Home inspectors are paid to find problems. Here are the three areas they focus on most and how Twin Cities sellers can get ahead of the report before listing.

If you've never been through a home inspection as a seller, the first thing to know is that inspectors are paid to find problems. That's their job. The report that comes back is usually thorough, sometimes surprisingly so, with pages of suggestions, deferred maintenance items, and issues that might not have been on your radar at all. It can feel overwhelming, but most of what ends up in that report falls into three main categories.

1. Structure. They're looking at the roof, siding, foundation, and windows. What they're trying to determine is how well the property has been maintained and whether there are any issues that could lead to structural damage down the road. A roof that's nearing the end of its life, a crack in the foundation, siding that's letting moisture in, these are the kinds of findings that get the most attention in a report because they affect the long-term integrity of the home. For sellers in the Twin Cities, where weather puts a lot of stress on exteriors, this is often where the biggest flags show up.

“Inspectors are paid to find problems. The best thing you can do is find them first.”

2. Mechanicals. This covers your HVAC system, furnace, boiler, air conditioning, and hot water heater. Inspectors want to know how old these systems are, whether they're functioning properly, and if there are any signs of failure. A furnace that's 15 years old isn't necessarily a problem, but an inspector will note it, and a buyer will ask about it. Knowing the age and condition of your mechanicals before the inspection gives you a chance to address concerns or at least set expectations, so a buyer doesn't use the report as a negotiation tool.

3. Plumbing and electrical. Inspectors are checking for leaks, water damage, outdated wiring, and anything that could pose a safety concern. An older home in the Twin Cities might have knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized pipes that are going to get flagged. These aren't always dealbreakers, but they're the kinds of findings that slow a transaction down when they show up as a surprise.

If you're thinking about selling, the best thing you can do is get ahead of the inspection. Give us a call at (651) 998-9829, email us at info@holzgroup.com, or visit holzlifestylehomes.com. We’d love to walk through your home with the mindset of an inspector and help you identify what's likely to come up before you even list.