5 Ways Sellers Can Prepare for a Home Inspection

David R. Leopold, owner of Pillar to Post Home Inspection in Fairfield County, Conn., says home sellers and their real estate professionals have an important role in preparing for a home inspection to help ensure it goes smoothly. Leopold offers up some of the following tips in a recent article in RISMedia, including:

1. Don’t hide what isn’t working: If an appliance isn’t working, leave a note that indicates what isn’t working and how you’re getting it fixed. Don’t try to conceal defects because it can make the inspector start to view you as dishonest and wonder what else you’re hiding.

2. Make things accessible: Ensure the location of the attic and crawlspace are identified and easy to access. Don’t make a home inspector move your belongings in order to gain access.

3. Check the lightbulbs: If a lightbulb isn’t working, the inspector will need to determine if the fixture is inoperable. Save them time by making sure all the lightbulbs in the home operate, including those in the crawlspace, attic, and furnace rooms.

4. Note septic systems: If you have a septic system in the yard, be sure to leave a sketch that includes the location of it. It’ll avoid home inspectors, buyers, and real estate professionals having to conduct prolonged searches for it, Leopold says.

5. Keep appliances clear: Don’t leave dirty laundry in the washing machine or dryer because the inspector will need to test the appliances, and he doesn’t want to have to pull out dirty clothes in front of everybody, Leopold says. “Also, make sure your oven and stovetop are clear and clean, so we can easily test them without setting off the smoke alarm,” he adds.

Source: “Ask the Experts: What Should Home Sellers Do to Prepare for a Home Inspection?” RISMedia (April 16, 2013)

Staging to Sell Your Evansville Home - A Listing Agent's Contribution

While most sales people don’t hold a degree in psychology that science winds up playing a major role in the sales process. Most highly experienced listing agents not only understand this --they use it to Evansville sellers’ advantage.



According to a 2010 study by Avid Ratings published in the Los Angeles Times, typical home buyers have a simple hierarchy of preferences: they want it all. Even when pressed to name what they are willing to do without, the typical homebuyer’s long list of “must haves” remains pretty much untouched.



What they are not willing to compromise on are home offices, walking paths, children’s playgrounds and large kitchens. Large rooms, in fact, sell homes.



Even if your house is full of small rooms, your listing agent can help them appear larger by hiring a home“stager”. Stagers are professional dream makers. Savvy about what today’s homebuyer is looking for, stagers use their designer skills to transform homes from “Can you show us the next house on the list?” to “Stop! I want this house!”



Homebuyers also want a home that’s in turnkey condition. In fact, a study performed by the Maritz marketing research firm found that 63% of the homebuyers polled said they are willing to pay more for a home they perceive to be “move-in ready”. And it’s a properly staged home that is more likely to help buyers get that “move right in”feeling.



Listing agents who provide home staging for their clients understand that a staged home sells faster and for a higher sales price. Some studies show that spending just $550 on home staging nets the seller almost $2,000 more at the close of escrow.



Call me if you are interested to find out more about the home staging service we provide. You can reach me by phone at 812-499-9234 or email: Rolando@RolandoTrentini.com