Now Just Hold on a Second There.
There are many times when a seller is present at the home inspection. Most of the time they just hang around the house, in the kitchen or family room watching TV or reading, etc. They may say to check with them if we have any questions we need answered. Very helpful and totally fine with me and my buyer. We always remind the buyer that we are in the seller's home and we should wear boot covers, which I bring with for them just in case to respect the home. I also remind the buyers not to discuss anything within earshot of the sellers just to avoid an awkward situation.
Many years ago, one seller decided to change things and make up a new set of home inspection standards. The buyer agent had not yet arrived. As I was removing my ladder and starting to set it up, the seller approached and asked what I was doing. I said in my mind, "Isn't it plainly obvious what I'm doing?" But out loud I said, I was getting ready to look at the roof. The remaining conversation went like this.... S-You can't climb on that ladder. Me-Why not? S-You might fall off and sue me. Me-I promise I have insurance and you're covered. S-I cant allow it on my property. Me-OK The buyer was standing by watching this and got on the phone with his wife. Next I went into a detached barn/garage and got my screwdriver out to open the electrical sub panel in the barn. He again asked "What are you doing?" I replied, "I am going to remove the dead front cover from the panel to see the wiring inside." "Nope, he says, you can't do that because you might stick your fingers inside and get electrocuted and then sue me." Only an idiot would do that and I'm no idiot. But this inspection was now a huge mess.
Still no agent, I had to fix this mess and fix it fast. The seller had no clue, and the buyer and his wife were stuck in the middle. I asked the buyer if he had made an offer that was accepted by the seller that included a home inspection contingency clause? He said yes. I turned to the seller and asked him if he accepted such offer from this buyer that included a home inspection contingency clause? He said he did. I said to the buyer, "I am leaving, due to the fact that the seller is breaking the accepted contract that he signed by not allowing me to do your inspection as he agreed. If I leave and have to come back, there will be another fee which if I were you, I would insist that the seller pay." I started packing up my tools and heard the buyer and his wife on the phone frantically trying to figure out what to do, but it was really in the seller's hands. I took no more than 5 steps and the seller called out "Well hold on just a second." I knew we were going to be doing the inspection at that very moment.
What I realized as the inspection went on with the seller following every step was that his agent had not prepared him at all as to what was going to be done at his house. He didn't have a clue what a home inspection was or wasn't. When the agent arrived, the buyers explained what happened and what I said and she promised she would never be late again. Deal Killer? More like Deal Saver.
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