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The Nashville Home Inspector Answers Your Questions

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At Nashville Home Inspection we understand that many times the inspection process is time sensitive and essential for an expedient closing. That is why we have prepared this pre-inspection checklist so that we can do our job efficiently.

First, we would like to answer some of the commonly asked questions about our service:

What is a home inspection?

We are a real estate support service that evaluates the overall structural, mechanical and electrical condition of the home. We examine nearly all-visible construction components and evaluate whether these items are still serviceable. We make notations of items that may need attention to help preserve their long-term integrity. We also give our client helpful advice on general home maintenance.

Is this a building code compliance inspection?

No. Many homes were built before building codes were ever established. When building codes were established, many counties adopted (or enforced) their own version of these building codes. It would be impossible to verify the governing code for every time period in every county and make a compliance type inspection.

We inspect residential resells for function and safety.  In other words do the systems and components of the house function properly and are there safety hazards present.

Home sellers, please do the following:

Confirm that all utilities are on and pilot flames are ignited.
Please provide keys for all doors & gates.
Please make sure that all domestic animals are secured.
Change or clean dirty A/C filters. Clean range exhaust filter if there is a greasy build up. (fire hazard)
Check batteries in smoke detector.
Free windows that have been painted shut.
Replace torn weather stripping around exterior doors.
Replace any missing switch or receptacle covers.
Clean gutters and down spouts.
Trim back any tree limbs that may be touching the roof of the house.
Keep foundation vents open. (except in frigid weather)
Have your HVAC system serviced if it has been over a year since the last service.
Call Nashville Home Inspection (615)- 208-9009 if you have any questions about how to prepare your house for inspection.

Making the decision to sell Your home is a huge step for most homeowners.  But once the decision is made to sell, then making your home Marketable should be your number one goal!   I understand the emotional attachment You have to your home but you must be realistic about the home as well.  No home is perfect and as soon as you realize THAT you are on your way to making your home more Marketable.  And remember, making your home the most marketable it can be should be your number one goal! Potential home buyers want to purchase a home that is in tip-top shape, no matter the age of the home.  That’s why having a Pre-Listing Inspection make complete sense.  Also: a)    Having a home inspection before you put your house on the market will allow you to understand any current or potential problem areas with the home that can be resolved before the buyers arrive.  Therefore, your home will be in better condition for viewing, making it more marketable and this will help you attain the maximum selling price for the home. b)    Resolving problems prior to the buyer’s inspection will save you money in two other ways as well.  First, when you know what needs to be repaired in advance of the sale you can obtain multiple bids for the work that needs to be done and select the best contractor at the best price.  Secondly, the work can be done by the contractor in a time frame that fits his schedule as well thereby avoiding the “Rush Charges” to get the work completed. c)    Finally, there is one secret all Sellers need to know.  Buyers make their decision to purchase a home based on emotion and justify that decision with logic.  And another thing is equally true:  Buyer’s can fall out of love with a home just as quickly as the fell in love it.  So why let the Buyer’s Inspector develop a long list of items needing repair thereby jeopardizing your sale?   Making the repairs in advance of the sale will save you tons of frustration and disappointment! So let’s review the facts:  Having your home inspected before the first buyer shows up will help you to sell the home for more money, reduce the cost of the needed repairs, and minimize your frustration with the entire sales process.  Where’s the down side to getting a Pre-Listing Inspection?