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Seller Fails Inspection Etiquette

By
Home Inspector with National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC

It happed again and it shouldn't.  Another unpleasant confrontation at the home inspection occurs. 

Myself (the home inspector), the real estate sales agent representing the buyer and the buyer all meet in front of the property last Saturday morning for the home inspection.  The buyer's father had also arrived and is parked nearby with a contactor expected later on to measure a room.  

As we approach the front door, the male seller steps out to meet us.  The sales agent announces that we are here for the home inspection and introduces himself, the buyer and myself.  The seller then proceeds to coldly question the sales agent demanding to know who will be going inside as he doesn't want any "shit missing". 

The buyer quickly replied that nothing would be stolen as he is a police officer.  Very few words were spoken after that unique introduction and we proceeded with the inspection.

Why did this happen?  Doesn't the listing agent instruct the seller regarding inspection etiquette?  Clearly the seller implied that there may be a thief among the party.

If the seller wants to kill his own deal, this could be the beginning of the end.  And of course, the home had inspection issues. 

By now, I thought for sure that the listing sales agent would have contacted everybody and offered an apology on part of the seller.  Nothing but silence ...                

And as far as I am aware, no items were reported missing from the home.

Glen Fisher southjerseynpi@aol.com                                                                                                                    

"The South Jersey Home Inspector"

Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

Beautiful post. You are 100 percent right. On eof the key roles of Realtors is to protect buyers and sellers by keeping them away from each other. The listing agent failed in this case

Dec 15, 2009 11:43 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing the story. Listing agents should be sure to advise sellers on proper home inspection etiquette.

Dec 15, 2009 11:46 PM
Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

This is a good way to start the transaction down the wrong path.  Sorry to say I have seen this type of behavior before and sure I will again. 

Dec 15, 2009 11:46 PM
Julia Odom
Select Realty Professionals - Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Homes for Sale

"Protect buyers and sellers by keeping them away from each other." I need to add that to my job description =)

Dec 15, 2009 11:47 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

  The only home inspection we have had in a zillion years where the seller was home...nosey, intrusive, obnoxious.....was a neighbor we knew......he was a realtor.

Dec 15, 2009 11:57 PM
Kirsten Mellinger
SkyView Real Estate - Simi Valley, CA
Ventura County Real Estate

What an awful experience for the buyers.  Shame on the listing agent for not being there though.  Had the listing agent been there before anyone showed up, the seller most likely would have expressed those concerns then and the listing agent would have been able to diffuse the situation.

Dec 15, 2009 11:59 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Yup---definately a conversation that needs to be had way ahead of the inspection:)

Dec 17, 2009 01:17 AM
Glen Fisher
National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC - Oaklyn, NJ

I agree with all the above comments.  I also believe that the buyer and seller should never meet until closing.

Dec 17, 2009 08:34 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy there Glen

Listing Agent sure should have at least called Buyer's Agent to apology. The life of an Inspector, sure isn't ever boring. Thats for sure!

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Dec 24, 2009 10:06 AM