SOLD: Now What?

One of the items once your home sells is having a home inspection. I wouldn't wait until the home got sold to run this check list of items to make sure your home is running as smoothly as it can, so we need to back up the horse and cart just a bit.

Besides curb appeal, having a home that functions at its highest is the next best selling feature. So, before you get SOLD, make sure that you have the following checked for a smoother home inspection:

1. Mechanicals: Make sure that the furnace is cleaned and that the filter has been changed. Always, always, clean off the top of the furnace as well as the hot water tank.

2. Electrical Panel: Make sure that the outlets are clearly marked. In Chicago, it is illegal to have a tapped outlet and therefore, make sure that you get an electrician in to check your electrical box to make sure it is up to code.

3. Eyes, Nose: Eyes and Nose stands for the placement of your electrical outlets. You should always have 2 slits and then the hole (nose) and they should always be running the same way around the entire room. One of the biggest giveaways for "handyman" type of work is when the nose is first and then the eyes.

4. Are we grounded? You need GFI's in the kitchen area and the bathroom area. However, you don't need one by the washer and dryer as it will continually click off and the mechanics will stop every time you hit a spin cycle.

5. Electrical openings: always should have a cover. Doesn't matter if it is in the kitchen, the basement, the garage, outside ... you need covers over every outlet and box.

6. Water: How does your water run? The inspector will turn on the bathroom sinks, the bathtub and shower fixture at the same time to see if there is any less pressure and how things are draining. The same goes for in the kitchen area and the catch basin, if you have one, in the basement or laundry facility area.

7. Mold: If you have mold around the base of your tub and tile connections, remove it, clean it, dry it and let it air for about 24 hours before you reapply a good anti-mold silicone around the entire tub area. Do not use caulk as it is an inhibitor of mold.

8. Are we on? Light bulbs. Make sure all the light bulbs are working and/or replace.

9. Peeling paint? Scrap, sand, prime twice and paint.

10. Ceiling fans: Make sure your ceiling fans are secured to the ceiling.

11. Appliances: Your stove will be turned on and one of the biggest issues we face is that delay in lighting or uneven burning.

This is just a sample of what the inspector will be looking for when he is inspector your house once it has been sold. Waiting until the last minute, doesn't work because it does take time to make sure everything is in shape.