A Seller's Checklist: How to Prepare for Inspection Day

A surprising share of what slows down or complicates a buyer's inspection has nothing to do with the actual condition of the home — it's access. Here's a practical checklist to run through before the inspector shows up.

Utilities & Access

• All utilities on — power, water, and gas. An inspector can't test a furnace, water heater, or HVAC system if the gas is shut off, and that becomes a "unable to verify" note on the report instead of a clean pass.
• Pilot lights lit on any gas appliances that use one.
• Clear access to the attic hatch, electrical panel, water heater, and garage. Storage boxes stacked in front of the panel is one of the most common access complaints from inspectors.
• Pets secured — somewhere they won't be startled by a stranger walking the property for a few hours, and won't slow the inspector down.
• Lockbox code or access contact confirmed with your agent ahead of time.

Easy Wins Before the Inspector Arrives

• Replace burnt-out light bulbs — an inspector testing a fixture that doesn't light up can't always tell if it's the bulb or the fixture, and it becomes a noted item either way.
• Change the HVAC filter if it's visibly overdue — a cheap fix that avoids an easily-preventable Monitor note.
• Test your own smoke and CO detectors and replace batteries — a common, low-cost flagged item.
• Clear vegetation away from the foundation and make sure grading/drainage paths are visible, not hidden under overgrowth.
• Fix obviously loose items — a wobbly handrail, a door that doesn't latch — anything you already know about and could resolve in an afternoon.

Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection

If you want to go a step further, ordering your own inspection before listing lets you address real findings on your own schedule, rather than reacting to a buyer's report during a tight contingency window.