Leaking walls in the basement may be expensive to repair. If serious problems exist, and you do not want to make repairs, you can consider lowering the price of the house upfront, with the understanding that the price reflects the problem. Another option is to give the buyers an allowance to make repairs after closing.
Mold & Mildew
The word mold is enough to scare most buyers and have them running for the hills. Mildew stains and odors are a red flag to buyers and home inspectors especially now that toxic black mold is such a hot topic. Chances are you won't even get an acceptable offer if mold and mildew are present. Even if the mold in your house is the normal variety--and not stachybotrys chartarum--take care of it immediately. Kill the mold and mildew and fix the source of the problem.
Plumbing Problems
Fix leaks and clogs long before the home inspection takes place. The inspector will check water pressure by turning on multiple faucets and flushing toilets at the same time. Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines will be tested if they are part of the personal property that is included in the contract.
Leaks and clogs will be apparent during these checks.
Electrical Systems
The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration should be adequate for the needs of the house. A 100 amp electrical panel works well for small to moderate-sized homes - 200 amp is ideal for larger homes. Individual circuits should not be overloaded.
The inspector will look for receptacles with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFI) in bathrooms and kitchens. These receptacles have little test-reset buttons on them. The home inspector will check to make sure the receptacles are in working condition. Some of the grounded receptacles (with 3-pronged plugs) will be checked too. Because this falls under a fire safety issue, the seller is required to fix or replace these receptacles if they are not working property.
Furnace and Air Conditioning
The inspector will check the heating and cooling systems, making sure they work properly and commenting about their efficiency. It would be a good idea to have a professional come out
to clean and check your furnace before you sell your home. A furnace that looks dirty and neglected raises red flags in both the buyer and home inspectors eyes. A clean furnace says "I've
been taken care of!"
The inspector will also take a close look at the structure and foundation. All appliances will be checked. The inspection report will include details about smoke detectors.
Before the Inspection 
Do everything you can to get the house in good condition before you attempt to sell it, but don't be discouraged if the inspection report contains negative statements. Home inspectors make note of everything they see. No home is perfect.
Remember that the home inspection report is not a wish-list for buyers. Read your contract carefully--it probably states which systems should be in good working order at closing. For instance, if the roof is older but doesn't leak, it is in good working order. If there's a leak, and fixing just the leak is possible, the roof will be in good working order.
When it comes time to deal with home inspection issues, know that you have several options.
You can fix all the items that the buyer has requested or you can negotiate to fix just a few.
You can also offer monetary compensation in lieu of fixing it yourself. The buyers would then
be responsible for those problems once they took possession of the property. You are under
no obligation to make any repairs at all -- but know that the buyer then has the right to cancel
his contract if he is not satisfied with your response.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail if you have any questions about the home selling process. It would be my pleasure to assist you in any way I can.
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| Mary Tokarz |
Email At: |
| Century 21 Kreuser & Seiler |
mary.tokarz@century21.com |
| 200 N Milwaukee Ave |
Toll-free |
| Libertyville, IL 60048 |
(800) 321-2124 x208 |
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