Totally agree inspectors care way more about functionality than aesthetics, but I wonder if that's always true? When we had ours come through, he didn't even glance at the peeling wallpaper—went straight for the plumbing and electrical stuff like you said. But then again, I've heard from neighbors in older homes (mine's from 1910) that sometimes they do pay attention to cosmetic issues if they hint at deeper problems. Like, cracks in plaster can mean foundation shifts, right? Or maybe peeling paint could signal moisture issues?
I guess what I'm saying is, maybe it depends on the inspector or even the age of the home? Either way, coffee brewing and windows open sounds like a solid game plan...but now you've got me wondering if inspectors have a standard checklist or if they're just winging it based on experience. Hmm.
Had a similar experience flipping an older place (1920s bungalow). Inspector barely glanced at the outdated kitchen cabinets or ugly linoleum but zeroed in on a hairline crack near the ceiling. Turned out it was nothing serious, just old plaster settling, but he explained inspectors often look for cosmetic stuff that hints at structural or moisture issues. Seems like they have a mental checklist from experience rather than a rigid one...so yeah, coffee brewing and fresh air definitely can't hurt your chances.
Totally agree about inspectors having their own mental checklist. When we had ours come through, I spent hours scrubbing the kitchen tiles and trying to hide the fact that our cabinets were basically held together by duct tape and prayers. But guess what he noticed instead? A tiny water stain in the corner of the living room ceiling. Turned out it was from an old leak we'd fixed years ago, but he spent a solid 15 minutes poking around up there.
Honestly, if your kitchen's still a disaster, just clear the counters, stash clutter in boxes temporarily, and wipe down surfaces quickly—inspectors aren't usually grading your housekeeping skills. They're more interested in signs of leaks, cracks, or electrical issues. And yeah, brewing coffee or baking cookies can't hurt either... at least it'll distract them from noticing your DIY cabinet repairs.
Yeah, inspectors definitely have their own radar for spotting random stuff. Last time ours came through, I spent forever trying to hide the chipped paint on the cabinets and the worn-out countertop edges. But nope, he zeroed right in on a loose outlet cover behind the fridge—something I'd completely forgotten about. Go figure.
Honestly though, quick decluttering and wiping down surfaces usually does the trick. They're not there to judge your decor or housekeeping skills, just safety and structural stuff. But speaking of distractions like coffee or cookies... anyone ever tried scented candles or air fresheners? Wonder if inspectors notice or if that's just wishful thinking on my part...
Honestly, inspectors probably see (and smell) it all, so candles or air fresheners might not make much difference. But hey, if it helps you feel calmer and more prepared, why not? You're right though—it's usually the small safety stuff they zero in on. Don't stress too much about the countertops or cabinets; they're looking for hazards, not HGTV perfection. You've got this!
