Baton Rouge Real Estate, Louisiana Real Estate Listings and Shenandoah Real Estate Listings

The Pat Wattam Team will help you with Baton Rouge real estate, Shenandoah real estate and homes for sale in Prairieville

Home Inspections - Sellers!

Preparing Your House For A Home Inspection

Many sellers ask what they can do to prepare for the home inspection, whether they have ordered one or if it is the one ordered by the purchaser after the contract has been accepted. You will note that these are many of the same items you should already have done to prepare your home for sale. Use this check list below to help you prepare for the home inspection. Many of these items can be done with little or no cost and many are regular maintenance items for a home.

Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding. Six (6) or more inches of clearance is preferred.

Clean out dirty gutters or debris from the roof.

Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, and the like. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out basement entry drains.

Trim trees, roots and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding and chimney.

Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around the trim, chimney, windows and doors.

Seal asphalt driveways, if cracking.

Seal or point up masonry chimney caps. Install metal flue cap.

Clean or replace HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns and plenum.

Point up any failing mortar joints in brick or block.

Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.

Update attic ventilation if none is present.

Have the chimney, fireplace or wood stove cleaned and provide the buyer with a copy of the cleaning record.

Seal masonry walls in the basement.

Don't do quick cheap repairs. You may raise questions that will unfairly cause great concern to buyers and inspectors.

Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked windowpanes.

Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working conditions. Check for and fix any leaks. Caulk around fixtures if necessary.

Install GFCI receptacles near all water sources. Test all present GFCI receptacles for proper operation.

Check sump pump for proper operation.

Replace any burned out light bulbs.

Remove rotting wood and/or firewood from contact with the house.

Ensure that proper grading is followed under a deck.

Install proper vapor barrier in crawl spaces.

Caulk all exterior wall penetrations.

Check to ensure that the crawl space is dry and install a proper vapor barrier if necessary. Remove any visible moisture from a crawl space. Moisture levels in wood should be below 18% to deter rot and mildew.

Check that bath vents are properly vented and in working condition.

Remove paints, solvents, gas, and similar materials from crawl space, basement, attic, porch, and so forth.

If windows are at or below grade, install window wells and covers.

Have clear access to attic, crawl space, heating system, garage and other areas that will need to be inspected.

If the house is vacant, make sure that all utilities are turned on, including water, electric, water heater, furnace, air conditioning and breaks in the main panel.

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The Pat Wattam Team
RE/Max First
4750 Sherwood Common
Baton Rouge, LA USA 70816
1-800-599-6769 x400
RE/MAX First: 225-291-1234
Pat Wattam (Direct Line): 225-298-6900
Fax: 225-295-1234

Licensed RealtorŽ in the States of Louisiana and Alabama

sold@patwattam.com

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