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How to Prepare for Your Home Inspection

Louisiana REALTORS® • December 9, 2024

The home inspection process is an integral part of selling your home. And just like studying in school helped when it was test-taking time, there are things you can do to prepare your home for its inspection as well. The inspection report plays a huge role in not only the selling price of your home but also whether the sale will go through at all. One way to make sure that the inspection and its results go as smoothly as possible is to perform a pre-inspection.


Why Opt for a Pre-Inspection?

A pre-inspection offers a lot of advantages. First, it will prevent you from being surprised by any major issues that a buyer’s inspector may discover. With this information, you can decide how you want to proceed in terms of making repairs or accounting for them at your asking price. Possessing a pre-inspection report also shows the prospective buyer that your home is well-cared for, which can provide peace of mind as they move forward in the purchasing process.


What Do Home Inspectors Look For?

Home inspectors look at a variety of different areas throughout the home. They will assess their current condition and any other issues that can impact the operation and safety of the home. Any appliances, like the stove, oven, refrigerator, hot water heater, etc. that remain in the house will be evaluated to ensure that they are in good working order. The structural integrity of the house will also be checked. This includes the roof, foundation, windows, doors, attic and crawl spaces, and more. The home’s major systems will also be looked over. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more will be a major component of an inspector’s report.


How Can You Prepare Your Home for an Inspector?

You can make the inspection process a smooth one by doing a few things in advance. Now that you know what the areas of focus will be, they can be cleaned and decluttered. Organize anything stored in the attic, change the appropriate filters, and make sure the exterior of your home is easily accessible. You can also do a quick check of your home’s essential functions. Test all light switches, check all doorknobs and locks, and ensure all toilets and faucets are working correctly. This is also the time to make any necessary repairs that you are aware of. This can be as simple as replacing old light bulbs and unclogging drains.


These are only a few of the things that can improve the results and experience of your home inspection. However, entrusting the selling process of your home to a knowledgeable, professional REALTOR® should be your first step.

CONSUMER RESOURCES

Consumer Guide Update: Preparing for Homeownership

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 19, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on preparing for homeownership. This guide covers what prospective buyers should consider as they kick off the home purchase process, including the importance of credit scores, mortgage pre-approval, down payments, budgeting, and educational resources. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with potential clients to ensure they have the information they need to be successful in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property taxes.

Consumer Guide Update: Escrow and Earnest Money

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 14, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on escrow. This guide covers what homebuyers should know about earnest money deposits, including the general terms and use cases in real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Flood Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover preparing prospective buyers for homeownership.

2026 LR Officer Elections, RVPs & NAR Director Applications

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 12, 2025
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
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