How to Pass a Home Inspection Before Selling Your Home

Written By Drew Witt

The results of a home inspection will directly affect the price buyers will offer you for your home. If buyers see a long list of needed repairs, they'll offer less, often far less, than your asking price.

So what can you possibly do to get your home ready to pass an inspection? No worries! Our expert tips and comprehensive checklist will guide you seamlessly through each step so you'll have a smooth and successful sale.

Over the years, Singletrack Painting has prepared many Colorado homes for the inspection process. We know what's necessary to enhance your home so it meets and exceeds home inspection standards. From expert prep and repairs to exterior, interior, and cabinet painting, our services will help you pass your home inspection with ease. Let's get started!

Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers

Selling a home is a lot of work. As the work piles up, it can feel stressful and nerve-wracking. Use this seller's home inspection checklist to eliminate some of that selling/moving stress. 

This guide outlines how to pass a house inspection with flying colors. We detail what an inspector looks for and what you can do to prepare your home for a smooth inspection. 

Exterior and Structural Integrity

  • What's Inspected: The inspector will thoroughly assess the structural integrity of your home, from the foundation, walls, and exterior doors and windows, all the way up to the roof. Inspectors particularly pay a lot of attention to a roof. Inspectors also look for things like cracks; leaks; fading, peeling, and failing paint. 

  • What You Can Do: Address any obvious problems and get them repaired before inspection. Save time by hiring a professional painter to efficiently repair cracks, prep, and apply a quality finish.

Interior Conditions and Paint

  • What's Inspected: The interior integrity of your home is important too. The overall condition of your walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, cabinetry, and paint will be inspected. 

  • What You Can Do: One of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home's interior condition is with a fresh coat of paint. Clean, neutral colors are most appealing to today's home buyers. Singletrack Painting is happy to guide you on buyer-friendly neutral paint colors. Check out our interior painting services for a flawless, inspection-ready finish!

Plumbing and Electrical Functionality

  • What's Inspected: It's easy to let a little leaky faucet slide but the inspector will red flag any faulty plumbing or electrical systems. 

  • What You Can Do: Go room to room and do your own mini-inspection, making sure all outlets and switches work. Check that there are no under-sink or toilet leaks. Outside hose bibs are notorious sites for leaking so be sure to review exterior plumbing and electrical as well. 

HVAC System and Ventilation

  • What's Inspected: With hotter summers and more frigid winters, buyers want confidence that they can live comfortably inside their new home. The inspector will run your HVAC and ventilation systems to ensure they're in operational condition. 

  • What You Can Do: Clean or replace filters, and ensure thermostats are responding properly. Call for professional servicing if necessary to ensure HVAC and ventilation systems are working efficiently and effectively.

Roof and Attic Conditions

  • What's Inspected: Your roof provides major protection for your home. Inspectors pay close attention to the condition of a roof – not only because it provides structural integrity and protection for your home, but because it would be expensive for new buyers to repair or replace. 

  • What You Can Do: Check your roof and attic for leaks, damage, and missing shingles. Insulation directly affects utility bills and interior comfort of your home. Look for signs of wear and make sure the insulation is adequate and properly positioned.

Windows and Doors

  • What's Inspected: From exterior and interior aesthetics to security and energy efficiency, windows and doors serve many purposes in a home. The inspector will check to ensure doors and windows are keeping out the weather.

  • What You Can Do: Ensure doors and windows open, close, and lock properly. Check for drafts around and under doors and all around windows. Look for dried-out exterior caulking and replace if necessary.

 

Expert Painters Just a Click Away – Get a Quote from Singletrack Painting Today!

 

Flooring Condition

  • What's Inspected: Splintered or faded hardwood floors; stained and worn carpeting; outdated, cracked tiles – the condition of your flooring will be noted by the inspector. 

  • What You Can Do: Get hardwood floors refinished, and replace stained or damaged carpeting. Consider replacing the damaged tile.

Pest and Insect Inspection

  • What's Inspected: Any obvious termite, ant, roach, rodent, or small mammal infestation or damage will be noted. Wooden beams and siding, door and window frames, porches, decks, fascia, and soffits are obvious pest sanctuaries. 

  • What You Can Do: Ensure your home and property are pest-free in order to pass your home inspection. Meet with a pest control pro so that any pest issues can be identified and addressed before the inspection.

Mold and Moisture Control

  • What's Inspected: Many homes are plagued with mold and moisture issues, especially on the exterior. The north side of a property, around foundations, and where landscaping brushes up against exterior walls are common problem areas that the inspector will explore.

  • What You Can Do: You'll need to address any mold or moisture problems before your home is inspected. 

    • Painting over mold is not a solution to eliminating mold so don't try to cover up mold with paint. Mold must be eliminated before painting.

    • First, identify the source of the mold and eliminate it before you paint. Singletrack Painting is familiar with mold issues in Colorado. Once the cause is identified, Singletrack can expertly repair, prep, and paint so your home passes inspection with flying colors.

Landscaping and Outdoor Areas

  • What's Inspected: The condition of all outdoor areas such as landscaping, sheds, fences, the driveway, and walkways, will be reviewed. Well-maintained outdoor spaces are critical to your home's curb appeal and will leave a positive impression as the inspector approaches your home.  

  • What You Can Do: You may need to patch driveway and walkway cracks. Keep your lawn mowed, shrubbery trimmed, flower beds cleaned up, and the driveway and walkways clear. Singletrack's exterior painting services can enhance your outdoor structures. A fresh coat of paint on sheds and outbuildings, fences, and decks will give your home a polished look.

Partner with Singletrack Painting for a Smooth Inspection Process

Now you know how to pass a house inspection! By following our home inspection tips for sellers, your home will pass inspection smoothly and you'll eliminate a lot of worry. Mortgage lenders will see that your home has value, and you won't risk losing a sale due to poor home maintenance. 

But it can feel overwhelming trying to complete all the repairs on your own. This is where Singletrack Painting's comprehensive services will help. We can manage critical pre-inspection issues – from minor repairs and paint color consultation – to flawless exterior and interior painting. If you need help getting your home ready for inspection, call Singletrack Painting today!

 

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Drew Witt

Drew was raised in a family of construction professionals who owned a civil engineering firm. He studied business at Clemson University and ventured into the painting industry while pursuing his graduate degree in North Carolina. In 2011, Drew relocated to Denver to assist in establishing a church in the RiNo neighborhood while simultaneously launching a painting business. His areas of expertise encompass project management, estimating, leadership, and overall company vision.

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