How to Prepare Your Home for an Inspection

by Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A. 05/11/2025

Preparing your home for sale is a complicated process. Home inspections are a key part of that process, and many buyers and sellers aren't sure what to expect. As a seller, it can be your best chance to negotiate pricing and terms with your potential buyer as well as identify any major issues that could be deal-breakers. Here's what sellers can expect from a home inspection:

What Will the Home Inspector Look For?

A home inspector will carefully evaluate the condition of your home's features. This includes major systems like heating, air conditioning, electrical and interior plumbing. They'll also examine the roof, walls (inside and out), ceilings, floors, doors and windows. Basements and attics are also on the list, as are major structural components like beams, pillars and the foundation.

There are also special home inspections for specific things like mold, termite damage and detailed foundation reports. These extra inspection reports can be optional, but be prepared for a buyer to request them.

How Can I Prepare for a Home Inspection?

The best way to get a complete and detailed report is to make the home inspector's job as simple and efficient as possible. Here are some things to consider doing to prepare:

Provide clearly-labeled keys for things like basement storage and electrical panels.
Turn on the pilot lights for fireplaces and furnaces to make it easier to check the heating components.
Remove or tidy anything that could prevent access to the basement, attic or other parts of the house. This includes providing easy access to appliances that are usually hidden away, like water heaters, HVAC units and furnaces.
Keep the yard neat for the inspector to access crawl spaces, drainage points and examine the foundation. You don't need to completely redo your landscaping, but cleaing the area of debris will help the inspector do their job.

Use the inspection report as an opportunity to improve your chances of selling your property and getting the best price possible.

Home Inspections

Home Inspector

Home Selling

About the Author

Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A.

In her role as a real estate and relocation specialist in South Florida and Northern Virginia, Ady Artime prides herself on providing the highest level of service, confidentiality and professionalism to her clients. Based on her own experience as a government liaison, Ady is in familiar territory working with high powered individuals. She possesses a discreet and confidential work ethic, and her keen eye, attention to detail, and experience with multi-million dollar properties have earned her a high-profile, loyal clientele that expect the best from their realtor.

Known for her expertise and strong background in interior design, she stands out from other real estate agents. When a satisfied client says that Ady knows real estate "inside and out", the statement is to be taken literally. Over the course of her career, she has received recognition as an award-winning interior designer. She has designed and implemented interiors for countless luxury projects throughout the United States, and Europe. Her extensive knowledge of all facets of design, including working with architects and construction teams, led to a natural progression into the real estate arena and gives her a definite edge over the competition in serving her clients.

As and agent in South Florida and North Virginia, Ady lends her real estate expertise and design savvy to buyers and sellers. Ady's mission is to develop a faithful, repeat clientele by providing them with superior service and value. She is passionate about her work and takes the time to understand each client's needs and goals to accurately assess the options she provides. From overseeing the staging of a listed property in order to fetch the highest possible price to analyzing a potential purchase from a design and architectural perspective.