Essential Advice and a Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers: Maximizing Your Home Sale

Check the Functionality of all Things

Some things and appliances in your house can lose functionality over time. During a home inspection, an inspector checks and tests whether various things are working, including those in the kitchen and bathroom. Therefore, if you're selling your house to a we buy houses Kansas City company, test the functionality of various items to sell your house for a reasonable price, including;

• Check the connection of the heating ducts
• Test the door handles and window seals
• Test the opening and closing of the garage doors
• Ensure the light switches are functional
  

Clean and declutter all Rooms

Many items in your rooms take up more space. Also, the house looks untidy, especially if things need to be put in place. To maximize your home sale, consider deep cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalizing your home. If you're expecting cash home buyers in Kansas City to send an inspector to your home, you should;

• Removing the family photos and personal collections
• Clean appliances, including stove and microwave
• Reorganize and arrange the closets and cabinets
• Get rid of damaged items

Check all Utilities

Utilities are crucial in every home. If damaged or broken, it could affect your budget because you pay high energy bills. Again, the house is uncomfortable because of the temperatures. Therefore, home buyers avoid purchasing houses that need costly repairs of appliances. Though most cash home buyers Kansas City buy a house as-is, functional utilities increase the value of your home. Common utilities to check include;

• Cleaning the air filters and cleaning the ducts
• Checking the water temperatures in the water heater
• Ensuring the electrical system is in an excellent condition
• Ensure there are no leaking sinks or faucets
  

Make the Needed Repairs

Most home inspectors notice minor damages in your home. Broken and damaged items can be a turn-off to potential home buyers. Minor repairs are cost-effective if you DIY. However, you can hire a professional to fix these repairs if you lack the tools and skills to avoid injuries. Therefore, before a pre-inspection, do the necessary repairs, including;

• Replace outdated lighting fixtures and bulbs
• Repair damaged sinks in the kitchen and bathroom
• Replace cracked windows
• Replace broken door handles
• Replace broken air conditioners and furnaces
  

Examine the Exterior

The exterior of your home creates first impressions for a cash home buyer Kansas City. Before purchasing your house, the cash buyer sends an inspector to assess your home and determine its value. Therefore, as you clean the interior, remember the exterior of the house is important. It's the first place the inspector sees after entering your property. Things to do outside your home before a pre-inspection include;

• Repair the damaged bricks and cracked joints in your chimney
• Check any signs of siding cracking and decay
• Inspect the window and door frames to check the signs of cracks and decay
• Check for rust in the gutter and remove debris
  

Check the Security and Safety Systems

Security and safety are a priority for homeowners. Therefore, home buyers consider the safety of their families before buying a home. Thus, a home inspector pays details to safety when assessing your home. Thus, beforehand, consider the following;

• Test the smoke and carbon detectors
• Get rid of all pests, including termites
• Check the functionality of the video doorbell
• Check the water leak sensor
• Ensure the functionality of security cameras
• Ensure to have a fire extinguisher or chimney entry points 
  

Leave the Property for Your Inspector

Leaving your property during a pre-inspection is an excellent idea. This way, the inspector has privacy and more time to check all the details in your house. Staying on your property could create suspicion in the inspector because they think you're distracting them to avoid a thorough assessment. Again, it could be challenging for you when the inspector touches your items, especially if you're emotional. However, before leaving your property, do the following;

• Leave all utilities on
• Leave all the keys and remote for the doors
• Take your pets with you
• Leave paperwork for your home maintenance

Disclose Unknown Issues

Homes develop problems over the years. Some problems are costly, making you unable to repair and replace them before an inspection. These issues could lower your price, and Kansas City home buyers could offer a cheaper price than expected. However, failure to disclose the problems in your house makes you look dishonest to the inspector. However, honesty is key because some cash buyers can purchase your home as-is at a reasonable price. Again, some house buyers can file a lawsuit if you sell your house with undisclosed issues. Common undisclosed effects include;

• Hidden water damage
• Radon leaks
• Huge cracks in the house's foundation
• Rotten wood
• Broken septic system
• Faulty plumbing
• Baseness dampness
  

Final Thoughts

Maximizing your home sale is crucial because your home is your investment. The above tips help you create good first impressions for your home before an inspector comes for an assessment. Though it takes time and money, these tricks increase your house value to help you sell reasonably. Thus, consider the repairs, cleaning, decluttering, and checking the functionality of items before putting your home for sale.