5 Best Ways to Prepare Your Home for a House Inspection in Anchorage, Alaska
If you’re preparing to sell your home in Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, or the surrounding areas, one of the most important steps is your home inspection. After 25 years of inspecting homes across Alaska, I’ve learned that the best inspections happen when homeowners take a few simple steps beforehand. A little preparation reduces stress, builds confidence with buyers, and helps your home show its best.
Here are the five most effective things you can do to get your house ready for a home inspection — along with practical tips to help you tackle each item.
1. Make Key Areas Accessible
If I can’t get to something, I can’t inspect it — and that creates questions for buyers. Make sure I can easily access:
Attic hatch
Crawlspace entry
Electrical panel
Furnace / boiler / water heater
Under-sink plumbing
Exterior foundation and siding
Main water shutoff and gas shutoff
Quick tip: Clear 3 feet of space in front of mechanical units and panel boxes. If the attic or crawlspace access is in a closet, move clothes and storage bins so I can safely place a ladder.
In winter, shovel a path to all exterior doors and utility locations. Snow and ice are common reasons inspectors have to mark areas as “not accessible.”
2. Handle Simple Maintenance Items
No one expects perfection, but basic maintenance shows buyers that the home has been cared for and can prevent minor issues from stacking up in the report.
Change furnace / HRV filters
Replace burned-out light bulbs
Test smoke and CO detectors
Fix slow drains
Tighten loose door handles
Quick tip: If a light doesn’t turn on, I have to mark the fixture as “inoperable.” Replacing bulbs before inspection can prevent unnecessary concerns about wiring or electrical issues.
3. Reduce Clutter in Key Areas
A clean home isn’t required, but clutter can hide important components and prevent me from doing a thorough inspection.
Make sure I can see:
Baseboards and exterior walls
Under windows and around doors
Garage mechanicals and electrical outlets
Sink drain and supply lines
Quick tip: Move furniture a few inches away from walls where possible. This helps me check for moisture staining, settlement cracks, and heat source access.
4. Provide Helpful Information About the Home
A little documentation goes a long way. Buyers love transparency, and inspectors appreciate context.
Consider gathering:
Manuals for appliances and heating equipment
Dates of furnace, water heater, roofing, electrical panel, or window replacements
Contractor receipts if available
A simple, handwritten “house information sheet” is perfect. Include notes like:
Roof replaced in 2019
Furnace serviced in 2023
CO detectors updated in 2024
Deck surfaces not visible in winter
Quick tip: If something doesn’t work and you don’t intend to repair it (old hot tub, broken gas fireplace, abandoned shed outlet), list it. This prevents misunderstandings and protects sellers later in the negotiation process.
5. Prepare the Home for Inspection Day
Think of inspection day as setting the stage for a buyer and inspector to understand the home clearly and safely.
Be sure to:
Unlock attic, garage, shed, and panel doors
Keep power, heat, and water ON
Secure pets
Provide keys, gate codes, or instructions if needed
For vacant homes, confirm utilities are turned on one day ahead of inspection — especially gas or oil heat in Alaska winters.
Quick tip: If utilities are off, the inspection may need to be rescheduled, which can delay closing deadlines.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a home inspection doesn’t require major renovations — just thoughtful access, basic maintenance, and a little organization. As a longtime Anchorage home inspector, my goal is always transparency, safety, and clarity for both buyer and seller.
If you have questions before your inspection, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to give guidance so your inspection day goes smoothly.