This document provides advice for home sellers on preparing for and dealing with home inspections. It discusses how today's home buyers rely on professional home inspections and expect to negotiate findings. It recommends sellers get proactive by having a pre-inspection to identify issues beforehand and reassure buyers. The document outlines what home inspections generally cover and provides tips for sellers on preparing the home, such as making repairs, cleaning, and giving the inspector full access. It emphasizes that inspections are not pass/fail and should be an educational opportunity for buyers.

1. How To Pass A Home
Inspection
Advice for Home Sellers

2. Today’s Talk
REALITY CHECK
BEYOND PASS OR FAIL
SET THE STAGE
THE BIG DAY
WHAT’S NEXT?
DEAL WITH THE RESULTS
GET PROACTIVE

3. REALITY CHECK
Today’s Home Buyers:
Concerned about home values
Take their time
Insist on a professional a home inspection
Expect to negotiate findings
Want to buy a home – let’s help them!

4. No Home Will “Pass or Fail”
A home inspection is one of the most pivotal steps in the home sale
process, but it’s not a simple “pass or fail” test. A home inspection
should be:
An assessment of the major elements of the property
Performed by a trained professional
An educational opportunity for the home buyer

5. What Sellers Need to Know
Structural Elements
Exterior
Roof and Attic
Plumbing
Systems and Components
Electrical
Appliances
Garage
Framing, ventilation, roof construction, flashing, and gutters
Pipe materials, toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, and traps
Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney,
fireplace, and sprinklers
Main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans,
receptacles, ceiling fans, and light fixtures
Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal,
and smoke detectors
Slab, walls, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights,
receptacles, exterior, windows, and roof
Walls, ceilings, floors, roof, and foundation
Wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways,
fencing, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights, and exterior
receptacles
Home inspections generally last two or three
hours, and generally cover the following:

6. Preparing The Home: Set The Stage
There are several things sellers can do to help the home inspection go smoothly,
and ensure the best possible outcome:
 Repairing or replacing broken, damaged, or missing items such
as door knobs, locks and latches, broken window glass,
damaged window screens, and missing chimney flue caps
 Cleaning rain gutters and make sure downspouts are properly
attached and draining away from foundation
 Replacing burned out bulbs and faulty switches
 Having all HVAC equipment serviced, and cleaning or replacing
air filters
 Moving wood or stored items away from the home’s foundation

7. Preparing the Home to be Inspected
For the convenience of all parties and to keep the deal moving along the
home seller should help ensure all the inspections can be done in one
visit, without interruption or the need to make a second visit to the home
 Confirm utilities (electric, water, gas, fuel oil, etc.) are all on
 Pilot lights for water heaters, fireplace logs etc. should be lit
 Inform the inspector of any non-functioning systems

8. Preparing the Home: Final 24 Hours
There are a few things a home seller should do (and not do!) right before
the inspection to make things easier for the inspector to complete the
inspection:
 Don’t use fireplaces and woodstoves; they should be cool and clean for inspection
 Pets should be confined or removed from the home for the duration of
the inspection; do not place them in a room or area that will be inspected
 Leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher with detergent;
the inspector will run the dishwasher as part of the inspection
 Turn off any sensitive electronic equipment

9. Preparing the Home: The Big Day
On the day of the inspection, make sure the inspector will have access to
all major elements and areas of the home:
After the inspection is completed, sellers should make sure that any pre-
programmed electronics and alarms that were deactivated have been reset
 Unlock or remove locks from gates on fences, closets, or panel doors
 Move any stored items away from garage or basement walls
 Clear under cabinet areas and sinks for plumbing fixture inspections
 Remove items that may restrict access or movement in attic or
crawlspace
 Make sure the electrical panel is accessible
 Deactivate all security alarm systems

10. What’s Next
After the inspection is completed, the inspector will prepare his or her report and will
answer questionsfrom the buyers regarding any conditions identified. Generally you will
get the resultsof the inspection, and then need to share the buyer’s feedback.

11. Getting the Results
Don’t take the report personally; all homes have flaws!
Try not to react rashly; more than any other reason, emotions
can cause sales negotiations to fall apart
Focus on next steps and their response to any buyer
concerns
When provide the feedback on the inspection results, it’s important
to remind your seller to remain objective;

12. Get Proactive- WHY Wait?
Although many inspections are conducted by potential buyers after an offer has
been made, having an inspection performed prior to listing your home can
actually help you get to closing more quickly — and with fewer surprises.
In a volatile economic environment, more and
more real estate professionals today are
recommending that their sellers conduct a pre-
inspection at the time
of listing, to identify potential deal-breakers,
demonstrate good faith toward buyers, and set
the home apart from others on the market.

13. Pre-Inspections
A HouseMaster Pre-inspection Will Enable Sellers To:
Address any defects an inspector might find and have them repaired before
a potential buyer even sees the house
Eliminate last-minute price negotiating and reduce the possibility of buyers
getting cold feet as a result of an inspection uncovering a needed repair
Reassure buyers that what they see is what they get and speed up purchase
negotiations
Reinforce the reputation of the listing Realtor, and demonstrate the serious
intent of the seller
Highlight the assets of the home, pointing out major systems that have
recently been updated, or repairs made

14. HouseMaster Pre-Inspection
Promoting a home that has been Pre-Inspected will set the home apart from
similar listings
HouseMaster provides Pre-Inspected yard signs as well as internet logos to
identify your home as pre-inspected
Documentation regarding repairs found on the inspection should be
include in the inspection report to highlight your efforts in preparing the
home for sale
The HouseMaster report will be uploaded to a password
protected website so it’s easy to share when you have an
interested buyer
By having your home pre-inspected you significantly reduce the potential for
any post sale legal issues on conditions that may develop after closing

15. HouseMaster: Stands Up to Inspection
HouseMaster is the recognized authority on home inspections. Sellers
must select a home inspection company with the credentials to stand up
to buyer scrutiny.
Founded in 1979
More than 385 locations in North America
Nearly 2 million home inspections to date
Require E&O insurance
Require annual testing
Back report accuracy with Limited Repair Reimbursement Guarantee*
Provide extensive technical support
*Where Permitted

16. HouseMaster Tools
Preparing your home seller for the home inspection can go along way:
 “How to Pass” Hand out
 Interactive Guide to Home Inspections
 Onsite then Online Completed Report
 Pre-Inspection Program
 Referral Liability Protection
 NIBI® Inspectors

17. How WE CAN Help
HouseMaster’s Tools help you prepare your home seller for the home
inspection and:
 Offer positive approach
 Demonstrate value
 Avoid disappointment
 Close the deal!
 Reduce anxiety

18. Thank
You!!!

19. Contact HouseMaster
To locate a qualified home inspector in your area
CALL
VISIT
1.800.526.3939
www.housemaster.com