Selling your home in Denver? Making sure it’s in tip-top shape for Home Inspections Denver CO is crucial. As a seller, you want your home to impress buyers and their inspectors. This ensures a smooth sale with no last-minute surprises or requests for repairs and credits.
While no home is perfect, thorough preparation and preventative maintenance can head off many issues that might concern home inspectors. Follow these tips as you get your Denver house ready to go on the market.
Do a Pre-Inspection Walkthrough
Before listing your home, do your own inspection. Go room by room, inside and out, to spot any defects or problems. Make notes on what needs attention so you can start addressing issues right away.
Focus on the areas and systems that home inspectors will examine closely:
Roof and Attic
- Check roof shingles for any damaged, curling, or missing pieces. Have a roofer inspect if you find problems.
- Look for dampness, mold, or water stains on interior ceiling and walls. This could indicate roof leaks.
- Make sure attic insulation is adequate and evenly distributed. Add more if needed.
- Ensure attic ventilation is sufficient. Inspect soffit vents and roof vents.
- Check that bath and kitchen fans vent properly outside, not just into the attic.
Exterior
- Scan siding, trim, windows, and doors for any rot, cracks, or decay. Make repairs.
- Check for wasp nests, beehives, or rodents around the home’s exterior. Remove any pests.
- Clean gutters and downspouts so rainwater flows away from home properly.
- Ensure walkways, patios, decks are even and secure with no major cracks or trip hazards.
Structure
- Look for any signs of foundation settling – floors notably uneven, cracks in walls or ceilings, doors and windows out of square. Consult a foundation repair company if found.
- Check for moisture damage or rotting wood around baseboards, windows, and doors.
Electrical
- Test all light fixtures, switches, and outlets. Replace any that are loose, damaged, or inoperable.
- Check for hazardous wiring – frayed cords, exposed wires. Call an electrician if any major issues.
- Ensure panel and wiring has capacity to handle home’s electrical needs. Upgrade if needed.
Plumbing
- Check under sinks for leaks or signs of water damage. Repair any drips or cracks in supply lines.
- Run all faucets and flush toilets. Make sure sinks drain properly.
- Look at water pressure. Should be 45 psi or more. Clean aerators if pressure is weak.
- Drain and fill water heater to remove sediment. Flush tanks if necessary.
Heating and Cooling
- Have HVAC company inspect entire system – furnace, heat pump, central air. Schedule any needed repairs.
- Change air filters and have ducts cleaned if dirty.
- Make sure thermostat works properly. Replace batteries if applicable.
- Ensure all vents and returns are clear of furniture, rugs, and dust.
Interiors
- Check walls and ceilings for any cracks, water stains, or settling issues. Repair and repaint.
- Look for signs of mold on walls and corners, especially in bathrooms. Clean up any mold.
- Make sure windows open easily and lock securely. Repair/replace as needed.
- Test all appliances. Service or replace any that don’t operate correctly.
- Check for smoke and CO detectors. Install new ones if missing or expired.
- Ensure handrails are secure on staircases. Repair creaks or gaps between steps.
Make Cosmetic Improvements
While home inspectors focus on systems and structures, cosmetics still matter for impressing potential buyers. Concentrate on quick upgrades that give your home maximum appeal:
Paint – A fresh coat of neutral interior paint can make your home look bright and updated. Exterior paint protects siding and improves curb appeal.
Flooring – Refinish dingy hardwoods. Replace worn carpet or damaged tiles. New floors modernize.
Landscaping – Prune overgrown trees and shrubs. Plant flowers. Mulch beds. Improve the exterior space.
Cleanliness – Hire professionals to clean carpets, windows, tile, and grout. Eliminate grime, dust, and odors throughout.
Declutter – Pack up excess furniture and personal items. Remove clutter from rooms and closets so they appear more spacious.
Make minor fixes – Patch holes, fix drips, replace cracked tiles, tighten doorknobs, oil squeaks, etc. The little things make a difference.
Have Inspection-Specific Preparations Done
Some inspections require specific preparations for inspectors to do their job properly. Verify these are done ahead of time:
- Termite inspection – Clear debris and mulch at least 1 ft back from home’s foundation so inspectors can access the exterior perimeter.
- Radon testing – Don’t air out home excessively right before testing. Keep windows closed 12 hours prior to get a more accurate reading.
- Well water testing – Don’t disinfect well or chlorinate water for at least 2 weeks before testing. This ensures contaminants aren’t masked.
- Septic inspection – Locate tank and drain field access covers so inspector can easily open them.
Review the Inspection Report Carefully
When you receive the home inspector’s report, read through it closely. Make sure you understand the significance of any identified defects.
Ask your real estate agent to clarify any findings you have questions about. Determine which ones may require repair negotiations with the buyer versus those that can be left as-is.
Prioritize any inspector recommendations that involve safety issues, structural/foundation concerns, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or infestations. Delaying these repairs can lead to bigger problems. Handle them before closing for your own peace of mind.
For minor cosmetic defects like worn cabinets or carpet stains, decide which ones are worth fixing now versus leaving for the buyers to update later. Repairs and credits can directly cut into your sale proceeds, so weigh the costs and benefits.
Stay reasonable – no home is perfect. But doing prudent preparation along with promptly addressing major inspection findings will help ensure a smooth sale in Denver.
Top Areas of Focus When Preparing for a Home Inspection
When getting your Denver home ready to sell, pay extra attention to these key areas that home inspectors will examine closely:
Electrical System
Safety is crucial when it comes to electrical. Inspectors will:
- Check for open junction boxes, exposed wiring.
- Test outlets with a plug-in circuit analyzer.
- Look for hazardous aluminum wiring if home was built between 1965-1973.
- Ensure panel doesn’t show signs of overheating.
- Confirm grounding system and GFCI protection work properly.
- Check for smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each level.
Fix any issues prior to listing your home. Outdated wiring or panels may need upgrading to meet modern safety codes and electrical demands.
Plumbing
Inspectors will:
- Check water pressure at all fixtures.
- Run water in sinks, tubs, showers to check for leaks, clogs.
- Flush toilets to confirm proper operation.
- Look at water heater for leaks or corrosion.
- Scan visible pipes for damage or improper fittings.
- Locate main water shut-off valve to ensure it’s functional.
Leaks and clogs can spiral into huge problems if left unaddressed. Make plumbing repairs a priority before inspection.
Heating and Cooling
Your HVAC system will get a thorough evaluation:
- Check heating and cooling at thermostat to confirm proper operation.
- Inspect condition of furnace, ductwork, AC unit.
- Look for leaks in refrigerant lines.
- Ensure vents and returns are unobstructed.
- Change air filter if dirty.
- Verify thermostat is properly calibrated.
Have a technician inspect your heating/cooling system before listing. Repair or replace units as needed so they operate efficiently for buyers.
Roof and Attic
Inspectors will:
- Scan roof surface for damaged, curling or loose shingles.
- Check flashings around chimneys, vents for cracks.
- Look for leaks, water damage, dampness in attic.
- Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from home.
- Check adequate insulation and ventilation.
Roof issues left unattended can lead to costly repairs later. Have roof and attic thoroughly inspected now to avoid surprises.
Foundation
Inspectors will look for:
- Cracks in foundation walls or floors.
- Signs of water intrusion like damp spots, mold.
- Improper drainage away from home.
- Cracks or shifting in walls that could indicate settling.
