Real Estate: Seller's Checklist

Oh my, what if they find something wrong?!* Overitems can go a long way toward improving that
the years, professional home inspectors haveimportant first impression of your home. Here are
identified a list of problems that typically appear onsome improvements which you might consider:*
purchasers' home inspection reports. Early correctionRepair leaky faucets* Tighten loose door knobs*
of these problems can increase a home's appeal, andReplace damaged screens* Replace broken panes of
it's selling price. Correction also sets the stage for aglass - cloudy sealed-pane units can often be replaced
favourable home inspection report should theinexpensively, and will drastically improve the
purchaser request one, and thereby helps toappearance of a window or patio door.* Replace
streamline your sale. The following checklist can helpburned-out light bulbs, and wherever possible, replace
you achieve your marketing goals.* Using thebroken light fixtures* Secure loose railings* Patch
checklist as a guide to examine your house will enablesmall holes in walls and ceilings and repaint* Repair or
you to see your house the way a prospectivereplace faded or peeling wallpaper* Repair and coat
purchaser or a professional home inspector might.o Isthe drivewayTake safety precautions.Pay attention
your home physically fit? To give your home ato items relating to protecting the home and its
competitve edge when it's time to sell, make sure itoccupants from danger. The following are important
is in good physical condition. This not only makes yoursafety precaution which home buyers will appreciate,
house more attractive and desirable, it also simplifiesare relatively easy to implement and shouldn't cost a
or elimates the negotiation process when the timelot. And they'll create a great impression!* Installing
comes for the buyer's pre-purchasegood quality smoke detectors* Installing a good
inspection.According to home inspection expertsquality carbon-monoxide detector* Ensure adequate
everywhere, approximately half of the resale homesoutdoor lighting, especially in suburban and rural
on the market today have at least one significantlocales* 'GFCI' outlets outdoors and in wet locations
defect. Routine maintenance is the best way tosuch a bath & laundry areas.* Keep the stairwells tidy
prevent major costly problems from developing inand free of debris and obstructions, and leave plenty
the first place. So, if you've been putting off repairs,of clearance around the garage door, electrical panel
now is the time to catch up, as quick as you can!Toand furnace.* Keep flammables and combustibles
identify which components are most in need ofaway from the furnace and other utility areas.* If
repair, many sellers now enlist professional homeyou have direct entry from the garage to the interior
inspectors before putting up the 'For Sale' sign.*of the home, consider installing a hydraulic or other
What is a home inspection?A professional homeform of auto-closure device on the door.* Check the
inspection is an objective, in-depth visual examination'down' tension on garage door openers, and ensure
of a home's structure and operating systems, andthat the door reverses without an excessive amount
should result in a detailed report describing theof pressure.Make cosmetic improvements.An
condition of the home. The main intent of a homeattractive, clean and tidy appearance will enhance
inspection is to educate the client as to the physicalyour home's appeal. In addition to making any
condition of the home.o No house is perfect, and anecessary repairs, remember to:* Keep the lawn
home inspection is not intended to identify every littlemowed and the house 'picked-up'* Clean the exterior
blemish or minute surface imperfection. Thewalls & trim, and wash the windows squeeky clean.*
concientious home inspector tries to discover if thereOpen the shades and curtains to create a bright,
are major defects in a home that the client, andinviting atmosphere.* Pay particular attention to the
perhaps no one else, is aware of - and should alsocleanliness and comfort of the kitchen and
point out the positive aspects of a house. A good orbathrooms.Prepare for the buyer's inspection.More
better than average report can be a good marketingand more purchasers are requesting pre-purchase
tool for vendors and their agents.Print this list andinspections. It's a good idea to assemble in advance,
check it twice:Check the major systems.After size,the various house records that can be used to
style and location, a home buyer's primary concern isanswer questions from the purchaser and their
the condition of the basic structure and majorinspector.You should try to have on hand:* Appliance
electro-mechanical systems. Most buyers do notreceipts, service records and warranties* Information
want to invest a great deal of money correctingon the age of major components such as the roof
problems in such critical areas. A thoroughcoverings, furnace, air-conditioner, etc.* Major
investigation of the following major items should becomponent warranties (e.g. roofing, siding, windows,
made in order to determine if they are serviceable:*carpeting furnace and other appliances* Heating,
Roof structure and covering* Foundation, basement,water and electric bills from at least the past 12
and/or crawl space* Central heating and airmonthsHow did your house make out?Hopefully, this
conditioning systems* Electrical system* Plumbinghome seller's checklist has helped you gain a clearer
systemMake maintenance improvements.Theknowledge of your home's overall condition - from a
maintenance improvements listed below are relativelybuyer's perspective. Now you can make repairs or
easy and inexpensive to make, yet they canimprovements will will increase your home's
substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiencymarketability. And remember, you ARE marketing
and comfort.* Trim trees and shrubs which touch oryour house - you probably wouldn't try to sell your
overhang the house.* Apply new caulking andcar without making it clean and ready. It just makes
weatherstripping as needed around windows andgood sense! Of course, even if your house is already
doors.* Clean gutters of debris and leaves, repair orin optimum condition, a professional home inspection
replace cracked or broken gutters, downspouts andcan also be a good marketing tool. Just leave a copy
extensions to ensure proper drainage* Replaceof the report on the kitchen table for agents and
bathroom caulk or grout where necessary to preventpurchasers to read.Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights
seepage and improve appearance.* Ventilate closedreserved.Gil Strachan is a professional home
basements and crawl spaces, or install a dehumidifierinspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection
to prevent excessive.* Regrade soil around theServices in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994.
house to prevent ponding of water next to theVisit to learn more about home inspections."The
foundation* Replace dirty filters in the heating andHome Reference Book"
ventilating systems* Have the heating, ventilating andYou can probably find a home inspection for a little
air-conditioning systems professionally serviced* Haveless than what we ask, but you probably won't find
chimneys professionally cleaned & inspected, andthe Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this
install chimney hoods and caps as required. Forsolutions-oriented reference tool comes free with
wood-burning installations insist on a WETT Certifiedevery inspection we perform.It's the first tool you
Technician.Pay attention to details.Fixing even minorshould have around the house!