Home inspections have a very important part in the home buying process. For buyers, the home inspection provides an assessment of the home conducted by a trained inspector. While not required for every home sale, most lenders and cash buyers will ask for a home inspection as a contingency in the sale contract.

For sellers, a ‘pre-inspection’ can reveal important details about a home’s systems and structure, allowing the seller to fix critical items ahead of time which might cause a buyer to walk away. If you’re a seller, here are the ways you can prepare your home for an inspection.

A home inspection is not quick. An inspector will look at the major systems in your home, such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing, roof, floors, attic or crawlspace, and the foundation and structural components. Be prepared for you and your family (and any non-contained pets) to be away from your home for two to four hours for thorough inspection. Note: If the seller ordered a ‘pre-inspection’, that seller will want to be present, so the inspector can debrief him/her.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2