When inspecting a property for a buyer, I sometimes will call the listing agent aside and ask if there are any known problems in the house. I usualy arrive early, so I can talk to the agent before anyone else shows up. I do this because I will usually find out if problem items are present anyway, but my motivation is to talk to the listing agent so they know what I am looking for, and can better inform their seller now, and their future sellers as well.
Most agents know what most inspectors are looking for, but sometimes you meet an agent who has been in business a long time, but hasn't heard of a particular problem known throughout the industry.
I don't like potential problems, but in older homes from the 60's on down, things are bound to come up. There is also EIFS - synthetic stucco - that is known for trapping water, thereby damaging the structure and sheathing. I explain to the whole group what I have found, and what the ramifications are.
I avoid words that will scare your average first time home buyer, and the presentation is so important at the end of the inspection. Sometimes (though rarely) some agents will leave angry. I used to let it bother me, but it has not so much lately. I am there to do a job, and will do it to my best ability. I will not use language to alarm or dissuade, but sometimes the deal dies. One cannot predict how a buyer will feel about a particular issue, so I like hearing when an agent has already spoke to the buyer and has made comments like "this is normal for a house of this age", and "keep in mind this house was built in the 1930's".
If the buyer has heard these things before, they are more likely to accept it and deal accordingly with it when the inspector brings it up.
Once, I did an inspection where I knew the buyer was not going to buy because of a foundation crack and other issues. The next morning, I drove to the real estate office to let the listing agent know what I had found. I told her how and what I said so she was prepared, and so that she could deal with her now-perturbed seller. Do you know any inspectors who will go to such lengths to communicate? Any responses are appreciated. Thanks -Ray
;)
;)
Ray, here in my area, I almost never have an opportunity to see the listing agent. Usually the only contact I would have with them is if there is some sort of major safety issue going on like a gas leak or carbon monoxide. I actually go out of my way to not discuss anything about the house with the listing agent without the express written permission of my buyer----I guess if the deal is off it might be one thing----but deals have a way of coming back on sometimes:)