So you’ve staged, styled and sold your home to a well qualified buyer and have entered the promised land of escrow. Is it time to relax?

No indeed, as you have just begun the most important time period of the whole sales process: The buyer’s contingency period.

One of the biggest hurdles to cross during escrow is the buyer’s inspection of the property. Buyers customarily have 17 days after acceptance of the contract to conduct investigations of the property and the surrounding area.

It begins with a professional property inspection by an inspector of the buyer’s choosing. Today’s buyer paying top dollar for property expects it will also be in top condition. As a seller, take steps to make sure your home comes out smelling like a rose.

Be proactive by making minor repairs around the home. Repair or replace damaged or missing door knobs, locks and latches, cabinet hinges, broken windows or torn screens, burned out bulbs or faulty switches.

Clean rain gutters and clean or replace HVAC air filters. Fixing leaky toilet fill valves or drippy faucets might not seem important, but it shows both the inspector and the buyer that you’ve taken good care of the property.

Make sure the inspector will have access to all the major systems and areas of the home. Unlock gates, closets, doors, and the electric panel.

Clear under sink cabinet areas for plumbing fixture inspections. After a 2- to 3-hour inspection, no one including the buyer wants to have to return to check inaccessible areas.

Pets in the house should be removed or confined on the day of inspection, and not in a room of the house that the inspector needs to inspect.

Leave any dirty dishes in the dishwasher with detergent ready to go. The inspector will run the dishwasher so why waste energy and water?

Once you have prepared for the inspection, go ahead and plan to be somewhere else during the appointment and give the buyer time alone at the property.

They may have only visited the house for a brief viewing before committing to the biggest financial investment of their life, so allow them time to relax and enjoy what they’ve just bought.

Buyers opt for a home inspection to protect their investment, and to learn more about the property. Make sure what they see reinforces their smart decision to purchase your home.

Adriana Donofrio Podley Properties Glendora (626) 926-9700 adrianad@podley.com