Home inspections in San Diego are visual examinations of a residential property performed by trained and licensed home inspection technicians. The inspector’s job is to identify any issues that the property in question might have, and compile them in a comprehensive home inspection report that is then delivered to their client. 

While home inspections are most commonly used by people who are looking to purchase a house or an apartment, they’re also an invaluable tool for home sellers. But why is this so? Why do sellers need a home inspection?

Read on to learn the answers to these frequently asked home inspection questions. 

Why do sellers hire home inspectors?

When you come right down to it, selling a residential property is no different than selling anything else. You want to get the highest asking price you possibly can, and you want to make sure the transaction goes as smoothly as possible. 

This will be difficult to accomplish if the property has serious problems such as mold infestations, water damage, faulty appliances, crumbling roof shingles, and more. In extreme cases, local laws may even prohibit you from selling a house that has life-threatening issues such as faulty electrical systems and lead hazards. 

By having your property inspected prior to listing it on the real estate market, you’ll be able to address defects before any buyer sees them, or at least adjust your asking price to reflect these issues. More importantly, you may be able to significantly increase the value of your property by conducting key repairs. 

What to expect from a home inspection as a seller?

How you approach a home inspection depends in great part on whether it was you (the seller) who hired the inspector, or one of your prospective buyers. 

If the seller hired the inspector:

This normally occurs very early in the home selling process, usually before the home has even been listed. Broadly speaking, the home inspection process consists of 3 steps.

These steps are:

• Step #1: The home inspector will arrive at the property at an agreed-upon date and conduct the inspection. It’s highly advised for the client to be present throughout this inspection. Depending on the size of the property, the visual examination can take several hours.
• Step #2: After a few days, the inspector will provide you with an in-depth home inspection report. You should carefully study this report in order to familiarize yourself with any problems your property might have.
• Step #3: The inspector will meet you in person, and go over the report with you. This final meeting will provide you with critical insights and give you an opportunity to ask questions. 

If the buyer hired the inspector:

Interested buyers will likely want to hire their own home inspectors. Depending on the findings presented by the inspection, the buyers will decide whether to pull out, proceed with the deal, or renegotiate.

While buyers can’t stop sellers from attending the inspection, we advise you not to be present. All too many sales have fallen through as a result of emotional exchanges between buyers and sellers, so it’s best to let the buyers have their inspections on their own terms. 

Who provides the most comprehensive home inspections in San Diego?

Whether you’re looking to sell or buy a house in Kensington, or an apartment in the heart of San Diego, the same basic logic applies: you need to ensure you have all the information necessary to make a sound decision. 

This is where Inspectors Company comes in. As the premier provider of home inspection services in California, we are superbly positioned to supply you with a truly world-class home inspection. Contact us today. 

Home inspections are extensive examinations of residential properties conducted by certified San Diego, CA, home inspectors. After conducting a visual inspection, these experts will supply their clients with a home inspection report that lists all issues that a particular property has. 

Home inspectors are hired either by sellers to prepare the property for the real estate market, or by buyers who want to make sure the property is in good condition before proceeding with the deal. Furthermore, lenders often want to have a home inspection performed in order to ensure they’re making a sound investment. 

In the following article, we will explain how property sellers can prepare for a home inspection so as to avoid unnecessary complications and leave a positive impression on buyers. Keep reading to learn more.

How does a seller prepare for a home inspection?

How a seller prepares for a home inspection is largely dependent on who the inspector’s client is. If the seller has hired the inspector, all they have to do is ensure that the inspector has easy access to the vital areas of the house. 

On the other hand, if the buyer has scheduled the inspection, the seller should take a few extra steps in order to present their property in the best possible light and leave a good impression. 

Here’s how to prepare for a home inspection if you’re a seller:

• Remove any obstacles that may make it difficult for the inspector to access key parts of the house such as fireplaces, electrical panels, HVAC vents, windows, attic space, and so on. Be prepared to move large furniture or provide a step ladder for the inspector.
• Don’t turn off the utilities. The home inspector can’t properly test utilities such as the furnace, dishwasher, AC system, stove, etc., if they’re disconnected, so leave them on. The last thing you want is to waste time or possibly even lose a prospective buyer because the inspector has to reschedule. 
• Deal with small problems in advance. Faulty light bulbs, wall scratches, stains on furniture, and other minor issues can easily be dealt with ahead of time. This will show potential buyers that you regularly maintain your property.
• Give the home an in-depth cleaning. As with fixing small problems, having the place thoroughly cleaned is a great way to show the buyers that you’ve kept the property in good condition.
• Prepare the paperwork. The buyers and the home inspectors they hire will want to take a look at any summaries or invoices of renovations, repairs, and maintenance that you’ve done to the home. Create copies of these documents and share them with the buyer. 

What should be fixed after a home inspection?

Not everything that’s listed in the home inspection report needs to be addressed before the house can be sold. Many home repairs, including regular wear and cosmetic issues, can be negotiated. The sellers are only really expected to deal with 3 specific types of repairs. 

These types of repairs are:

• Building code violations include the absence of smoke detectors, the use of lead paint, the use of non-flame retardant roofing material, and more.
• Safety concerns like pest infestations, mold problems, or exposed electrical wiring.
• Structural defects such as roof framing damage, decaying floor boards, cracked foundations, and similar.

Where can I hire the most reliable home inspectors of San Diego, CA?

Even the most gorgeous piece of property in Harborview is likely to have at least some issues. Needless to say, you want to find out about these issues as soon as possible regardless of whether you’re looking to sell or purchase the said property. 

Here at Inspectors Company, we can help you with that. Our San Diego home inspectors are all licensed experts who use modern home inspection techniques and software. Call us today.