RISMEDIA, Thursday, September 19, 2013
Today’s expert Q & A is with David R. Leopold, owner of Pillar To Post Home Inspection located in Fairfield County, Conn.
Q: What can homeowners do to prevent delays, uncomfortable situations and return visits as they go through the process of preparing for an inspection?
A: While it’s important that homeowners don’t neglect the basics, there are numerous other small things that can’t be ignored.
For instance, how often do you see a house listing with a bathroom description touting a sumptuous master suite with walk-in closet and a fabulous oversized Jacuzzi tub? Pretty often, right?
During the inspection, we work our way up to these sumptuous surroundings and dutifully fill the large tub while everybody is looking on. This gives us an opportunity to accentuate the home’s positive features while we kill time waiting for the tub to fill. Anticipation builds to see this technological wonder. Then we turn the water on, and voilà, a tub full of nasty green mold circulates before our very eyes. It really ruins the moment.
After the thrill of ownership wears off, many of these high end tubs fall into disuse. However, if it’s important enough to highlight the tub on a listing sheet, it’s important enough to clean it before the home inspection.
It’s also important to make sure remote controls needed to operate ceiling fans, lights, TVs, window treatments, overhead garage doors, pool covers, gas fireplaces, etc., are left in plain sight. Be sure the batteries work as well since home inspectors have to test everything. A listing preparation checklist can come in handy when it comes to making sure everything’s in working order on inspection day.
In addition, hiring a pest control service to inspect your home prior to listing is a good idea, as they’ll make sure there are no surprises, such as termites or mice, during the inspection. Be sure to dispose of any traps before inspection day, as they are the last thing prospective buyers want to see.
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