A home inspection is an essential part of the home buying and selling process. This service costs an average of $329, depending on the home’s size.

It’s in the seller’s best interest to ensure a successful inspection. Failing an inspection can cause buyers to back out of the sale or renegotiate to lower the selling price.

Certain techniques make it easier to help you prepare for the inspection process. Read on to learn the best secrets for how to pass a home inspection with flying colors.

Deep Clean Your Home and Get Rid of Clutter 

A clean and well-organized home makes it easier and more efficient for the inspector to do their job. De-cluttering your home also creates an uninterrupted flow of traffic throughout the home.

Before scheduling any selling home inspection services, do a full deep clean. Pay special attention to the area under sink cabinets in the bathrooms and kitchen.

The inspector will check all the home appliances to ensure they work. So, you want to clean out all your appliances as well.

Remove clothing from the washer and dryer and baking pans from the oven. Dishes should also be removed from the dishwasher.

Inspect Your Home’s Current Condition 

The average home will sit on the market for about 65 to 93 days. This could result in changes to the home’s condition during this time. This is often the case when extreme weather occurs.

This means it’s important to get a good idea of the current state of your home before the inspection. Make a home inspection checklist to look for any maintenance items. It’s best to try and have any needed repair items fixed beforehand.

Key places to inspect include your roof and attic. Check for any leaks in the ceiling or damage to your chimney flashing. Look for any signs of cracked or missing shingles.

Insulation is another item your inspector will take note of. Poor insulation can result in high heating costs. Check to make sure your attic is well insulated as this is an easier fix.

Ensure the home’s septic and drainage systems have no issues. Gutters are an easy fix for helping to keep water away from the foundation. Leaky pipes could be another culprit that could cause a failed inspection.

Examine the home’s exterior to make sure there is no damage to the siding. Check your home’s foundation for any cracks. Recaulking or weatherstripping can prevent drafts from coming into the home as well.

Take a look around your property to see if you need to fix a broken or loose fence. Repainting a wooden door or trim that is chipping is another maintenance item. You should also replace any broken or cracked glass in window frames.

You also want to make sure all your electricity, plumbing, HVAC, and other features are up to code. A simple heating inspection can make all the difference in how to pass a home inspection. The home should have working fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Brighten up Your Home

A home inspector brings all their own tools, including a flashlight. Yet, you should make sure all light fixtures and bulbs are working properly.

Do this for interior and exterior lights, including landscaping and garage lighting. This provides the inspector with plenty of light to work with while examining your home. It also shows that there are no issues with the home’s wiring.

Allow Easy Access Throughout Your Home 

A home inspection goes smoother when the professional has easy access to all areas of your home. Help them by leaving out a ladder to let them into your attic.

Make sure nothing is blocking off basement, attic, or crawlspace access. Unlock all doors so the inspector can get into every room in the home. This also includes other structures on your property, like sheds and garages.

Be sure to provide security code access in advance and unlock any property gates. You’ll also want to disable your alarm system.

Be Upfront and Honest With All Parties

Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to selling your home. It’s smart to be upfront with the realtor, interested buyers, and home inspector.

Be sure to report on the condition of your home to the best of your knowledge. Any known issues with the home should be disclosed from the beginning.

This includes any leaks or a faulty HVAC system. The inspector should also be made aware of any previous water damage. This could show that there is mold present in the home.

Home inspection services often turn up any hidden issues within the home. Trying to hide damage or problems will only end up angering the buyers. This will make them more likely to back out of their offer, rather than working with you to come up with a solution.

Another tip is to give proper documentation over to the inspector. This includes paperwork relating to any recent home renovations or repairs. Past insurance claims should be included as well.

It also helps to have copies of your past utility bills on hand. These come in handy if they have concerns about your boiler, furnace, or air conditioner.

How to Pass a Home Inspection the Right Way

These tips will help you learn how to pass a home inspection the easiest way possible. It will also make for a smoother and simpler closing process for all parties.

Note that it’s best for the sellers to not be available during the time of inspection. This means removing your kids and any pets from the home for a few hours.

Looking for more epic ideas to help sell your home? Check out the home improvement section of our blog for all the latest tips.