this project. If you fail to acquire the needed permit, you are likely to face some fines, delay in construction or legal action.

Be on the lookout for moisture problems
Basements are notorious for having moisture problems. Since most homeowners don’t spend much time in the basement, many of them aren’t even aware of the problem. To prevent water damage in the future, make sure that the problem is identified and rectified before renovations take place. Sometimes, moisture problems occur even if there is no sign of leak or standing water.

Set aside an extra 10-15%
Your contractor may have given you an estimate, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the final cost. During the remodeling process, you may come across some problems such as termites, wood decaying or faulty wiring that may cause you to blow your budget. The last thing you want is to run out of money halfway through the project. Make sure that you set aside an extra 10-15% of your budget for any unforeseen issues that may crop up.

Figure out the layout
An unfinished basement is like a blank canvas. You have the freedom to decide how you’re going to use the space. You may create a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small kitchen if you intend to use it as a rental apartment. You can also opt for an open space if you want to use it as a leisure or entertainment room. Keep in mind, though, that the water heater and the furnace cannot be moved, so you need to work around these areas.

Appliances are a necessity in every Denver Colorado household. They help us in washing, cooking, and keeping us comfortable inside our home. That said, you want to make sure that you invest in reliable, durable, and affordable appliances.

Here are 4 things you need to keep in mind when shopping for new appliances for your Denver Colorado home.

A house is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Considering the amount of money that goes into that property, some buyers choose to skip the home inspection in the hopes of saving money. Sure, you may have to shell out a few hundred dollars for a home inspection, but it gives you the peace of mind of knowing “what lies beneath”.

The purpose of a home inspection is to help potential buyers understand the condition of the property they are about to acquire. If you are a first-time homebuyer, the home inspection process may be unfamiliar to you. What should you expect during a home inspection? Read on and we’ll tell you more about it.

There are lots of things that need to be done before putting your house on the market. Deep cleaning, staging, mortgage application, and the list goes on. Sometimes, sellers are too focused on beautifying their home that they fail to pay attention to the exterior.

Your house may look lovely and well-staged. You are not ready to put a for sale sign on the lawn, but is did you even stop to consider how your landscape looks?

Buying a house can be an exciting time for potential buyers. They would attend open houses and look at dozens and dozens of properties during the weekend in the hopes of finding their dream home.

Features such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, and up-to-date kitchen appliances are just some of the features buyers want in a home. In order to make the most of your investment, you should start looking beyond the physical appearance of the property. You don’t just want a lovely house, you want a house that is in tip-top shape and will last for a very long time. This is where home inspection comes in handy.