Should The Listing Agent Attend the Buyers Home Inspection?

Thom,

You ask a very interesting question, indeed!  It would seem that with particularly busy agents (such as yourself), arranging to be at every inspection ( which could amount to more than one per day) would be very difficult. You bring up a valid point regarding the inspection itself. If the inspector is thorough, then issues will be revealed. The importnat factor in the entire equation is the client. Therefore, each agent must decide how they can best serve their client's needs. It sounds as if you have a system that works for you and your clients and that is great!

Good topic for discussion.  I've got mixed feelings on the "round filing" of the inspection report.  I always submit the inspection report with the buyer's repair requests in order to document we're not making crap up.  If listing agents don't verify the requests made on behalf of their clients, then what prevents buyers from requesting repairs that aren't necessary or called out.  The listing agent that doesn't verify things is only going on the word of the buyer . . . hmmmmmmm . . . I might like agents that don't want the report ;-)  I've had clients want the microwave replaced because the inspector noted in their report it was "loud"  It worked, but was loud.  The buyer actually wanted me to request the sellers replace the functioning microwave.  So what's to prevent me from requesting that based on the inspection report which would only have indicated it was being "loud"?  If listing agents aren't reviewing what the problemo is in the inspection report, the sellers might be agreeing to take care of things just because of picky buyers.  No?!?

Thom...unless I am asked by the buyers agent to be present (rarely) I typically do not have the time to attend. 

THom -  great subject... I like to 'pop in' as a listing agent to answer any questions that might have arisen.. If I do not know those questons (which is usually the case), then I can call my seller and ask them... As a buyer's agent.. if the seller's agent wants the report.. then fine... but I will point out that if I dislose everything to him, he will have to then disclose all of our fact findings to the next buyer.. so we negotiate...

Interesting discussion here, Thom. I do not attend listing inspections (my listings are usually short sales), but do attend buyer inspections when possible so I can ask questions and see problems for myself.