Are you planning a real estate transaction in Albany or Corvallis this summer? Whether you're buying or selling, the home inspection can often be one of the most stressful moments of the entire process. The good news is that knowing what to expect can help you reduce those stress levels and handle the home inspection with confidence. Our real estate agents have more on how to navigate the home inspection process for buyers and sellers.

What Is a Home Inspection?

At its core, a home inspection is an assessment of the safety and condition of the home, which is conducted as a routine step in the sales process. The inspection includes in-depth looks at many of the home's key systems, like heating/cooling, plumbing, and electrical. It also looks at vital aspects of the home's exterior, including the foundation and roof.

Once the inspection has begun, the process normally takes a few hours at most. The home inspector will carefully analyze each aspect of the home but is not permitted to offer advice or make repair estimates. The outcome of the home inspection can have a major impact on the rest of the sales process.

How Buyers and Sellers Can Prepare for the Inspection

Buyers

• Research and Vet Home Inspectors
  Since you'll typically be hiring the home inspector as a buyer, it's worth investing some time to give yourself the best chance of finding the right match. 

• Review Disclosures
  In some cases, the seller may have already made disclosures about certain types of issues with the home before the home inspection happens. Make sure to review any disclosures that the seller makes, so you'll have a better idea of what to expect during the inspection.

• Prepare for the Big Day
  Ideally, you or your agent will be there on inspection day to see the process. It's important to let the inspector do their job, so you'll mostly be an observer. Still, most inspectors will be willing to answer questions, so set aside some time for Q&A at the end of the inspection.

Sellers

• Clean and Declutter
  A clean, organized, decluttered home makes life easier for the inspector, so it's worth investing a little elbow grease before inspection day to make sure that your home is in the best shape possible. Given how in-depth the inspector looks at the home, a thorough cleaning is simply a must.

• Provide Access to the Inspector
  In order to review all of the home's systems, the inspector may need access to areas where you rarely go, like the attic or crawlspace. Before inspection day, make sure that the entries to those areas are clear, accessible, and safe for the inspector. This will make life easier when inspection day arrives.

• Take Care of Necessary Repairs
  If your home has minor maintenance issues that are likely to show up on the inspection, taking care of the necessary repairs ahead of time can save you some major headaches. A thorough review of the home can help you identify issues that may need to be addressed before the inspection.

Whether you need help navigating the home inspection or handling another aspect of the sales process, our experienced, local team is here to help with all of your real estate needs. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Albany and Corvallis, OR area.