Home inspection checklist for sellers + 9 tips to pass your inspection

Research shows that home inspections save buyers an average of $14,000. That’s because inspections sometimes reveal major issues with the home that the seller hasn’t disclosed or didn’t know about. This may allow a buyer to lower their offer, force the seller to make repairs, or completely back out of the sale.

That’s why it’s important that sellers prepare thoroughly before an inspection. To help you out, we made a home inspection checklist for sellers that outlines how to best prepare for a home inspection and common pitfalls to avoid in the process.

Home inspection checklist

Download the checklist here or by clicking the checklist above.

Follow each step on the checklist above to ensure you’ve properly prepared for inspection. As a buyer, use it to better understand the results of your inspection report.

How to pass a home inspection

While you don’t exactly “pass” or “fail” a home inspection, it can feel like failing if an inspector recommends you make repairs worth thousands of dollars. Follow the tips below to help smooth the process and to diagnose and fix problems before they interfere with your sale.

1. Examine your exterior

Issues with the home’s exterior are easy to miss. Problems like clogged gutters and damaged roof shingles aren’t easily visible, which is why it’s important to check on them before an inspection.

Here’s a list of things outside your home you should check beforehand:

• Chimney: Look out for cracked joints, damaged bricks, and ensure the chimney cap is in good shape.
• Roof: Check for damaged and missing shingles. 
• Gutters: Clean any moss and debris, and check for rust, bending, and proper downspout position.
• Siding: Look for v signs of rot, decay, or cracking.
• Foundation: Check for significant cracks.
• Frames: Inspect window and door frames for signs of rot, decay, or cracks.
• Stucco: Ensure there are no visible cracks.

The inspector will look at the siding, trims, caulking around windows and doors, and more. Clear the area around your home of plant growth, trash cans, and anything else that might impede access.

While not necessary, it’s also good to paint the exterior of your home to help create a good first impression on your inspector.

2. Check your electrical system

Electrical issues can be a dealbreaker for homebuyers since faulty wiring can cost a lot to fix and can become hazardous if left untreated. In fact, almost 50,000 fires were caused by electrical malfunctions annually from 2015 to 2019.¹

Some warning signs that could indicate larger wiring problems include:

• Hot outlets: Outlets should never be uncomfortably hot, especially if nothing is plugged into it. If this is something you notice, it’s a good idea to consult an electrician. 
• Flickering or dim lights: Lights don’t require much electricity, so dimming and flickering could indicate a larger issue.
• Sparks: If sparks come from an outlet or fuse box, immediately call an electrician to avoid potential safety issues. 
• Buzzing: Electric humming or buzzing sounds from outlets are often caused by frayed wires or loose prongs.

Once you deal with any of the above problems, there’s a few more things you can do to make your inspection go smoothly:

• Replace lightbulbs: Either the bulb is out or there’s something wrong with the wiring. Inspectors won’t know, so they’ll either waste time examining a fixture or they’ll note a possible defect.
• Label your fuse box: Double-check that labels are correct and that switches function correctly. Add or replace any missing or damaged labels.
• Cover exposed lightbulbs: Older homes might feature exposed lightbulbs, which are another potential fire hazard.

While it can be time consuming to check for wiring issues, it can save you from headaches and potentially lost sales if you catch problems early on.

3. Check your bathroom

You should check the following parts of your bathroom before your home inspector does:

• Adequate water flow: High or low water pressure can indicate plumbing issues that can lead to bursting pipes or other hazardous situations. 
• Working drains: Make sure your shower, tub, and sinks drain properly.
• Metal sinks: Check for signs of rust.
• Toilets: If your toilet fills slowly after a flush, your inspector will note it as a defect. 
• Exhaust fan: A working exhaust fan is necessary to remove excess moisture from air, preventing bacteria and mold growth.

It’s also good to clean any noticeable stains from your sinks, walls, and floors to create a better impression on your inspector. 

4. Look over your kitchen

A home inspector will test all of the appliances in your kitchen to make sure they are in good working order. To avoid problems, you should check:

• Dishwasher: Make sure your dishwasher isn’t leaking, its door springs work, and it drains fully.
• Sink: Your sink’s pipes should be leak-free, waterflow should be adequate, and the area beneath your sink should be in good condition with no signs of rot or decay.
• GFCIs: Outlets within six feet of your sink are required by the NEC to have GFCI protection.²
• Refrigerator: Check for signs of leaks or water damage under your fridge.

If any of your appliances are not functioning properly, consider having them repaired or replaced before the inspection.

5. Check doors, windows, and cabinets

Test anything that you open and close. Make sure knobs are securely in place and that locks function properly.

Other things you should look for:

• Wood frames: Make sure wood frames are secure and free of rot and decay.
• Screens and windows: Any damaged screens, cracked windows, or broken double-paned glass should be fixed before your inspection.
• Door and window joints: Make sure door and window joints are caulked properly.

To go the extra mile, consider lubricating doors and windows to make them easy to open come time for inspection.

6. Check for signs of water damage

An inspector will look for signs of leaks or water damage everywhere. Check under sinks, around faucets, around the base of toilets and tubs, and under any appliances that use water, like dishwashers or refrigerators. Examine your walls, ceilings, and floors and look for signs of warping, sagging, or buckling. Don’t forget to do the same outside.

7. Observe your HVAC system

‍An old or non-functioning HVAC system will seriously hurt your home inspection. Here’s what you should check for:

• Rust: Make sure no rust has formed around your HVAC unit.
• Odors: Funny smells coming from your HVAC could indicate a larger problem that needs repair.
• Air filters: Make sure to replace your air filters before it’s time for inspection.
• Thermostat: Test your thermostat to ensure it’s heating and cooling efficiently.

If your HVAC needs replacing, it could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. That said, it’s better to replace it earlier rather than have a home inspector flag it, causing a buyer to bring down their offer.

8. Declutter for easy access

If inspectors can’t get to an area, they can’t inspect it, resulting in a blank field on their report and a potential red flag to buyers. To avoid this, make sure the following areas are accessible:

• Attics
• Basements
• Closets
• Furnace rooms
• Under the sink
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

As a bonus, decluttering your home helps put your inspector in a good mood since it makes it easy for them to move around and do their job.

9. Make final preparations

On the inspection day, try to make everything as easy as possible for your inspector. Best practices to follow:

• Leave your home: Try to ensure your home is empty of any people or pets.
• Prepare paperwork: Leave important home documents like warranties and receipts for repairs behind in an easy-to-locate place for your inspector.
• Clear your appliances: Remove laundry from washers and dryers, and dishes from the sink and dishwasher.
• Prepare keys: Leave keys for electrical boxes and gates in an obvious place for your inspector. 

Now all you need to do is wait to see the results of your home inspection. 

Common things that fail a home inspection

Just as there are good things to do to have a smoother home inspection, there are myriad ways to “fail” an inspection. It’s as important to note the most common home inspection missteps as it is the best practices.

1. Ground sloping or draining toward the house

A good lawn should have at least a 3% slope away from the home, draining water to avoid damage. If you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to hire a landscaper to investigate the natural drainage.

2. Foundation problems

A cracked foundation may lead to roofing issues, doors and windows shifting, leaks, and worse. Foundations often crack due to:

• Poor drainage
• Setting soil
• Intrusive tree roots
• Inadequate steel reinforcement
• Earthquakes

It’s best to address small foundation problems before a home inspector arrives.

3. Leaks and plumbing issues

Leaks and plumbing issues can be a killer on home inspections because they lead to other big problems like mold, rot, and could even invite a wood destroying organism (WDO) infestation.

If there are any obvious issues with your home, such as a leaky roof or broken windows, be sure to fix them before the inspection.

4. Electrical problems

You want to avoid any fraying insulation, DIY wiring, or mismatched wires. If you have concerns, hire an electrician to audit and fix your home’s wiring.

5. Safety and security features

A home must have basic security like working locks on windows and doors, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Try to ensure that locks — especially ones leading to outside — and detectors work correctly. 

6. Roof problems

A leaky roof is a big problem for a home inspector. If the roof leaks, the home is vulnerable to several problems. Many buyers will walk away from a home with roof issues because they’re so costly to repair.

7. Hazardous materials

Home inspectors will look for asbestos, radon, lead paint, and other hazardous materials that are common in older homes. If an inspector has concerns, they may order a special radon inspection or lead paint inspection, both of which will require additional costs. 

If you find your home has a lot of issues, you need to decide whether you want to invest in repairs or sell your home as-is. You may find that some of your repairs are mandatory after an inspection.

Get the most out of your home sale 

The home inspection is the last hurdle you have to overcome before you officially sell your home. Diagnosing and solving issues beforehand can help you save money and quicken the home selling process. 

If you’re still waiting on a prospective buyer, list with Orchard to sell your home quickly for top dollar.

Sources:

1. "Home Fires Caused by Electrical Failure or Malfunction." Campbell, Richard. Accessed 1 March 2023 from https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Electrical/osHomeFiresCausedbyElectricalFailureMalfunction.pdf
2. "National Electric Code." Accessed 1 March 2023 from https://www.esfi.org/program/national-electrical-code/