Home inspection is one of the most important aspects of the home buying process for both the buyer (helping them understand the condition of the house they're considering purchasing) and the seller, who wants to provide adequate disclosure regarding the home they're selling. The inspection report written up by the home inspector after the inspection is the only document that details the house, making it an important aspect of the real estate transaction process. A home inspection typically includes an examination of the heating and central air conditioning systems, electrical systems, interior plumbing, the roof and foundations, attic and basements, visible insulation, walls and ceilings, floors and windows. Some inspections may also include major appliances and outdoor plumbing. The typical cost of an inspection varies depending on the area, size of the home, and services the inspector is providing. 

If you're selling your home, it's good idea to have an inspection done before you put your home on the market. This will help you avoid any surprises when potential buyers hire a home inspector. After the report from the home inspection, you may choose to have the recommended repairs taken care of by the contractor of your choice, or you may choose to disclose the conditions you are not going to repair, which will protect you from liability of nondisclosure claims.

If you're buying a home, be present for the full home inspection. The inspector will be able to answer any questions you may have about maintenance of the house and will be able to discuss any potential problems.  If the inspector finds any major problems, you'll need to negotiate with the seller to either lower the price of the home or have the seller repair the problem. If the seller is not willing to renegotiate, the buyer will then have the opportunity to rescind their offer.

Making small improvements to your home can really add up... it doesn't take a massive renovation project to help improve the value of your home. Simply improving aspects of your house can really make a difference.  It is a good idea to start with your house's exterior. This means getting rid of all the toys your kids haven't played with in months, the remnants of your various home improvement projects, and anything else that is just cluttering up your yard. Trim the hedges, keep the lawn mowed, and give all your flower beds a fresh layer of mulch. A polished landscape, even if it's simple, will instantly  improve your house's curb appeal, and the value of your home. To shine up the exterior of your house even more, get it pressure washed. This is much cheaper than getting your home repainted or the siding replaced, and in many cases this is all it will take to get your home's exterior looking as good as new.

When considering ways to improve the value of your home, think about your last visit to a hotel. If you were happy about the quality of your room, was it because it looked clean and polished? If you weren't happy with your room, was it because you felt like the bathroom could have been a little cleaner, the carpet could have seemed a little newer, the paint on the walls could have been a little fresher? While you're in that mindset, try and see your house in the same light, armed with the knowledge that the cleaner your house looks and smells, the more valuable it will be. Start by organizing your house and relegating clutter to the trash or some out-of-sight storage. The tidier your house is, the larger it will appear, so declutter as much as possible. Apply a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls and wash your windows so you can't even tell they're there.

Finally, remember that improving the value of your home is all in the details, but it shouldn't have to break the bank. Shampooing or cleaning your carpets will make your house look and smell cleaner immediately, and doing this yourself will save you big bucks. You'd be surprised by how much better newly cleaned carpets can look! If you think the carpet needs to be replaced, first try to pull back a bit of the carpet in a closet or other inconspicuous place in your home and check out the floor beneath. If it's wood flooring, think about removing all of the carpet and refinishing the floor. Wood floor adds personality and value to your home, and wood floor that's lying under your aged carpet can often be refinished more inexpensively than re-carpeting your house. In the same way, worn or outdated cabinets can really bring down a kitchen, so consider refinishing them with a lighter finish, especially in dark or smaller kitchens, as this will give your kitchen the illusion of looking large and new.

Your first night in your new house is an exciting time, but it can be a little overwhelming. Standing in the middle of your new home and looking at the stacks of boxes can tempt you to stay up all night unpacking them until morning, but avoid it. Instead, gather your family, make some pallets on the floor using mattresses and sleeping bags, and enjoy your first night in your new house together. Order some pizza (have fun saying your new address for the first time!), eat on napkins, and use plastic cups, treating it like an in impromptu picnic/campout. You may even invite some friends over, crack open a bottle of wine, and let them share in your pride and excitement.

Talking about what changes you're going to make to your new house is a fun activity for your first night in your new house. If you have children, ask them what colors they'd like to paint their rooms, what direction they'd like their bed to face, and any other aspects of their room they might like to change. Children love having this kind of creative freedom. If unpacking is just a little too tempting, make a game plan to give yourself peace of mind. Write a checklist and plan of action of what rooms you will unpack first and what furniture you'd like to move where. Moving can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and you want to spend your first night in your new house soaking it all in... you'll have plenty of time to unpack later.