Home Inspectors Near Me

Okay, so you put your house on the market, found a buyer, and settled on a price. Almost everything has gone smoothly with the sale of your property, but you can’t relax just yet because there’s still the matter of the home inspection to resolve. A house inspection is performed by the buyer after the purchase agreement has been signed but before the closing date. Most purchasers would agree to have the transaction contingent on the results of a home inspection, giving them an escape if the inspector discovers something they don’t like and the seller refuses to fix it or reduce the price. As a seller, you’ll want the home inspection to go off without a hitch and reveal no big problems.

First things first: what exactly does a house inspector do? Top to bottom, the property is inspected, with special attention paid to the following: the roof, walls, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and heating and air conditioning systems. During the inspection, the inspector will look for leaks, mold, mildew, and other symptoms of water damage, as well as test the functionality of any devices that have been installed, such as the garbage disposal and the carbon monoxide detectors. During a house inspection, it’s normal for the seller to have some anxiety. You don’t want your buyer’s repair contingency to cause the sale to fall through, and you don’t want to be responsible for the expense and hassle of making the necessary repairs. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get your home ready for inspection.

1. Open Access – The house inspector needs unhindered access to the entire property. Potential purchasers will be wary of a property if inspectors are unable to access all parts of it. Basements, attics, furnace rooms, and behind sinks are just some of the places the inspector may need to visit. Make sure they are clear of any obstructions.
2. Have a Clear perimeter- Your home’s exterior, including the siding, moldings, and caulking around windows and doors, will be inspected as thoroughly as it’s inside. To provide potential buyers with a clear view of your home, you should keep the spaces around it free of plants, trash cans, and other storage units.
3. Roof – When was the last time you gave your home’s roof a thorough inspection? Time has passed considerably for most vendors. While preparing for a house inspection, don’t forget about the roof. Remove any accumulated moss and other debris from the gutters, replace any missing or broken tiles, and ensure that the downspouts are in the correct location by using a ladder. You should have any roof repairs done before the home inspection in case you notice the damage.
4. Keep Home Clean – If you’ve been preparing your home for sale, you’re undoubtedly good at maintaining a neat and orderly environment. Maintain the same level of cleanliness once an offer has been accepted, as the house inspector will be visiting soon. Although tidiness will not be a factor in the actual inspection, an untidy home may raise suspicions that other parts of the property aren’t being maintained either.
5. Check Bulbs – In the eyes of a home inspector, a burned-out light bulb can mean one of two things: either the bulb is broken or the wiring in the fixture is bad. Either the inspector will waste time trying to figure out whether or not a fixture is broken, or they will make a note of the possibility of a problem without really investigating it. Make sure all of your bulbs are functional to avoid these two potential outcomes.
6. Check Plumbing – Does it take a while for the toilet to stop running when you flush it? It’s a typical issue that can become invisible after a while, but you definitely don’t want your house inspector to see it. Repairing a toilet that constantly runs is a simple and cheap fix that can be handled by the homeowner with a trip to the hardware store, so make sure it is fixed before the inspection.
7. Fresh Furnace Return Filter – It’s crucial to your home’s heating system and air quality that you change the furnace filter regularly. Instead of worrying the inspector that you haven’t been maintaining your heating and air system, clean or replace the present filter to show that you do.
8. Pilot Lights – Obviously, you keep the pilot light burning in your water heater at all times (and would notice if it wasn’t), but have you ever thought about the gas fireplace? It is crucial to make sure the pilot light is on and that the fireplace is operational, as many homeowners do not use their fireplace during the hot months. The time has come to relight the pilot flame in your fireplace if you have already extinguished it.
9. Label Fuse Box – A complex fuse box is frustrating for homeowners and home inspectors alike. You should double-examine the labels on the box to make sure they are correct and replace any that are unclear or illegible.
10. Check Doors – If you want to be sure that all the doors in your home are operational, you should do a walk-through. All doors, both inside and out, should close and latch securely into their frames, and all locks, especially those leading outdoors, should operate as they should. Be cautious to inspect all doors, even ones you don’t use often, as extreme temperatures can deform ordinarily functional doors and cause difficulties.

You should have completed all necessary preparations for the house inspection before the scheduled day. Now, all that remains is to ensure a seamless process. To do so, make sure the power stays on, the gates and electrical boxes are unlocked, and the house is in its normal temperature and humidity setting. Most importantly, get everything ready two hours before the inspector is scheduled to arrive (they tend to be early) and make arrangements for you and your family to leave the home. Ideally, you would bring your pets with you, but if that isn’t possible, make sure they are securely crated or otherwise contained.

Calm down and take a deep breath now. The vast majority of purchasers are not looking for a flawless product, but rather peace of mind that they will not be saddled with any significant obligations. The house inspector may find a few little problems, but if there’s anything major to find, you’ll likely have noticed it on your own. Get in touch with Analytical Home Inspection right now if you’re looking to book an inspection in Oregon.