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Home inspections and the sellers being there.

By
Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

Home inspections and the sellers being there. 

Inspecting a home.

When performing home inspection for Desert Sun Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico,

I run into all kinds of comments from the seller. I generally don't like the seller to be present during a home inspection.

This reasoning is for the fact that the buyer and my self can't talk as freely when at the home. 

Some times the seller will actually follow you around and when ever you make a comment, they seem to have an explanation about or for the comment. Very rarely do they say a simple "I don't know".

They want to sell the home plain and simple. The buyer wants to buy the home, but with the information gathered by the inspector that should be an unbiased report and inspection.

I try and give the best information I can on the home within the report so the buyer can make the best informed decision on wether to buy the home or move on to another home to purchase.


I can only remember a couple of times in my career as a home inspector that the report that was issued on a home "killed the deal".

I don't make the decision that a home is worth buying, that's up to the buyer and Realtor to discuss.

I had mentioned in the past on previous posts about the home owner being at the home when the inspection takes place. In most cases the home owner has left and we are free to talk about the home.

About 20% of the time the home owner is at the home.

My question is this.

"How many homes that you have inspected as a Real Estate agent, has the Home owner still at the home during the inspection?" 

Have a great day every one.

This is post Sixteen in the November Challenge.

Posted by

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. Eddy County's only certified home inspection service WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Serving all of South East New Mexico. We inspect the homes entire structure from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between. Most reports within 4-24 hours from time of inspection completion. We issue a PDF report with pictures Starting at $250.00 for each home inspection. Why settle for less when you can have the best?

Also included is a Appliance recallcheck and a 90 day warranty with all full home inspections.

When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.

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Comments (26)

Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

It bothers me as well to have a seller present. THis is the buyer due diligence period and they need one on one with the inspector at the home they intend to purchase. I advise ALL my sellers to prepare to be out of the house for several hours and expect that when they get home their dishes can be clean if they add soap and leave a note for inspector to complete cycle in dishwasher when running it !!! Buyers and their agent/s need this time to often measure for drapes or discuss furniture arrangement and having a family or seller in attendance would be very problematic for me.

Nov 16, 2012 12:53 AM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

It is unusual for a seller to be present during the inspection in my experience Clint.

Nov 16, 2012 01:41 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Clint: It is not uncommon, but is not the norm for sellers to be present during the buyers home inspection in my area.

Nov 16, 2012 05:54 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro
Clint ....I agree ....The seller in my opinion should never be there unless for some odd reason they are unable to leave. I really believe the only people who should be at the inspection are the inspector and then then the buyer the last hour so that the inspector can go over any repairs that need to be addressed! Great post as always!
Nov 16, 2012 10:09 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Mr. Bond,

I totally agree with you. Even if the seller does'nt follow you around, they just give me a feeling like I'm being watched. And in many cases, I am.

Have a good night.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 10:34 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi James,

You are really on point with this comment.

I really feel like the seller is there to confront you (and they have) when ever you mention a possible issue or area of concern. I get nervous and think I might miss something because I want to get out as fast as I can. And that's not fair to the buyer.

Have a really good evening in Massachusetts.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 10:39 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Wayne,

What in the world have you done to your profile picture?

Looks like you have a bunch of stars on your face. LOL

Thanks for the comment and you are right my friend.

Have a good night in Fort Myers.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 10:41 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Stella,

As long as they are seen and not heard. Don't follow the inspector or buyer around the home saying things are not an issue when you know it really is.

Have a great evening and Thank you so much for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie 

Nov 16, 2012 10:44 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Sharon,

You are on the same page as I am on. If the seller is not home, you can talk freely and inspect the entire home being focused on the inspection instead of answering the sellers questions.

Thank you for the comment.

Have a great evening in New Hampshire.

Best, Clint McKie 

Nov 16, 2012 10:47 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Robert,

Good call. If your clients are comfortable with the sellers being there that's O.K.

Most of my sellers are gone but a few still remain to follow you around the home trying to inject their perspective into the inspection process.

Thanks for the comment and have a good evening in Montreal.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 11:16 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Michele.

I like the way you think. it's best for me and the buyer when the seller is not around during the inspection. Even if the seller is just sitting there, you need to talk freely when inspecting a home.

Thank you for the very good comment.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 11:19 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Al,

In most cases it's the way to go. No confusion or distractions this way.

Have a good night in Ormond by the Sea.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 11:21 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Anita,

It's kinda like that around here. But I prefer that the sellers be gone and free to inspect the home.

Have a good evening in Warner Robins.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 11:23 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Rob,

That's exactly the way a few of the very productive Realtors handle the transaction of the inspection.

I really like it this way.

Thanks for the comment and have a great evening in Bristol my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 16, 2012 11:27 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

For the short answer none I did stay one time for my seller and watched television but I can assure you I won't do it again, 

Nov 16, 2012 07:11 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Clint.  I never, ever have the seller there.  Too much potential for problems.

Nov 16, 2012 07:50 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I can't remember the last time the seller was present at the inspection.  And if they want to be, I will request that they go somewhere by themselves and that we will contact them if there are questions.  This is a time for the buyer to have unfettered by another influence.  It is our time.

Nov 18, 2012 07:50 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi James,

Very good decision not to have the seller there when the inspection is going on.

Have a great day in Rogers my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 18, 2012 08:07 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Conrad.

I like the way you think. Be gone when the inspection team is there and no arguments or it's o.k. remarks to the buyer.

Have a great day in Webster.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 18, 2012 08:09 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

My feelings exactly. That's why I don't like the sellers to be there.

Have a nice Monday Morning in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 18, 2012 08:10 PM