Buying a home has many different aspects. As a REALTOR® my job begins when I first meet my buyers and LISTEN to what they are looking for. If I believe I can HELP - then we are off to look at houses, until we find the right home in the right neighborhood.
My job, as a REALTOR® then progresses as I help draw the offer, making sure we cover all of the important issues to my buyer and structure the offer so we have the best opportunity to beat out other offers that are probably competing for this home, in the current market.
My job is to negotiate and do the best I can for my buyers to help get their offer accepted and an escrow open. My job then is to make sure my buyers have at their disposal my team of third party vendors and allow them to select and schedule a home inspection.
Once, the inspection is scheduled, I take it upon myself to show up at the beginning of the process. I make sure the inspector is there and does not start before the buyer arrives. I'll go over the ground rules with my buyers and the inspector - advising my buyer to watch, take notes and be quiet during the inspection and NOT to distract the inspector while he is working as this may cause a distraction that may leave something undone. Let the inspector work.
At the end of the actual inspection process, my home inspector then will take the buyer through a tour of the home and bring to the buyers' attention any shortcomings from minor flaws and imperfections to items that will require immediate attention . . . and everything in between.
This post started off as an introduction to a reblogged article by San Diego Home Inspector Russel Ray.
The company I have been working with for several years and never had a consumer complaint about is The Elite Group Property Inspection Service. One of the best features they have is their technology that allows them to generate a full color report, on the spot so the consumer has all of the information while it is fresh and can be examined up close and personal - no one else that I know of, locally, offers this level of commitment to the investment they make in their business , , , and if they do, I don't think they were when Elite started this several years ago.
John, I always go to the home when the inspector is doing his job. The buyer is usaully there also. Questions come up during the inspection that can be answered by someone (the inspector) who has extensive knowledge on the subject.
Boulder City Steve
When scheduling an inspection I tell my client I want them to follow me around and ask questions. This allows the buyer to learn how to maintain various items as well as express any concerns they might have.
Of course it's up to the inspector to keep things moving forward and to avoid unnecessary distractions. It's not uncommon for a buyer to ask me questions about a item I have not gotten to yet. I just politely explain that I follow a step-by-step process of inspecting one item at a time and that we will get to each item in time. What I find somewhat distracting is when the buyer brings half a dozen people with them and they all have questions. But once again it's up to me to control the inspection.
In the end I want my client to feel comfortable with my services and to get to know me. That only happens by spending time together. The result is referrals which we all depend on.
Congratuations on the well deserved feature John! You've certainly covered the important points regarding a Realtor's role in the Home Inspection process.
As agents we have to remember we are not inspectors. Inspectors are responsible for the inspection. I am there with my buyer but my mouth is normally shut. Normally.
Hey John,
Your comment ( because of their technology that allows them to generate a full color report, and never had a consumer complaint, were good reasons 5 years ago,) today's most home inspector's use electronic , digital reporting software, and unless you check for consumer complaint , They could screw up on your watch, which could leave you liable, word of advice, check to see what other inspector's are in your area, and what services they offer. Their back ground and experience. and then if you still want to recommend them, you will also have the answer as to why you recommended them. I receive calls from buyers that tell me that their realtor's did not give them my contact information, i offer thermal imaging, wind mitigation, 4 point insurance inspections, basic home inspections, energy consulting, which let's them to believe that their Realtor does know the inspector's in the area that they are buying. and if you recommended your inspector an attorney would probably look for the best inspector in the area and would ask you why you didn't recommend abcxyz inspections they also have nice digital reports, no consumer complaints, but are equipt with infrared camera. Now, That is technology, as for my inspections, i go over my finding that are going to be in the report answer all their questions and they get their electronic password protected report the next day.
Hector
to find out more about thermal imaging and how it works in a home inspection visit my website
http://www.hpcertifiedhomeinspections.com/
John, excellent points that you brought out about buyer representation in general and during the home inspection. Typically my buyers' inspections have gone on in the same manner as which you described. When I'm the listing agent I do like to attend the home inspection too or at least make an appearance so that when the inspection issues are addressed, I will know and understand and be able to let my sellers know and sometimes even show them what the report is referring to especially if a buyer is looking for a credit or for the seller to fix it.
I think it is paramount that we be there when an inspection takes place. It can be time consuming but in the relationship and fiduciary department, it is huge.
Ty
This was such a great post, with all the valuable comments so I've written something director to the buyer. Hope I captured everyone's great input accurately ... Home Inspections: Who Participates?
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Also wishing you good health and prosperity for 2010!
I am amazed at how many agents think they are inspectors, licensed contractors and even appraisers. People do your job and let these people do theirs. Then take the information these professionals have given your clients and use it to help them secure the best deal possible for themselves.
HI John. It is very common in our area to get fully detailed inspection reports. I always encourage my Buyers to be present at the inspection. They can get first hand knowledge on the condition of the house and usually tips on upkeep of the house.
John,
Thank you for this thought provoking post.
We all have our own opinions about how the inspection should be carried out.
I know agents who feel that they should alwsys be present for the entire inspection. However, when I took my ABR course, it was suggested by the instructor that we could be held liable if we were at the inspection instead of just the buyer being there. I usually meet everyone at the beginning and then leave the buyer with the inspector. After all, it is the buyer's inspection. Also, this is a great learning experience, especially for first time homeowners. I enjoyed reading all the different comments.
Hope you have a great 2010
Linda W DeRusha
Clayton NC
Call it a pet peave, but my husband and I consider it our duty and responsibility to be present for the inspection, whether we are working with the buyers or sellers, and it really bothers us that the other agent will either not come, or will come for a few minutes and then leave. How can that agent properly advise their party about what has been discovered during the inspection? Just reading the report is not the same as seeing an issue in person!
As a home inspector myself, I loved the part of your article about the home inspection. I wish all agents would understand the importance of their at least showing up for part of the inspection. So many agents simply refuse to attend any portion of the home inspection.
Like the inspector you are using, my home inspection process includes a full review with the client. Thanks for encouraging other agents to do the same....
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"I make sure the inspector is there and does not start before the buyer arrives. I'll go over the ground rules with my buyers and the inspector." Really? Ground rules for the inspector uh?
Realtors need to step back from the home inspection process rather than try to control it.
"At the end of the actual inspection process, my home inspector then will take the buyer through a tour of the home..."
Home inspectors are not YOURS. Home inspectors are supposed to work in the best interest of the client, NOT the Realtor.
By Realtors showing up for the inspection, that immediately creates a situation in which the Realtor is trying to control the entire inspection process and ultimately the results. You all need to step back, let the home inspector do his job for the client. After the inspection, once the client has the report, then you jump back in and do the renegotiating on the inspection response.
Not rocket science.
John;
With regards to this part of your post:
"Once, the inspection is scheduled, I take it upon myself to show up at the beginning of the process. I make sure the inspector is there and does not start before the buyer arrives. I'll go over the ground rules with my buyers and the inspector - advising my buyer to watch, take notes and be quiet during the inspection and NOT to distract the inspector while he is working as this may cause a distraction that may leave something undone."
1) I find this somewhat presumptuious. The inspector is "in charge" of the inspection, not the agent (buyer's or seller's agent).
2) I, regularly, inspect the exterior, grounds and roof of the house before the buyer gets there. This helps to speed up the process and keeps the buyer from wanting to climb up on the roof, which is an unacceptable liability.
3) There are no "ground rules" for you to set. The inspector is in charge of the inspection process, not the agent.
4) Any good inspector will do any "explaining" to the client. I invite my clients to accompany me during the inspection so as to have a first hand look at the house's condition and so I can both explain as we go and answer any questions the client might have. There are a couple of potentially dangerous times during the inspection, such as looking at the attic, and I want to be able to control these situations, keeping the client from being hurt, while at the same time providing a controlled situation for the buyer to see, first hand.
5) While the buyer is perfectly free to "take notes", any good inspector will put the inspection results and comments in the report so this won't be necessary.
It seems, from your comments, that you believe that the agent is somehow "in charge" of the entire RE transaction. This is simply not true. When I do an inspection, I am in charge. If the agent doesn't like this fact or believes that they should take over, I simply ask them to abide by my decisions or they are free to leave. It can't be any other way. All the agents that I work with, regularly, understand this and we work well together, to the client's benefit. Those who don't are invited to leave. Simple as that.
Sorry, but thems the facts. Agents do what they do and inspectors do what they do. Two totally seperate, distinct and different professions. And neither one is the "controlling" party.
Hope this helps;
I am speechless. I cannot for the life of me understand how so many real estate agents and some home inspectors agree with this article. What is the Realtors Job in a Home Inspection? None…he/she is not a home inspector…he/she is a real estate agent. Ground Rules? My Inspector?
The blind leading the blind.
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