There's no doubt that moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. Use these helpful tips and advice to help your home (and you!) be prepared so that your move goes smoothly.

Passing a Home Inspection

If you are thinking about selling your home, you may want to start thinking about your home inspection. As most inspections thoroughly check the home's infrastructure, foundation and roof, most real estate experts recommend that you look for problems before putting your home on the market. Though older homes might have more concerns, homes of all ages and types should be given a checkup by homeowners prior to entering the market.

Here are a few things you can do pro-actively.

• Schedule a heating/cooling service before inspection
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon alarms
• Find out if an underground oil tank or well water inspection will be required
• Check the water pressure by running multiple faucets and flushing toilets at once
• If you’ve experienced drainage problems in the past, check the septic system
• If you live in an older home, you may want to have Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) outlets installed to ensure you pass electrical inspection
• Replace bad shingles, if any, on your roof
• Make sure the base of your chimney is water tight, mortar is in good condition and chimney is clear
• Clear your gutters so rainwater flows without spilling over the sides and point downspouts away from the house
• If you have mold anywhere kill the fungus and fix the cause of the problem
• Check the basement walls and floors for signs of damage.

Don’t be discouraged if the inspector finds a few flaws; very few homes are perfect and inspectors are trained to take note of every possible concern. However, if you take care of the most important repair concerns before you try to sell, you’ll have a better chance of passing your home inspection.