The Last Household Inspection Checklist You'll Ever Need

Trying to sell your home brings about a lot of responsibilities, but you want to make sure you’re getting the most for your property.

12:50 25 February 2020

There’s many horror stories involving people who’ve tried selling their house, only to find out it requires a ton of repairs. If you’re wondering what are some items that you should be looking at when attempting to sell your property, we’ve included some tips. 

Check the Gutters 

Something commonly overlooked when you’re looking trying to sell your home are the eavestroughs or gutters, but they really should be at the top of the list. If the gutters look damaged, or you’re noticing there’s water pooled in them, you know you’ll need to spend some money on repairs. You want to make sure you’re avoiding any future water damage before you even get the chance to sell your house. Often people don’t realize water damage can come from poorly function eavestroughs and fail to fix them. 

Check your Plumbing System

It’s important that all of your plumbing is functioning properly prior to selling so make sure all the taps are in working order. If you notice any issues with the plumbing it’s best you deal with this straight away and think about hiring a professional plumber. The severity of the issue is going to alter the cost of the contractor so ultimately it’s your decision. If you’re looking for a plumbing contractor in Arlington, these plumbing experts might be able to help you find a solution. Water damage can be particularly destructive, so you’ll want a good plumber so you won’t need to worry about it happening again. 

Check For Structural Cracking 

Take a walk around the building and make sure there’s no cracks in any concrete or siding. If you’re deciding to sell the home “as-is” you may not be concerned about small cracks or relatively miniscule damage. However, structural renovations can run a pretty high bill and they can become exponentially worse when not treated. You may want to hire a professional contractor to inspect the property and offer any recommendations. If there’s a termite infestation affecting any wood, you may need to contact an exterminator in order to abide by realty laws. 

Check if Windows are Sealed 

Something that will speak volumes to potential buyers are windows that are properly sealed and installed. Make sure they’re informed about how recently the windows were installed and their energy efficiency rating. It can offer peace of mind to a buyer knowing that their energy bills aren’t going to run sky-high because the windows were installed properly. It’s easy to spot improper caulking, so ensure that the window has been tightly sealed all the way around. 

Check if the Roof Is In Good Condition 

A roof that is in poor condition can scare many would-be home buyers away. If your roof hasn’t been renovated in the past few decades you should be checking to see if it’s time to replace your shingles. Crumbling roofs can be difficult to spot from the ground, so grab a ladder and inspect the roof closely if you need to. A newly installed roof can greatly impact the value that you’ll get out of your property and it’s worth the expense. It makes the sale of your house that much easier if the buyer doesn’t need to be concerned about the roof for the next couple decades. 

Check Moisture In The Basement 

Carefully inspect your basement for any signs of continued moisture, basements are notorious for harbouring both moisture and mold. If there’s been any mold damage in your home be sure to hire someone to come and remove the mold. It’s also important to note that you’ll want to eliminate the initial cause of the mold. If you spend money on repairs but don’t tackle the original problem you’re going to run into more expenses down the road. Mold can be extremely detrimental to people who are trying to sell their house, and some state laws may inhibit you from selling the property. 

If you’re looking to get the most value out of your home, it’s important to follow the items on this checklist to make sure it’s in tip top shape. If you’re considering any major renovations, always speak with a real estate agent to see if you’ll see a gain on renovation expenses. Sometimes considerable renovations only raise the property value marginally because there are other factors to include, such as location, and what neighbouring properties are selling for. As long as you’re focusing on maintaining the structural integrity, plumbing system, and removing mold, you will get the most out of your property.