A clean and prepared living room ready for a home inspection.

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection (Santa Barbara Checklist)

A few simple steps can ensure your inspector provides a complete, accurate report—and helps keep your escrow on track.

Published: September 27, 2025 | Last Updated: September 27, 2025

Why Preparation Matters in Santa Barbara

In Santa Barbara's fast-moving real estate market, a smooth escrow home inspection is crucial. A prepared property allows your inspector to work efficiently and evaluate every critical system without limitation. Proper preparation prevents delays, avoids the need for costly re-inspections, and ensures you get the comprehensive report you need to make confident decisions.

The Inspector's Preparation Checklist

Follow these steps to ensure your property is ready on inspection day:

Confirm All Utilities Are On: Ensure water, electricity, and gas services are active. An inspector cannot test plumbing, HVAC, or appliances without them. Make sure all pilot lights are lit.
Provide Clear Access: The inspector needs at least three feet of clearance around key components. Clear boxes, furniture, and other items from around the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, attic hatch, and crawlspace entrance.
Unlock Everything: All doors, gates, sheds, garages, and electrical panel covers must be accessible. Please provide any necessary keys or lockbox codes in advance.
Secure Your Pets: For the safety of your pets and our inspector, please arrange to have them crated, secured in a yard, or off-site during the inspection.
Clear Under-Sink Areas: Remove cleaning supplies and other items from under the kitchen and bathroom sinks so the inspector can get a clear view of the plumbing to check for leaks.
Provide Relevant Documents: If you've had major work done recently (e.g., new roof, HVAC system, sewer line repairs), leaving out invoices or warranties for the inspector to review can provide valuable context.

What Happens if a Home Isn't Ready?

When an inspector can't access a key area or test a major system, it creates limitations in the report. This means you have an incomplete picture of the property's condition.

Inaccessible Areas

A locked room, a blocked attic hatch, or a cluttered garage will be documented as a "limitation of inspection." The inspector cannot report on what they cannot see, leaving you with potential unknowns and risks.

Re-Inspection Fees & Delays

If major systems cannot be tested because utilities are off, a second visit is often required. This can lead to re-inspection fees and, more importantly, delays in your escrow timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from sellers and agents about preparing a property for a smooth inspection.

What happens if an area is inaccessible?

If an inspector cannot access an area like an attic or crawlspace due to stored items or locked doors, it will be noted in the report as an inspection "limitation." This means it could not be evaluated, creating a blind spot in the property assessment. This often requires a re-inspection, which can cause delays and additional fees.

Should the seller or agent be present for the inspection?

It's not necessary for the seller or their agent to be present for the entire inspection. However, it is helpful to be available by phone to answer any questions about access. The inspection is performed for the buyer, who is typically invited to attend a walkthrough at the end.

Do I need to deep clean the house?

No, a deep cleaning is not required. The main priority is decluttering to provide clear and safe access to all key systems and areas. A tidy property allows the inspector to work more efficiently and thoroughly.

What if the utilities are off?

Without active utilities (water, gas, electricity), the inspector cannot test the HVAC system, plumbing fixtures, water heater, or most kitchen appliances. These crucial systems will be marked as "not tested," resulting in an incomplete inspection and likely requiring a re-visit.

How long does a typical inspection take?

For a standard single-family home (up to 2,000 sq ft), the on-site inspection usually takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours. A well-prepared property with easy access helps ensure the inspection stays on schedule. Larger or older homes may take longer.

Will the inspector move personal belongings?

No. For liability reasons, inspectors cannot move personal items, furniture, or heavy storage boxes. It is the seller's or homeowner's responsibility to ensure all necessary areas are accessible before the inspector arrives.