Third-party home inspections are essential to selling a home because they prove to buyers that your house is worth the cost.
And while all home sales don’t necessarily require inspections, it helps ease potential buyers’ concerns. You may also have a chance to sell your house for more if the inspection reveals no significant issues.
If you want to avoid surprises on your upcoming home inspection, this guide can help you understand the process and includes expert advice for making inspections smoother for all parties involved.
✅ Quick Home Inspection Prep Checklist
- Clean and declutter every room
- Clear access to attic, basement, fuse box, HVAC, etc.
- Check for leaks or water stains
- Replace burned-out bulbs and air filters
- Collect repair receipts and manuals
- Secure pets and vacate the home for the inspection
Top home inspection tips for sellers
Prepping your home for an inspection may seem intimidating, but you can offset the nerves by taking proactive measures.
These simple tips can make the home inspection a positive experience.
1. Fix what’s broken before the inspection
One of the most vital things you can do before a home inspection is fix any issues you know about before the inspection, especially if it’s something you can DIY.
Yoni Asulin, owner of ASL Remodeling in San Jose, CA, says that,
“The number one thing sellers should do before a home inspection is fix the small, obvious items — leaky faucets, loose outlets, missing GFCIs. These send a message that the home is maintained, and that matters.”
And if there are any significant issues you are aware of but can’t fix, don’t try to hide them.
2. Clean thoroughly — including exterior spaces
Dirty spaces, cluttered areas, and signs of previously fixed issues make it challenging for home inspectors to assess potential problems accurately.
“Look for obvious stuff, like dirty walls and baseboards,” says Ron Myers, owner of Ron Buys Florida Homes. “[And] have the carpets and wood floors cleaned to give each room a fresh look. A little effort can go a long way.”
Pressure washing the outside of your home can also highlight the condition of your home’s exterior. A clean exterior shows that your home is kept up and ready to sell.
3. Ensure full access to every area
Before a home inspection, you should ensure the inspector has access to every part of the home. Your home may lose inspection points if the inspector can’t access areas like:
- Crawl spaces and basements
- Attics or garage rafters
- Under decks or porches
- Roofs and chimneys
- Behind appliances or water heaters
If you need a ladder to get into your attic or often have something blocking the entry to your crawl space, it’s crucial to have the areas clear and ready on the inspection day.
4. Replace air filters and check HVAC performance
The HVAC system is one of your home’s most important and most expensive systems. And an HVAC system that doesn’t cool (or heat) properly is a significant red flag.
Performing basic maintenance before your inspection can help, like air filter changes or calling an HVAC company for a tune-up.
If you hire an HVAC technician to perform a tune-up, ask for an itemized receipt or assessment of your system. This assessment will document your HVAC unit’s state of health and whether it has any known issues.
5. Test all lights, outlets, and appliances
Faulty light bulbs or loose outlets could be warning signs of further electrical issues. Taking the time to change out things as minor as a light bulb could affect the final report from your inspector.
And if you’re uncomfortable DIYing any electrical issues, please reach out to a licensed electrician.
Working with a professional will give you more than peace of mind that the job is done correctly. You will also have proof that you completed recent repairs while preparing the house for sale.
6. Check for water damage and mold
Water damage can be a deal-breaker on a home sale. Always check for potential plumbing leaks. If anything seems suspect, try to find the root cause.
It’s also important to refresh areas where past leaks may have been. Luka Milicevic, a realtor from Murfreesboro, TN, encourages homeowners to pay special attention to old leak stains when prepping for an inspection.
Home inspectors may raise concerns about leaks — even if there are no current issues — if they notice any signs of leaking plumbing at all.
7. Organize paperwork for repairs and warranties
Keeping track of repair receipts and warranties on contractors’ work or recent appliance purchases is a must if you’re considering selling.
Well-organized documentation of the repairs on your house proves what’s been done and whether the home is well-maintained.
Selling your home with big-ticket items like HVAC system replacements, kitchen appliances, or a washer/dryer set still under warranty can also be a significant bargaining chip.
8. Secure pets and vacate during the inspection
Home inspectors need things to be as peaceful as possible to do a thorough job.
While you may be curious about what they find, staying out of the house during inspection is essential to prevent distractions.
If you have pets, it’s best to tuck them away in a safe area during the inspection. Or it may be the perfect opportunity to take your pet out for a day on the town.
What can make you ‘fail’ a home inspection
While home inspections aren’t technically ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ situations, homes with significant issues may give potential buyers cold feet. But covering things up or hasty repairs could do more harm than good.
Covering up an issue could send signals that you have more to hide, which could hurt your negotiation power — or worse, cause the deal to fall through.
Here are some of the most common red flags an inspector may notice during the inspection:
🔺 Potential home inspection red flags
- Cracked foundation or poor grading
- Electrical issues like frayed wiring
- Leaky roof or plumbing
- Mold or mildew odors
- Old or failing HVAC
- Safety issues (missing smoke detectors, loose handrails)
If your home inspection reveals significant issues, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. Approaching the situation honestly can help things move forward, even if red flags arise.
“When issues do come up (and they will), your response sets the tone,” says Jordan Blake from Shoreline Public Adjusters. “Buyers don’t expect perfection — they expect honesty and effort.”
Should you get a pre-listing inspection?
Pre-listing inspections aren’t necessary, but they can be a smart move.
Paying for an inspection before listing your home will help you find and fix problems before buyers see them. And while it costs extra, it can help you control the narrative regarding negotiations.
When asked about the top thing a seller can do before an inspection, many of the pros we interviewed put “a walkthrough with a contractor” at the top of the list.
Who is the best candidate for a pre-listing inspection?
If you haven’t updated your home in a while or noticed some cosmetic issues recently, it’s best to get things checked out.
Your inspector can help you pinpoint red flags and identify significant issues before selling your home.
Final thoughts: Is your home ready for an inspection?
As a seller, you hold more power when you’re prepared. And prepping your home for pre-sale inspections is an outstanding way to have a solid foundation for negotiations.
Minor fixes and repairs before a repair aren’t necessarily about making your home look polished — inspectors want your home to look lived-in. Instead, it’s about showing that you have put in the effort to resolve significant issues that may turn buyers away.
If you want help prepping your home for sale, it’s best to turn to a trusted real estate agent.
Finding an agent through a service like Clever can help you educate yourself on what needs to be fixed (and what you can leave for negotiations), all at a lower-than-average commission.
FAQs about pre-home inspection prep
Do I need to fix everything before the inspection?
You don’t need to fix everything. But resolving significant issues before an inspection is important to have the most negotiation power.
It’s possible that you can factor repairs into the sale with buyer’s credits, but it will eat into your profits.
Will cleaning really help my inspection?
Yes. Cleaning your home makes it look well-maintained and can keep the inspector from being on alert from the minute they step on your property.
A clean house also makes it easier for inspectors to access hard-to-reach areas, including behind appliances or utility closets.
What if I can’t afford repairs before listing?
If you can’t afford repairs, it doesn’t mean your sale will fall through. Many buyers understand that owning a home may mean making improvements.
However, you might make less than you expected because of buyers negotiating for repair credits or a lower price.
Can buyers back out after a home inspection?
In most cases, buyers can walk away at any time before closing. But cancelling the deal too late in the process may come with a penalty.
Many selling agreements also come with built-in inspection contingencies that protect the buyer if they feel the repairs will be too extensive.
The post 7 Home Inspection Tips to Help You Sell Faster appeared first on Clever Real Estate.
