HOME INSPECTION FOR BEGINNERS

So you've put your house on the market, found a buyer, and agreed on a price. Your house is almost sold, but it's not quite time to start packing the moving boxes just yet — you still have to pass the home inspection.

The house inspection occurs after the buyer has signed a purchase agreement but before the final closing date in a typical real estate transaction. Most house buyers prefer to make the closing conditional on the results of the home inspection, which means they may back out of the deal if the inspector finds something they don't like and the seller refuses to fix it or reduce the purchase price to compensate. As a seller, you'll want the house inspection to go as smoothly as possible, with as few serious concerns as feasible.

But first, let's go through what a house inspector performs. During the examination, the roof, walls, foundation, plumbing system, electrical system, and HVAC system are all evaluated from top to bottom. Inspectors will also look for leaks, mold, mildew, and other indicators of water damage, as well as the working capabilities of installed equipment like trash disposals and carbon monoxide alarms.

It's natural for a seller to be apprehensive throughout the house inspection process. You don't want the contract to fall through, and you certainly don't want to be saddled with the cost and stress of repairs if your buyer demands them as a condition.