I think most inspectors are used to having someone look over their shoulder during the inspection. I know that in some areas the buyer isn't around until the end of the inspection, but in my area it is common for the buyer to be at the inspection the whole time. I actually encourage them to be there the whole time. It is certainly "easier" to do the inspection without anyone there, but in terms of better understanding the needs of the buyer and to establish a "relationship" with the buyer it is better in my opinion to have them around the whole time. This also prevents having to "repeat" the inspection at the end or leaving something out of a "summary" at the end. It also gives them a better understanding of the Inspection Report is saying. At any rate this is my approach.
I also think it is a good idea to do the inspection as if you were on candid camera because you just never know who might be watching. I have found enough hidden cameras on inspections to know what is possible.
HOWEVER
I think this is one guy I don't need watching over my shoulder on the inspection-----fortunately he wasn't very "mobile," and was most likely pre-occupied with his own "bad hair day."
Charles Buell
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I insist my buyers attend. The attorney for the Indiana Association of Realtors has recommended we realtors stay away at the risk of opening our big mouths and getting ourselves into trouble.
I have the 'tree' hair look today too. Not good.
Pat, from what I gather, every area of the country is different. Here the agents are required to be at the inspection----they usually do their own thing, but I still like them around to answer questions for me and the buyer. I think the more people around the less liability their would be---but who really knows. If someone gets litigious, the guy on the scaffolding washing windows next door will be named in the suit:) I have on occasion had agents give opinions that would be better left to the inspector---but not very often----most don't "tread where angels fear to go!"
This policy of having the buyer present the whole time is questionable. For me as a real estate agent selling agent, I feel the buyers should not be left alone in the house without me (even if the home inspector is there) because I wouldn't want strangers left in my house for 4 or 5 hours while the home inspector crawls all over the place. And a seller does not want to house-sit buyers. And I don't need to spend that much time in the house with other work to do.
Ideally, I like to open the door, let the inspector in, and leave. He can do his stuff without hindrance or interferance. And the seller doesn't mind if he's there by himself.
Just my opinion, Charles. With your clear pictures, you can sit down with the buyer and explain everything!
Barbara, somehow it just seems to work out here. Because the agent has to be at the inspection the whole time the buyer should never be left along in the home----which I agree would not be a good idea. When I am in the attic or crawl space---the buyer and agent play together:) Most of the agents seem to have enough stuff to discuss with the buyer related to the purchase that I don't very often get a sense that they feel they are wasting time. I know a lot of them bring their lap top and just set up shop in the kitchen while I do my inspection.
How long do you usually take to do a home inspection? I don't have a laptop, just a computer at home and at the office.
Charles, I have seen these before and have thought that they were cool. I have a big oak in the front of my yard that I am going to dress up for Halloween...
Charles - Good Post! That tree is the funniest. I needed a laugh this morning. Thanks!
Charles, good post - how do you do that thing with the emoticons?
Charlie,
Never noticed such a camera, but then I am not really into cameras. I knew someone selling a house who had one. He felt the realtor involved was taking liberties....like holding his letters up to the light, seeing who they were from. It was just on person but odd.
Charlie - i've had pesty sellers who refused to leave. In my area it's common for the buyer to be present. My last inspection though, the inspector made the buyer, me and his parents wait outside until he was finished and then took every body through to point out his findings. I thought that was annoying.
Barbara, without a lap top you might get bored at my inspections----unless of course you followed me around:) Typical 1800 sq ft house with crawl and attached garage and an attic-----3-1/2 to 4 hours.
Michael, happy halloween
Tanya, glad I could make you laugh
Rick, all they are is regular jpegs shrunk way down---all done in the images on the tool bar. Just insert a picture, make it the size you want, and add what ever message you want.
Steve, I've got my eye on you
Carol, definately NOT my business model. I can think of a couple of reasons why an inspector might do this. 1. They don't want to be distracted (can mean they are inexperienced), 2. They want to control the time so they can get on to their next inspection.
Charles, even if I followed you around I'd get bored! That's a long time to take out of a busy agent's day. I think you'll should go it alone and report back to the buyer. : )
Charles: well if they are paying for it . they havea right to be there. I don't see any reason whythe Realtor shouldn't be there as long as he/she does not interfere or talk to much.
Barbara---you don't think I could entertain you for a few hours?:)
Lloyd, I always encourage the buyers to be there as much as possible---I kind of look at it this way: 4 or 6 eyes are better than 2. Agents very rarely "interfere" with what I have to do.
Well.....possibly....but not under a house or in an attic!! : )
I always bring extra coveralls:) Nobody ever takes me up on it though----which is good because I would actually have to tell them no.
Charlie B,
You ought to post a video of one of your inspections. Good for those with insomnia.
Steve, I am sure it would be right up there with the 45 minute sewer scoping video that those guys provide their clients.
Just because your are paranoid, doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.
I always tell my clients that they are welcome to go thru the inspection with me or they can show up at the end and I will go over everything with them.
When they are with me I tell them that can ask question about anything about the house. Just to wait to ask about it when we are in the area they are asking about or at the end of the inspection.
I know it takes longer to do an inspection and it one of the reason I don't do my report on site.
Fred----so so true:)
Phillip, I am similiar. My feeling is that my inspection time is the clients time---whatever it takes. That is why I rarely book more than one inspection a day----I don't want to be in the position of thinking about having to be somewhere else. I also don't do on-site reports----seems like it would take away from the clients time again.
Lol. Poor tree.
I love it when an inspector develops a rapport with the buyers. It makes them feel at home.
Trunda, and what better place to help them feel at home than at their new home:)
Charles - I've seen these trees like this somewhere, but now I can't remember where. I might even have a picture somewhere. Cool picture.
Bob, I had the same feeling when I saw it---but I just figured I was being paranoid:)