Getting Your Home Ready for the Home Inspection
                                by Dave Ingram (Home ‘N’ Spec)

It is typically the seller's responsibility to get the home ready for the inspection. The listing agent should notify the seller of these expectations. The following suggestions will help get the home ready for the home inspection, and minimize the need for the home inspector to make a return trip to the home, which may cost an additional fee.

• All utilities need to be turned on (available to the device) and all gas appliances need to be ready to run (pilot lights must be on).
• Access needs to be cleared to areas like attics, crawl spaces, electric panels (main service panel, disconnects and sub-panels), water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners etc.
• Closets need to be cleared if access areas, such as to the attic, are located within closets. The home inspector is not required to move personal property.
• Keys should be available for any locked areas, such as the crawl space.
• The inspector should be notified if there are any occupants of the home that may be sleeping, such as infants.
• Aggressive or "escape artist" animals should be removed from the property to allow full, unencumbered access to all areas that are to be inspected (the complete structure, including interior spaces, garages and exterior areas).
• The inspector should be notified of any items that should not be touched/operated due to condition / inoperability (ex: a faulty sink that leaks whenever turned on)

Please keep in mind that the inspector is there to inform and educate the buyer….not to pass or fail the house !