Have you ever told a client they shouldn't buy this home?

I can recall numerous occasions where I recommended a buyer not to buy but as their Realtor, that's my duty.

However, an inspector's duty is to inspect the property, file a report and forward it to the buyers' agent. If the report sent is as bad as you illustrated, do you really believe an agent will recommend going forward with the sale?

Finally, an experienced agent wouldn't have their clients make an offer on a property that was so visually impaired unless their client had other motives for buying the property. 

I recently "lost" a sale but saved my clients a nightmare by cautioning them about potential costs in purchasing a property they loved. To bring it up to standard would take all their cash. Their vision of what it could be was far beyond their pocket book!

Education and knowing a bit about the folks you are working with is the key.  I am not here to tell another person what to do, but if I notice  something that it is note worthy, good or bad,  I will point it out as a matter of fact.

When my son and his wife were looking for their first home my husband and I went with them to a few showings. Of course at the price they could afford the places were dumps. The one they fell in love with was the worst of the bunch. My husband was on their side, but I couldn't hold back. I pointed out many reasons why I wouldn't invest in that house. They didn't listen, put in an offer which was accepted, and had an inspection.

I was so relieved (and validated) when the inspector said "RUN, do not walk, away from this house!"

Shortly after that they found a home that needed cosmetic help but had awesome bones and had been very well cared for. 

I've warned several buyers, and when they've moved forward and complain about issues at least I can say it!

All the time!It's not even funny, because I know a lot of my clients personally. I don't even get to the oint where we send out a building inspector because offers aren't going in.

I have never had to do that.  Clients reach that conclusion on their own. I am the guide. I will make sure they see and understand so they make informed decisions. 

I have, exactly once. I knew this house was going to be a problem from the get-go, so when the buyers decided to make an offer, I documented EVERYTHING that was done and said until the close. Eight pages of notes. My manager at the time looked at me and I said "I'm just trying to keep us out of a lawsuit". That house was a nightmare for the buyers and they sold (not using me) two years later.

I always emphasize to the consumers I work with, that I will give the best information I have on a property. I do not hold back on making sure they have important negative information as well as the positive. I then tell them, I provide information and they will always make the decisions.

I have no problem telling my buyers a house is a POS way before we ever get to writing an offer, especially first time buyers. I believe it's my responsibility to advise and even protect them from making the biggest mistake of their lives. You're right when most of the time the inspection will tell a buyer that they need to move on. And I would hope that any inspector that had a conscience like apparently you do, would tell a buyer directly they shouldn't buy it. If you lived in my area, I would recommend you in a heart beat. 

Yes, I have suggested to a client they shouldn't purchase a certain home. Somehow it will eventually be my fault in the future once they realize they made a mistake.

By the way, "The Money Pit" was a very funny movie.  "I gotta be me...."

Fred,  I have absolutely told folks they should not buy a home - especially when acting as a buyers agent.

There are just some properties that people need to stay away from for one reason or the other - unless they have more money than God or don't care about the circumstances.  Then we write it up!

Hey Fred,  I have come close  couple of times but I ask them to rate the house doing the inspection and lots of time they have come down in rating then we talk again.

Great post!  Love the Money Pit referenced picture.  I've told many clients not to buy a house.  One client got upset with me and I never heard from him again.  I told him not to buy a delapidated old house on a busy street corner.  His wife is now a licensed realtor, pretty good at it, and I'm sure they are working together. That's okay because she's on my green committee and thinks I rock.  It's all about being honest!

I have never advised against buying a home but I did advise against renting a home once.

Fred, I don't think I've ever said to someone they cannot buy something but I've definitely made sure they understood what they would be getting into if they did. 

As an inspector, I have only told one customer that they shouldn't buy a house. They were a young couple with a bunch of kids, and the hous ein question had some scary electrical issues as well as signifigant roof and foundation problems. I told them that this was not their house and that they should look a little bit more. A few days later, the buyer's mom called me. The mom is a realtor and thanked me for talking her daughter out of the bad house. She has since referred me to about 100 of her clients.

I have also had a couple of situations where I am inspecting an investment property for a friend. If things start to look bad and expensive in the first 20 minutes, I'll call them and tell them "The roof is toast, the foundation is cracked and there is a leak in the upstairs bathroom. If I stop now, you just owe me lunch."

When asked the question "Would you buy this house?" My response is usually: "I would let my mother buy this house, but I would make sure she understands the issues that need to be addressed so that she could decide if it's worth the investment of time and money".

I've done this a couple times when asked if they should buy the house. I say those exact words you used, "I can't say whether or not you should buy the house, that's what you and your agent must decide." But the entire time I'm saying those words, my head is shaking side to side, NO NO NO