Here are some easy ways to make your home inspection go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing.

1. Make sure the inspector has access - not only to the house but also furnaces, water heaters and air conditioning units (especially in closets, attics and crawl spaces). Clearing away household belongings is helpful. An orderly house shows better and allows an inspector to do their job with minimal interuptions and delays.

2. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service, panels, water heaters, etc.

3. Check to see the garage is accessible and that water heaters, furnaces, utility panels or shutoffs and resets for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) within are accessible.

4. Unlock areas the inspector must access - attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces. Clearing away personal belongings from crawlspace entrances is easier done by the homeowner than an inspector.

5. Ensure all utility services are on, with gas pilot lights burning. If specific utilites are not on or have issues, please leave a note for the inspector. Water mains, electrical services and gas mains that are off do not allow us to the job we need to and usually lead to additional effort by the seller to prove their functionally.

6. Be sure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home. Tell the inspector about ALL pets in the home - we are tolerant of most pets but every one is unique and our safety is of our utmost importance. We do not chase pets down the street or want to work 'around' them but we do note damage they cause to the house.

7. Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "light did not operate" report that may suggest an electrical problem.

8. Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as conditions conducive to wood-destroying insects.

9. Trim tree limbs to 10 feet from the roof and shrubs 1 foot from the house to allow access.

10. Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; or gutters, downspouts and chimney caps. And DOOR STOPPERS - this is the biggest item that identifies a house as not optimally maintained.