Photo by Curtis Adams:
Before you start putting your house on the market, you might want to get it inspected. A professional must visit your home and inspect it to verify its value. It is also possible that an inspection may increase the value of your home.
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is performed by a professional real estate inspector, who will visit the house to verify that all its systems work and that it is in good condition. It includes all rooms, the foundation, and the house’s structure. A home inspection aims to find potential issues with the house and inform you about what needs to be fixed or replaced before you sell your property.
The inspection will focus on three main areas:
1. The Structure of the House
The inspection will check the house’s foundation, which includes the walls and porch, to see if they are structurally sound. The inspector will check to see if there are leaks or cracks in the walls or windows and see that these elements are not damaged by water. Also, the inspector may check that no nails are sticking out of walls or termites infiltrated your walls. It is also necessary that the stairs should be sturdy enough to support a person’s weight with tight joints.
2. The Mechanical Systems of the House
The inspection will pay attention to the HVAC for the ventilation, water and drainage, plumbing, and electric systems. The structure of these systems will be inspected, looking for any cracks or leaks that could lead to waterflood or an electrical fire.
3. The Interior of the House and Its Furniture
The interior of your home will be inspected to verify that it is in good condition and that you can sell it as is. You will want to ensure that the kitchen is free of cracks or leaks and that the floors are tight and level. The inspector will check for loose outlets, crumbling walls, and unlevel floors.
The inspector will also verify that the furniture is in good condition. It will help you determine if you should keep some pieces of furniture when selling your house. If there are holes or scratches in doors or walls, they might signify that some things need to be replaced before selling.
4. Exterior and Roofing
If an inspector visits your house, they will check the condition of your exterior. To be specific, a certified roof inspector will examine your roof to verify its condition. If it is an old roof, they may recommend a replacement or repairs to get it in the best shape before selling.
Why Inspections Lead To Higher Home Value
An inspection will allow you to fix potential issues and improve the appeal of your home. For instance, after an assessment is completed, you get the chance to conduct repairs where necessary. You might begin with fixing any identified interior areas like:
a) Inside Walls
If your inside walls are cracked or have visible damage, you will have the chance to repaint or fix the damage.
An inspector may also detect hidden water or electrical problems in your walls, which might need replacement. It is best to fix these problems before putting your property on the market.
b) Doors
You can consider fixing some cracks in your doors and repainting older doors if you want to increase their value. You will also want to replace old locks if they are broken or damaged, especially if they are hard to use.
c) Windows
Windows are another consideration. An inspector will check if your windows are in good condition, if you need to upgrade the existing system, and that the windows do not have any issues such as:
- Problems with wiring
- Problems with sills
- Problems at the base of windows. If a window is old, it might be time for a replacement. New windows might increase the appeal of your house and help to increase the value.
d) Flooring
You will also want to look at the flooring of your house and see if it is in good condition. Any visible problems might need repair. For instance, you may need to replace tiles with cracks or do some carpet repair. A damaged wood floor might also signify pests or termites, and you will have to replace it with a wooden floor of better quality.
The moment you complete these repairs, there will be a high chance that the value of your home will increase. You can now confidently put it on the market and seek potential customers.
