Free Seller Checklist

Home inspection prep — 7 steps

A practical pre-inspection checklist to prevent most surprises — and keep your Central Iowa sale on track.

The buyer's home inspection is often the most stressful part of selling — but most deal-derailing surprises are preventable with about an hour of prep. This is straight from what we use with Flanders Team listing clients. Tick the boxes below the day before your inspection, then leave a note for the inspector. It saves time, builds buyer confidence, and reduces unnecessary repair requests.

Maintenance Checklist (Day Before)
Clear access to attic & crawlspace doorsCover anything below the attic hatch you don't want insulation on.
Provide access to electrical panelsMove stored items, laundry, or shelving blocking the panel doors.
Trip & reset GFCI outletsKitchen, bathrooms, exterior, garage — confirm they all reset.
Change the furnace filterA dirty filter is the easiest flag an inspector will note.
Run every drainConfirm sinks and tubs drain properly; check flanges.
Clear 3 ft around furnace & water heaterInspectors need clearance to assess.
Check smoke-alarm batteriesReplace any that chirp or are over a year old.
Confirm pilot lights & breakers are onIncluding gas fireplaces if applicable.
Information to Provide

Inspectors flag what they can't explain. Answer these proactively, in writing, before they ask:

Water stains or drywall patching?

Note why — e.g., "Living-room ceiling patch from a 2022 ice dam, repaired professionally, no leak since." Stains without context create suspicion.

Do all appliances run?

If something shouldn't be tested (a stored second fridge, a quirky garage opener), list it so the inspector knows.

Where's crawlspace & attic access?

Mark it clearly — inspectors can refuse access if it's blocked or unsafe.

Any disclosed defects under contract?

Re-state them on the form so they're not logged as a "new" finding.

What Inspectors Look For

A typical Central Iowa inspection runs $400–$550, with radon and sewer scope often $100–$150 each. They cover:

After the Inspection
Buyers typically have 3 business days (DMAAR) or 72 hours (CIBR) to respond after receiving the report. They may accept it (contingency satisfied), request repairs or credits (we evaluate together and respond strategically — you're not obligated to fix everything), or terminate (rare with good prep; earnest money usually refunds per contract). Our job is to keep this step steady, not stressful.
Inspection FAQ
Do I have to be there?

Usually better not to be. Buyers and their agent often attend; sellers being present can feel awkward and slow the inspector down.

How long does it take?

Plan on 2–4 hours by size and condition, plus 1–2 more if radon and sewer scope are included.

Can I refuse a repair request?

Yes. The buyer can accept your refusal and move forward, re-negotiate, or terminate per contract. We'll help you read it and respond confidently.

Biggest mistake sellers make?

Leaving easy stuff undone — a chirping alarm, a stuck window, a tripped GFCI — which signals "not maintained." Small fixes prevent big assumptions.

Thinking about selling?

2–6 months out? A no-pressure walkthrough now flags the items worth handling before they become a buyer's repair request.

Schedule a pre-listing walkthrough Get my home value