Yeah, inspectors mostly look for obvious hazards or code violations, so a little clutter usually isn't a big deal. But I wonder if it depends on the inspector's personality or even their mood that day? I've had some who barely glanced around, and others who seemed to poke into every corner—even opened cabinets! Anyone else ever notice inspectors having totally different approaches from one visit to the next?
I've definitely noticed that too. One inspector I had was super chill, barely glanced around, and mostly chatted about fishing trips. Next time, a different guy came in and literally opened every single cabinet and closet—he even checked under the sink for leaks. I think personality plays a huge role, but also maybe their workload that day or if they've recently had issues with other properties... who knows. Either way, now I just tidy up enough to avoid giving them reasons to dig deeper.
Had a similar experience recently—one inspector barely stepped foot in the kitchen, just peeked around and nodded. Next time, different guy came through and literally opened every drawer, even commented on my spice rack being "overcrowded" (like, seriously?). Now I just do a quick declutter and wipe-down beforehand. Seems like if they sense you've made an effort, they're less inclined to dig deeper... or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Interesting point about inspectors noticing effort... but do you think it's more about their personality or the actual state of the kitchen? I've noticed similar inconsistencies with inspectors—some barely glance around, others practically do a forensic investigation. Makes me wonder, is there an official checklist they're supposed to follow, or is it mostly up to their discretion?
Also, curious about the spice rack comment—did he actually mark that down as an issue, or was it just a passing remark? Seems odd they'd care about something so minor. From my experience, inspectors usually focus on safety and functionality rather than aesthetics or clutter. Maybe he was just having a picky day?
Either way, your quick declutter and wipe-down approach sounds smart. Probably can't hurt to show you've made an effort, even if it's just psychological...
I've dealt with inspectors quite a bit (historic home owner here, trust me, inspections are practically a hobby at this point...), and honestly, there's definitely an official checklist they're supposed to follow—safety, plumbing, electrical, structural stuff—but beyond that, it's mostly personality-driven. I've had inspectors who barely noticed peeling paint, and others who practically brought out the magnifying glass for dust on the baseboards. It's luck of the draw.
About the spice rack thing: sounds like he was just being nitpicky. Unless your spices are somehow a fire hazard (cayenne pepper spontaneously combusting?), I doubt he'd officially note it down. Probably just making conversation or having one of those days where everything bugs him.
Either way, your declutter-and-wipe-down strategy is solid. Inspectors are human; showing you've made an effort can subtly influence how closely they scrutinize things. A clean-ish kitchen implies you care about upkeep in general, so they're less likely to start poking around looking for trouble. Just my two cents from years of inspection roulette...
