Sellers can pave the way for a smooth home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go quicker, with fewer concerns to delay closing. Not selling – you can’t go wrong performing regular home maintenance. Dedicating just an hour a week to your most valuable possession can pay big dividends.

• Check that water, electric and gas services are on and that gas pilots are lit. Ensure that pets won’t hinder the inspection. Ideally take them from the premises during the time of inspection. Tell your agent if Fido, Cuddles and Bobo are under the bed!

• Replace burned out light bulb - if you don’t the buyer is likely to see a “light did not respond” comment on the inspection form with the suggestion that there might be an electrical problem.

• Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and replace batteries where indicated.

• Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should be the correct size and fit securely

• Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundations. These could  result in a “conducive conditions” for termites notation on the report.

• Remove items blocking access to HVAC, electrical service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.

• Unlock areas the inspector must access –attic doors or hatches, electrical service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.

• Trim tree limbs and shrubs away from roof and structure

• Attend to broken and missing items like doorknobs, locks, latches, window screens, gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.