I know the last year has you asking yourself I don’t need to worry buyers are waiving inspections. I guarantee you that is changing and if you do not wish to have a Seller’s pre-inspection than you may wish to check out this list. You can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase your likelihood of obtaining a positive inspection report by performing routine maintenance now before going on the market.
A visual inspection does not pass or fail a house but simply describes those items in need of minor or major repair or replacement. The inspector will visually examine the structure, crawl space, attic, mechanical components and all interior rooms, as well as closets.
On the day of you can help by having keys available to any locked doors, removing obstacles around water heaters and other appliances, removing items from closets that provide access to attics, and so on. Please be ready to indicate the location of hidden components such as the water meter, electrical panel, sump pump and main sewer clean out.
You can eliminate seasonal limitations on the inspection by clearing pathways of snow or debris. Ensure that appliances not tested because of the temperature (such as air conditioners in winter) are operation. Move boxes and storage items away from interior walls and make certain the entire perimeter of the house can be observed. Finally, leave pets with a friend or, take them with you, for the few hours of the inspection.
EXTERIOR COMPONENTS
- Repair minor defects in the exterior wall coverings.
- Repair damaged masonry on walkways and steps.
- Repair missing or loose railings on decks and steps.
- Recaulk around exterior windows and doors.
- Replace missing or damaged shingles
- Recaulk around flashing.
- Clean debris from gutters.
- Ensure downspouts are intact and water drains away from the house.
- Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof.
INTERIOR COMPONENTS
- Loosen any windows that are painted shut.
- Replace missing or faulty hardware on doors and windows.
- Repair any broken or cracked windows.
- Replace damaged baseboard or molding.
- Recaulk around bathtub and kitchen/bathroom sinks.
- Re-grout tub and shower enclosures and the kitchen backsplash.
- Repair leaky faucets and fixtures.
- Unclog slow drains using commercial cleaner.
- Replace oversized fuses with proper fuses.
- Repair faulty receptacles and switches.
- Ensure exhaust fans are in working order.
- Have the fireplace chimney swept.
- Have the furnace or other major appliances serviced.
- Ensure central vacuum, garbage disposal, water softener and other ancillary components not part of the standard inspection are in working order.
- Replace dead batteries in smoke and CO detectors.
- Have service contracts, manuals and warranties available and in a drawer for the inspector/buyer to access.
Prior planning always pays off and makes for a smooth transaction after securing a buyer. Reach out to me for questions on this or if you are considering selling your home.
So as we slide into August enjoy with some great events, ideas, tips, real estate news and its National watermelon day so go enjoy! 
If you do not know how the Real estate market is right now I am going to take a quote
from the MLS “The economics of scarcity are driving prices up at an unsustainable pace,” said Dick Beeson, managing broker 
at RE/MAX Northwest. “What will happen this spring and summer 
will likely be more of the same. 
The real estate vortex we’re in of depleted inventory and high prices is real and unrelenting.” “If interest rates weren’t historically low, buyers would be unable to afford the escalating cost of housing,” suggested Beeson. “We’re feeling nervous about where this market is headed,” he said, adding, “Help is not on the way. Sellers are almost as rare as the dodo bird.” Although he noted the number of new listings
coming onto the market has kept pace or even exceeded last year’s totals in some areas, (Not Snoho county) “new listings are immediately devoured by a plethora of waiting buyers.” The situation has buyers asking, “Am I paying too much?” 
and sellers asking, “Can we ask more?” 
So why am I bothering you with this?
We have 5 home buyers that we have been working to find homes and one family that currently has 7 family members living in the same townhome as they have special needs and we want to find them homes! We were just beat out of an offer that we put in for them. Our offer was 50k over asking and waiving all we could plus they would cover a 25k low appraisal. The offer that got it was $80k over list
If you happen to know of anyone thinking of selling within these parameters can you PLEASE consider having them contact me? 
Believe me I have scoped out everything online, even FSBO, and so I am reaching out.
Local firefighter
Veteran wanting to use his VA loan for the first time. They are approved for up to 500k. They would love a small rambler w/garage and a bit of a yard. Flexible on area. Currently looking in Lake Stevens, Marysville and Arlington. 3-bed, 1.5 bath. Home does need to be in good condition for VA financing but if something is called out and if a little something is needed to push I will do it!
goats so no HOA neighborhood. Underwritten approved to 675k.
3 bed/ 1.5 bath with a garage detached or attached. Like homes with a bit of lot. Looking in Marysville, Granite falls, Arlington area. Underwritten approved to 500k. 
soon as they lost there two older ones in the last year. Underwritten approved to 570k, 3 bed, 2 bath. Like newer modern homes but not the zero lot line ones.
This is not something I would normally do or ask but I want to do the best for my clients and never hurts to try right? 
Jen Murrweiss RE/MAX Elite 