What is your opinion on the agent attending the home inspection and walking through with the Buyer and inspector?

Status: Open
Aug 25, 2015 Answer a Question

About 1 year ago
I attend the last 30 minutes of the inspection with my buyer/clients to get a summary from the inspector. I believe they appreciate the interest/time I take. In my opinion the "extra time " spent, makes for a happy client and perhaps other referrals.
About 5 years ago
It's best to set expectations with your clients, whether you are representing the buyer or the seller, that you will not be attending any portion of the home inspection. Unless the inspector's Supra key fails and you would be needed to unlock the Supra. Often clients will express a desire for the Realtor to be there. A Realtor should assure their client that once you receive the inspection report you will know what to do; and also, if there are any questions about items on the report the inspector can be contacted to provide clarification. Today the majority of inspections reports include a plethora of photos and written details about the findings. There's no need to attend the inspection.
About 6 years ago
I would recommend not the attend from beginning of the inspection as this will distract inspector doing his job. It would be better to attend at the end of an inspection. So Inspector can give the brief information about the inspection and point the main issues at the property.
About 6 years ago
I normally have a meeting with the inspector after the inspection. I do not want to bother them while they are doing their job. Otherwise, the report is going to let me know what is going on with the house, if something has to be repair, or not. Normally I recommended a very good inspectors to my buyers, with a lot of experience and really good reviews .
About 6 years ago
This is one question that comes up a lot. I used to go to every inspection for years when I was an active agent. A few years back legal experts advised against it and I fought the idea for a few more years...thinking it was my obligation to be there. Now that I have agents working under me it is an office policy that they cannot attend, they can go and open the door for the inspector if needed but to be there or to make comments on the report is not allowed. The relationship between the inspector and the buyer has nothing to do with the relationship between the buyer and the Realtor...no matter how we feel we need to be a part of it. Now, I will council agents/buyers to be aware of what should be consider...safety risk or items that could cost a lot to replace or repair...elec, roof, AC/heat etc. items of less value that the buyer could do themselves, well that might be left off the list so the seller can concentrate on the more important items. From the agent/Broker stand point it is all about limiting exposure to law suits when it comes to attending the inspection. We have been "not attending" for the past 6 years and has worked out great so far.
About 6 years ago
Agents should not attend home inspections. This is almost like a parent who does their child's homework for them. Let the inspector do his job. If often takes an inspector up to 3 hours to complete an home inspection and it the agent is present they more than likely will not stay quiet. Distracting an inspector could cause them to miss an important item. They have a lot of things to check that most agents have no idea about. Other than influencing an inspector, I see no value in the agent being present. I do recommend that the buyer meet the inspector at the end so the inspector can review the report with the client and explain what will be in the report. This usually helps the buyer in determining what items are most important in the report. The buyer must play an active role in this. If the agent picks and chooses what they think are the most important items to ask be repaired without the buyer's input, this could cause issues after the sale. Agents should be very careful not to micromanage every single aspect of the process and allow buyers to sit back and let things happen. Many buyers do not know their role in the process. It is our jobs to guide them. Not to it all for them. Don't do all of the buyer's homework. You can go over it with them and help them understand it better. But don't do it for them.
About 7 years ago
I have been a realtor for 19 years and ALWAYS meet the inspector and buyer at the end of the inspection to hear the findings and get a good look at exactly what he is talking about. I have probably saved 50 transactions by being there and asking questions of the inspector that the buyer would not have thought to ask.. Sometimes buyers think something is a major problem when it may be a $100 fix, or I may be able to suggest another inspection on a particular item by a licensed professional in that field and make that call right then and there. Buyers feel more comfortable with the process if I am involved in every aspect and know what to do and who to call when more information is needed. Being hands on has also helped me when I am on listing appointments and I know so much about the inspection process that I can walk the house and point out several items they need to repair in advance of putting it on the market. Realtors are not inspectors, but we can be very helpful to both buyers and sellers by knowing when something could be a problem.
About 7 years ago
Definitelly no, you need to choose your inspector well, so that he has experience. Ask him to show you previous reports he has done.
Once you get your report, your agent can help you interpret the report and send some more specialists (Foundation, Roof, AC, etc.) If some issues are identified by the inspector who are generalists.
Most realtors does not have a construction background, I happen to have such background but still being in the way of the inspector does not really help.
About 7 years ago
If the agent can remain neutral through out the process. However, the scenario will usually create liability for themselves or the broker.
About 8 years ago
I think it's great to do at the end of the inspection to wrap up & be present when receiving the report if your inspector gives their reports on site, but I don't recommend hovering the entirety of the inpsection. I once had an inspector stop his inspection about 30 mins into the inspection because he thought he found a foundation issue - after having a foundation inpsection w/ a structural engineer we found there was nothing wrong with the inspection & were scrambling to get the rest of the inpsection done before the end of the OP.
About 8 years ago
If my client ask me to go, i will go for the end when you get a resume of the inspection and the clients get to ask all there concerns. so we can all be on the same page. But if they don't ask don't go.
About 8 years ago
I don't find it a bad thing but..., I usually like to let the inspection do his job, then meet with the buyer and inspector after the inspection to address any major concerns. Good inspectors will be thorough and help you understand any concerns.
Once the inspection is preformed, your inspector will send you over a copy of the inspection, which you can share with your Realtor. A really good inspector will be available to answer questions that may arise.
About 8 years ago
I think some of it comes down to time, proximity and value. Since most home inspections can take 2-3 hours, most agents do not have the luxury of time to spend at the inspections. If clarification is needed on an item I will usually defer my buyers to contact the inspector again, and/or I will also call them for clarification. If there is ever a need for further investigation I would enlist the services of a tradesperson in that field. Since I am not an inspector nor contractor, most of my opinions would be just that - opinions so there is no value added for me to attend. I have not felt the need, nor have my clients requested my presence.
About 8 years ago
Great question! I had recently read a "Ask George and Chuck" answer to a question in the Houston Chronicle that advised against it. I am interested in hearing other agents opinions and experience with attending the inspection. A link to the article is below. Leslie Jerez Step By Step Real Estate, LLC
source:
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Ask-George-and-Chuck-Agents-shouldn-t-attend-6377308.php
Disclaimer: Answers provided are just opinions and should not be accepted as advice.
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