What to Expect From a Home Inspection as a Seller

Key Takeaways:

• While buyers typically pay for a home inspection before closing, sellers can hire their own inspector before listing the house.
• Having your own inspection before listing helps you, as the seller, spot potential issues that may come up in the buyer’s inspection. Those issues may lead the buyer to offer less money, ask for expensive repairs, or walk away from the deal.
• A well-prepared house makes the inspection process more efficient and effective.

Typically, a home inspection is done just before closing, when the buyer is ready to pay, and you’re done owning your home. Buyers typically pay for the full home inspection, since they’re the ones who would have to make repairs once they own the home.

However, there may be times when you, as the seller, might request a full home inspection before putting your home on the market. 

This article explains what to expect as the seller and how to prepare your home.

What to Expect From a Home Inspection as a Seller

Home inspectors will typically look at the following areas of your home:

• The electrical system
• The plumbing system
• Grading and drainage around the property
• The health and maintenance of the roof
• The general structure of the house
• HVAC systems

As the seller, you may not be aware of major issues with your home. If you wait until the buyer’s inspection reveals major issues, the buyer may lower their offer, request that you make repairs, or completely back out of the sale. And while you’re under no obligation to comply with the buyer’s request, this may result in them walking away from the deal. Preparing your home for sale and handling significant problems yourself will reduce the chance that you’ll receive a complaint from the buyer’s inspection.

Common Issues Flagged in the Home Inspection Report

Keep in mind that inspectors aren’t there to fix problems. The report they give you is meant to be completely objective so that you can decide what’s worth repairing and what isn’t.

Some of the most common issues found in Massachusetts homes include:

• Poor grading and drainage that causes water penetration into the basement
• Aging or damaged roof shingles, or improper flashing around chimneys that lead to a leaky roof
• Outdated and unsafe electrical systems
• Insufficient electrical service
• Outdated or broken plumbing materials
• Poor water pressure
• Cracks in the house’s foundation
• Signs of water penetration in the foundation
• Frame rotting

You may not know how old your roof, pipes, or electrical system are, so a home inspection report will help you find out exactly where the problems are.

Prepare Your Home Before Selling: A Checklist

Before you make an appointment with a professional home inspector, follow this checklist to prepare your home. This will make the process go much faster and help eliminate surprises.

Declutter

The inspector will require access to areas such as:

• The attic
• Basement
• Circuit breaker or other electrical panel
• Water heater
• Furnace
• The garage or other storage areas
• Under sinks

While you won’t “fail” your report if the inspector can’t easily access these areas, decluttering helps them do their job more efficiently.

Clean

While a full home inspection isn’t the same as a “white glove” cleanliness inspection, a freshly cleaned home helps the inspector check appliances and notice signs of leaks.

Test

Go around your house to make sure the following work as expected:

• Run the dishwasher and other major appliances
• Open and close your windows; make sure they fully close; check that the locks work
• Open and close doors; make sure they fully close; check that the locks work
• Clean or replace your HVAC filters
• Flush all toilets and run all sinks
• Remove any visible rust on pipes or appliances
• Check your gutters to make sure they’re clear and not rotting or corroding
• Make sure every light switch and outlet works
• Test your thermostat
• Trim your landscaping and mow the lawn
• Replace burnt-out lightbulbs
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Call an exterminator if you find signs of pests

These things will bring to light potential issues before an inspector finds them.

Gather

Finally, before the inspector arrives, gather all documentation you have about your house’s condition, repairs, or construction work you’ve had done. Have papers such as warranties, receipts, or permits ready for the inspector.

Remember, home inspections aren’t pass/fail. However, you can do your part to minimize the time and energy required to complete an inspection and make your home as ready to sell as possible.

FAQ: What to Expect From a Home Inspection as a Seller

Q: Do I have to have a full home inspection as the seller?

A: No. Sellers are not required by law to have a full home inspection before putting their house on the market. However, it’s a good idea so that you’re less likely to have to make concessions to the buyer.

Q: How much do full home inspections cost?

A: In Massachusetts, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $582 to $790 for a home inspection. While that may sound high, compare that to the thousands of dollars or more you may lose to a buyer’s repair requests or a lower purchase offer – or to the entire deal falling through.

Q: Are buyers legally obligated to order a home inspection?

A: No. However, it’s more common than not for buyers to order a home inspection before they finalize the purchase of a house. 

Q: Can I ask the buyer not to order a home inspection if I’ve already completed one?

A: No. Massachusetts law 760 CMR 74.00 “prohibits sellers and their agents from requiring or encouraging buyers to waive their right to a home inspection as a condition for having their offer accepted — except in limited, clearly defined circumstances.”

Award-Winning Home Inspection Services in New England

For over 20 years, Tiger Home Inspection has provided trusted, professional home inspections to buyers and sellers throughout Eastern Massachusetts, the Greater Worcester area, the Cape and the Islands, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire. 

Contact us at 1-800-628-4437 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 7 days a week with all your home inspection questions and to learn more about our range of services. Trust the Eye of the Tiger!