Comments on: Realtors Should Be Attending Home Inspections With Their Clients

By: Bill Gassett

Bill Gassett — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:13:48 +0000

Nice try Robert but the last time I checked a Real Estate agent wouldn’t need to be at or over oversee the things you mentioned as far as negotiating the ultimate sale price of the transaction. Anybody can be sued for anything the moment they walk out their door every morning. Hiding behind that line of thinking is a very poor excuse. You are at the home inspection to listen and nothing more.

How come you didn’t put your website Robert? Don’t want anyone to know what you opinion is about giving stellar service to your client or you just don’t have one?

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:05:08 +0000

Bill,

You forgot to mention that you should attend the meeting with the lender for pre-approval, formal loan application, oversee the title company for the title search, meet with buyers attorney and supervise the move after closing.

The buyers hire a professional to do a job and unless you are a professional in that field, it is not your place to oversee, supervise or advise them. That is of course unless you are looking for a lawsuit.

By: Bill Gassett

Bill Gassett — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:00:39 +0000

Heather that would never happen with any sale I am representing because the fact of the matter is there are two parties in the transaction that deserve representation. Years ago every Real Estate agent represented the seller and frankly that was ridiculous as buyer’s deserved to have someone in their corner. This is no different. I am sure if you were selling a home you would want someone there to listen to what was being said. There is a big difference from listening to interfering with the process.

By: Heather Staas

Heather Staas — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:28:34 +0000

As a buyer, I am uncomfortable having the influence and presence of any agent during the isnpection. I would be grateful to an inspector that asked an agent to give us privacy during the inspection process. I would prefer that the inspector and myself have full comfort in discussing privately each area of the inspection with no outside influence. I am paying for the inspector’s expertise and opinion; I don’t need someone else butting in with questions to ‘temper’ the opinion given. If the listing agent wants to know what defects are in the home, they can pay for thier own inspection before listing the house. I don’t want agents there that might start worrying the sale won’t go through. And I don’t want my inspector worrying that they might not get referals if they come across too strong for the agent’s liking. Too many hands in the pot. As a buyer, I want one-on-one discreet dialogue.

By: Janie Coffey

Janie Coffey — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:10:46 +0000

In our area, the inspectors seem to go hog wild with estimates to repair to CYA themselves to death. If you, as either buyer or seller agent are not there, you are not able to help in the negotiating phase, if it becomes necessary, as you have no defense to either say the estimate is justified, or could be overly stated. I was at one home inspection when the listing agent went in and out (to the gym, to the dry cleaners, etc.) while I stayed and saw everything that came up.

By: Jim Mushisnky

Jim Mushisnky — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:00:03 +0000

Hi Bill,
I feel that the real estate agents should attend the inspection. I also feel the context of their presence is to observe their buyer and the buyer’s reaction to the home inspection.
As many already know, there is a lot of information presented during the home inspection. The buyer may be tired, distracted, overwhelmed, or simply didn’t understand what the home inspector said. I have been impressed by a few real estate agents that pay attention to the buyer’s reaction and interrupt with a simple question like, Does that make sense to you?, Did you know what the inspector means?
The downside are the real estate agents that start a debate taking the opposite side of the inspector’s comments. This appears to distract and frustrate the buyer, especially if it is an issue that may not be important to them.
Certainly no absolute position on this issue. Using experienced and reputable professionals for real estate agents and home inspectors gives the buyer and seller a better chance for buying/selling the property.

By: American Home Inspector Directory

American Home Inspector Directory — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:05:26 +0000

I have been in the home inspection business for 11+ years and in construction for 25 + years. I have built and inspected everything you can think of. I read and write a lot of blogs. I always enjoy reading something new and relevant. Well done nice blog.

By: Bill Gassett

Bill Gassett — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:52:12 +0000

John I disagree with your position, especially what you mention about talking with your client. The purpose of a listing agent being at the home inspection has nothing to do with engaging the buyer. A listing agent is there specifically to represent their seller clients and nothing more. Home inspections are the biggest stumbling block to any sale. It makes sense that the seller is represented.

This is no different than the archaic way all of us Realtors used to do business back in the 80′s when there was no “buyers agency” and everybody represented the seller. Why all of a sudden would the seller not be afforded representation at a home inspection? Both parties should have representation in what is a major part of a transaction. There is a big difference to merely being in attendance to creating issues with the home inspector or buyer.

By: John Miller

John Miller — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:22:30 +0000

Hi Bill, I’m on with Glenn – no seller’s or their agents needed or WANTED while my buyer and their inspector(s) are legally on the property. In my area it is not common for the SA or seller to be on the property. In 9 years I’ve had one SA attend an inspection, uninvited. SA made a casual contact with me and continued directly to make a more pointed contact with my client and the inspector(all of us in the same room). I thanked SA for the interest, but help was not needed and I’ll call when we are done-SA departed. Why would you want to put your buyer and yourself in that position?? Buyers & sellers are not usually in this arena and ‘casual & friendly conservations’,(especially w/a smooth talking agent), can reveal information you don’t want sellers to know, they don’t have the right to know and can lead to a potentially strained relationship with your client trying to explain any off the cuff statements by the SA.
SAs should have already been thru the property – probably several times and already have strong ideas about what issues will be forth coming on the inspection report. In addition, be able to talk over the phone with the buyer’s agent about those issues. Yea there are issues that are unforeseen and discovered, hence the reason for the inspection. The SA can go look at these issues if necessary. If necessary I’ll attend(w/o buyer) and try to see that we agents have the same understanding of just what the issue is. Our clients usually expect us to handle everything and do not want to talk to ‘the other side’. Those that are willing – ‘casual and friendly conservations’………..! So, again, why put anyone in that position??
Hope business is good for everybody, keep safe showing those properties.

By: Jane Peters

Jane Peters — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:27:01 +0000

It is an absolute necessity for both buyer’s and seller’s agent to be at a home inspection. We are an extra set of eyes and ears for our clients and it helps put things in perspective. Most inspection report, because of the legal ramifications of not pointing things out, make the home look far worse than it actually is. Reading between the lines can avoid unnecessary friction between the two parties.