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Inspections: Are They Worth Your Time?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Heritage Realty

Before you shoot me with electronic daggers, please continue reading.  I am not questioning whether or not Inspections should be done on a property, but whether the 3-5 hour committment from the agent is thought of as a good investment of your time.

Over the years, I have heard of many theories about who should attend the Home Inspection...the Buyer, the Seller, the Buyer's Agent, the Seller's Agent, friends, family members, neighbors, etc.

Some Listing (Seller's) Agents I have dealt with have commented that they don't attend inspections on their own listings because they then become liable for the information should the property not close and they were present when the inspection revealed a defect such as termites, wood rot, mold, etc. I guess the theory there is: What you don't know, you aren't obligated to share to the next Buyer.

Other Listing Agents I have dealt with swear they would never let someone inspect the house without being present to represent the Seller and to find out first-hand what the inspector finds. These agents often comment that they like to use this time to "bond" with the other agent or Buyer (if they are present for the inspections).

Some Buyer's Agents I have dealt with only attend inspections if their Buyer cannot be present. Their position is that it is the Buyer who is buying the house and not them, so why should they sit there for hours...

Other Buyer's Agents I have dealt with cannot fathom having their Buyer attend an inspection without them. They promote their attendance at inspections as a service they provide and tend to use this time to council Buyers during the process.

I have an inspection this afternoon on one of my listings. I've told the Seller I will be there. I don't think they should be present...that's why they are paying me. When I represent Buyers, I also go to the inspections. I've found that if I am present, I can not only find out in a timely manner what the Inspector finds, but I can also get a feel for whether any issues will cause concern enough for the transaction to fall through.

What's your position on attending inspections?

If you are a Buyer who is interested in knowing more about a Seminole County city such as Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Fern Park, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford or Winter Springs, contact LaShawn Norden, PA, REALTOR, ALHS at (321) 377-0157 or at LaShawn@LaShawnNorden.com.

If you are a Seller who has a home to sell in Seminole County and values having a marketing specialist with Real Estate license on your side, LaShawn Norden, PA, REALTOR, ALHS is the expert for you!

LaShawn Norden is the Only Central Florida Native You'll Need!

 

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Direct: (321) 377-0157, LaShawn@YourHomeOurPriority.com Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS)  & THREE-YEAR Five Star "Best In Client Satisfaction" Award Winner! Click HERE to visit MY WEBSITE!  

Priority One Homes Team @ Keller Williams Heritage, Offices in Lake Mary, Longwood & Downtown Orlando, Florida

SEARCH MLS HERE for CENTRAL FLORIDA Resales, Foreclosures, Short Sales, New Homes, Condos, Townhomes & More.

Should you or someone you know be interested in buying or selling Real Estate in Central Florida, I'd love to earn the business! I am never too busy for referrals!

 

 

Comments (7)

Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

I attend as a listening party, and to document things for those who may not be there or to clarify the specific item in the report.  Sometimes a picture is needed for the less than 1000 words scribbled or typed on a report.  And if the deal goes south because of the inspection, disclosures have to be made as to why, so I don't see how not being there would eliminate disclosure for an agent - those agents saying that need some more training.

Jun 24, 2008 04:09 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

As a buyer's agent I always go to the inspection.  However, I have never had a listing agent attend an inspection (neither professionally or when I was buying my personal properties). 

Jun 24, 2008 05:07 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

LaShawn - Either Cas or I attend inspections... I try to get him to do it (smiles).  I think that it is important to know first hand for the buyer and for the seller what the inspector reports. 

These days many buyer's agents don't attend with the buyer... then you have an inspector and a buyer in a home, often still owner occupied with all of their possessions without supervision...  I just see trouble, I think that the buyer's agent has a responsibility to attend. 

Jun 24, 2008 11:17 AM
LaShawn Norden
Keller Williams Heritage Realty - Longwood, FL
REALTOR, (321) 377-0157, Your Real Estate Advocate in Central FL

Heath- I agree, sometimes pictures are worth more than the 20 page report!...Besides, it's a whole lot easier to explain a finding to someone else if you've seen it yourself! Thanks for commenting!

Stacey-Ann-I am shocked that you've never had a listing agent attend an inspection. I think Sellers deserve representation and besides, isn't that part of "the job?" If you ever buy a place in Florida, let me know and I'll be your agent...inspections included :)

Debbie-I wish I had a Cas! Sometimes it's hard to fit everything in and to plan around an inspection that may take 2 hours or 6 hours (depending on the house and the inspector), but I agree, we owe it to out clients to be present.

Jun 24, 2008 12:34 PM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island

LaSHAWN - I always go to the inspection for buyers and sellers.  It's boring, but I feel that I'm in a better position if I know what is going on. Hope you're feeling better.

Jun 24, 2008 09:55 PM
Yvette Smith
LONG & FOSTER - Williamsburg, VA
Realtor In Williamsburg VA, Homes for Sale

LaShawn, I agree.  I will go to my buyer inspections.  Because my company does pre-listing inspections for our sellers (at our expense), I don't go the those inspections.  They are done by our affiliate home inspector & we confident that they will do a great job!

Thanks for sharing!

Jun 26, 2008 01:24 AM
Anonymous
Laura Forty-Garcia

I think as part of our job we should attend.  If something needs to be addressed we as agents can see and document with pictures.  Sometimes you can get an inspector that damages the property.  I went to an inspection years ago where the inspector leg fell in the attic on the drywall.  If he was there alone who would have saved him....
That is my two cents.. opinion. 

Jul 03, 2008 10:18 AM
#7