Congratulations! You’ve accepted an offer on your house, and you’ve made it through the attorney review period. You are “under contract.”

Now comes the scary part . . . the home inspection.

It doesn’t have to be scary. Pillar to Post Home Inspectors offer a few basic tips that can get your home ready for the home inspection:

Disclosure.
Your Seller’s Disclosure should include any known issues, such as water damage. You should also have available any municipal permits for major renovations.

Exterior: Routine Maintenance.
Repair any damage to masonry on steps and walkways. Seal cracks in the driveway. Recaulk around windows and doors, and replace any missing or damaged shingles.

Interior: Do the Minor Fixes.
Repair leaky faucets and fixtures, reacaulk around tubs and sinks. Have an electrician inspect receptacles and switches, and make any necessary repairs. Replace any cracked window glass, and make sure no windows are painted shut.
If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleand and checked by a professional. Have your heating and air conditioning systems checked beforehand.
If you have battery-operated smoke/CO detectors, replace the batteries.

On the Day of the Inspection: Make your Home Accessible.
Usually the seller is not present for the home inspection, but your agent should be there for any questions that may arise. Make sure all areas of your home are accessible — provide keys to locked areas. If you have pets, make sure they are out of the house or crated that day. For peace of mind, put away in a safe place any valuables.

These are all relatively simple steps that can make a big difference in the home inspection.