04/25/2025
Are you planning to sell your home? Here are some tips to get it ready before you list it. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
- Preparing your home for an inspection -
A home inspection takes approximately 3 hours to perform, and there are several things that you can do to help speed up the process. Following these tips may also help reduce the number of issues noted in the report, making the selling process smoother.
• The inspector needs clear access throughout the property. If they can’t reach an area, it will be marked as “Not Accessible,” and the buyer can request to have this area re-inspected after the items are cleared out of the way. This not only slows down the selling process, but inspectors typically charge an additional fee for returning to the home. Pay particular attention to any clutter that blocks access to attic hatches, electrical panels, heating and cooling equipment, and plumbing under the sinks. Sometimes attic hatches are inside bedroom closets, and pieces of insulation can fall out when the cover is opened. You may wish to remove any items from these closet(s) if you are concerned that they will get dirty.
• A representative number of windows will be tested during the inspection. Opening the blinds and window treatments before the inspection will make this task easier for the inspector and make the home look brighter and more welcoming for the buyers.
• A representative number of light fixtures and outlets will be tested during the inspection. Burnt-out bulbs should be replaced before the inspection, or these light fixtures will be marked on the report as “Not Functioning.” Don’t forget to check the exterior light fixtures as well. Damaged or missing cover plates should also be replaced, or they will be noted as a “Safety Hazard.” This includes installing covers on electrical junction boxes if any are missing.
• The inspector can only test items that respond to normal controls. Please ensure all built-in appliances, including fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators, exterior hose bibs, cooling systems, etc., are in working order and ready for testing. The inspector will not turn on breakers, gas valves, water supply valves, or light pilot lights to prevent the possibility of damaging anything in your home. Any device that is turned off will be marked as “Unable to Test,” and the buyer could request a re-inspection after the item(s) are restored to working order.
• Keys or remotes should be left behind for detached garages, sheds, outbuildings, gates, or any other areas that you usually keep secure so they can be accessed during the inspection.
• Nebraska requires smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in the home A carbon monoxide detector is required on every habitable level of the home, and smoke detectors are required on every level of the house and inside each sleeping area.
• Ideally, you should go through your home, room by room, to ensure everything is in working order before putting it on the market. We recommend testing windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, lights, receptacles, appliances, etc. Additionally, consider having the HVAC system cleaned and checked by a professional. This gives you an opportunity to repair or disclose any issues found before listing. Having a home inspector perform a pre-listing inspection can also be extremely beneficial.
