Home inspection findings are a big part of a real estate transaction. A long punch list from an inspector can cause a deal to fall apart, even if the items are minor. It is recommended you take a look at your house, prior to putting it on the market. You may be able to avoid a long list of to-do’s and save on some costs by repairing some yourself or hiring a handyman, and/or appropriately licensed professionals, rather than having a buyer request specialty contractors for every repair. Some of the most common items:
- Leaking hose bibs – often caused by a loose nut that just requires tightening
- Open grout or caulk seams – particularly in kitchens near the sink, in showers and at the floor seam where it meets the shower.
- Earth to wood contact- most common in wood fence posts that are mounted to the house or deck boards in contact with the siding.
- Vapor barriers in crawl spaces – the plastic barrier should be dry, free of holes and cracks
- Leaks under the house – check for drips or leaks from shower drains or other plumbing & have them repaired
- Evidence of water under the house- isolate the source, most commonly a leak or yard irrigation
- Opening crawl space vents, if applicable- having crawl space vents open helps keep air flowing
- Fresh return filters on the furnace- have clean furnace filters in place
- Make sure burners work – many inspections with gas burners are called for malfunctioning burners when there is just build up in the parts. Often, soaking the removable pieces of the burner in vinegar will cure the problem.
- Shower fixtures- assure they are attached to the wall and sealed properly, so water can’t get behind the wall
- Broken sprinkler vacuum breakers- these parts are prone to freezing and breaking when not properly winterized.
- Burned out light bulbs – burned out light bulbs can show up in an inspection report as “not responding to the switch,” which buyers tend to assume there is an electrical problem. Check switches and replace bulbs as necessary.
- Ceiling fans– if your fan operates from a remote, have it accessible.
- An unlabeled electrical panel- breakers should be properly and professionally labeled.
- Insulation on the condensate line of the a/c – often the foam strip on the a/c lines are deteriorated or missing. Have them replaced.
- Earthquake straps on your water heater– This is a safety issue and can be flagged on your home inspection and your appraisal. Make sure it is properly strapped at the top and bottom.
- Proper drainage of the water heater- consult your plumber for proper drainage
- Windows that don’t open properly – clean window tracks to assure windows operate correctly
- Leaks- check under the garbage disposal, under kitchen & bathroom sinks & under your house for leaks and have them repaired.
- Sink stoppers- sink stoppers often lose their ability to hold themselves up. Often you can fix these by hand-tightening them.
- Slow drains- Most of the time this occurs in the bathrooms and it is due to hair build-up in the drains.
- Evidence of nests, rodents– If there are abandoned bird nests, or evidence of rodents in your home, have them cleaned up prior to inspections.
- Dryer vents—check the exterior of the house and dryer vents for excess lint and debris. Have them cleaned to avoid them becoming a fire hazard.
- Wet insulation on the rim joists—wet insulation can harbor fungus. Have this fixed.
- Evidence of fungus- Fungus classifications can vary and should be professionally treated.
- Attic ladders- attic ladders without some kind of fireproofing layer will be a breach in the firewall of the garage
- Garage Man Doors – Garage doors to the house have a hinge designed to shut the door on their own, as a fire safety measure. Adjust the hinge to make it self-closing.
- Garage doors- Have the garage door adjusted to retract with the appropriate pressure and the sensors operating properly.
- Exterior outlets without proper covers—make sure exterior outlets have the appropriate weather proof covers
- Open junction boxes—electrical boxes should be property covered, ideally by a licensed professional.
Please keep in mind, having your house in a well maintained condition and ready for inspections is no substitute for proper disclosure. If you have a recurring problem or have made some major repairs, it is important to disclose it to perspective buyers and your real estate professional.
Christy Klingler. Realtor. S.49001
Dickson Realty
775.750.5492
