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- mamaof2bugs
- Contributions:45
hello? Anyone?
you don't need to leave, just give them space. Let the inspector/agent/buyers confer in privacy, sometimes owners are just too curious to hear, and kind of smother the others. Stay completely out of the way, let your agent handle the inspection report, repair requests etc.
- mina36
- Contributions:3478
Congrats on selling your house! I don't have any real opinions on staying or leaving.. but if you stay, just make sure everyone is out of the way of the inspector. However, if the buyer is going to show up for the inspection, might make them uncomfortable and feel they can't freely speak about the house problems (if any) with you there. Could you go out side while they are there ? Maybe there is a park nearby?
- Bette Defarm
- Contributions:4697
Congratulations! I hate to tell you this, but I would not go through with an inspection with the owners there. It would be considered the height of rudeness where I live.
- mamaof2bugs
- Contributions:45
I think they will have questions that only I can answer, we have a unique well system, etc. so I was thinking it would be a plus for them if I was here....hmmmmmm
- Dan Hayden, "Dan Hayden"
- Contributions:293
No it would not be a plus. It's best for everyone if you are not there.
- Bette Defarm
- Contributions:4697
When I bought my crapshack in CA, years ago, the owners insisted on staying and ended up preventing my inspector from a fully unencumbered look. It turned out he missed some very small things, but it made me very wary.
You can always leave notes. JMHO :*)
You can always leave notes. JMHO :*)
- Kimberlee Quarles, "Kimberleesellshomes"
- Contributions:174
I would suggest you leave. If there are questions after the inspection they will know how to get in touch with you.
- SlickPoetry
- Contributions:294
honestly, as a buyer who plans on attending his inspection (a lot do), I would feel extremely uncomfortable if the seller were there. I would think it would hamper communication between the inspector and buyer.
- mamaof2bugs
- Contributions:45
alright...guess I better get ready to leave then, thanks!
- Durenda FachtmannCEC CRS GRI, "Durenda"
- Contributions:512
mamaof2bugs,
You have been given good advice to vacate your home for the home inspection. The inspector needs free access in and out to do his job.
If the buyers are to be at the property for the inspection, it is adviseable for your realtor to also be there.
If there are any questions, they should be posed through your realtor for documentation then passes to you.
Best of luck with your sale.
- 2 Big 2 Fail
- Contributions:0
Actually it's best that you don't give the inspector any space and follow him around like a hawk. If he is not comfortable, he is more likely to overlook problems.
- 2 Big 2 Fail
- Contributions:0
No, don't leave the house.
[content removed by moderator for being a personal insult]
- 2 Big 2 Fail
- Contributions:0
"...the owners insisted on staying and ended up preventing my inspector from a fully unencumbered look. It turned out he missed some very small things, but it made me very wary."
A very good reason to stay in the house during the inspection!
- Greg_ATX
- Contributions:4
Having been in Real Estate and seeing what actually takes place during the inspection, I would consider just one person staying for the inspection. For example: I left an inspection one time (my own house) and the inspector pulled so hard on the hot water heater pipes that the hot water heater had to be replaced within a few weeks. Eight years later and I'm still not sure why he would have done that. I'll not make that same mistake again.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26804
While one adult remaining may be useful, a bunch of kids and dogs would not be a good idea. The inspector needs full access to everything. As a buyer I've participated in inspections with the adult owner present for questions (NOT tagging along) and others where no owners are present. As a seller, my agent has been there for the inspection but I've never been there. Having the agent present has been useful in trying to translate the buyer's requests following the inspection.
- julia111
- Contributions:656
We have sold a few houses in our time, and we were always there for the inspections. The last inspection the buyer was there also. I dont feel comfortable with a stranger in my house, around all of my stuff. We just stay out of the way and try to help if needed.
My poor sis when she sold her place, she decided to leave and the inspector tore her place up. The 2 toilets were popped off the seal when she got home and a water line in the laundry room was almost torn out of the wall!! Its was very strange. She had to make a issue of it with the buyers realtor who was there.
Its still your house till the day you close, I would stick around the keep a eye out.
- 2 Big 2 Fail
- Contributions:0
Definitely stay for the inspection. When your not aorund, there is a greater chance that something of value may grow a pair of legs and walk out the door. I grew up in NYC so I don't trust ANYBODY.
- Kevin Kravcak, "Kevin Kravcak"
- Contributions:83
2 big 2 fail,
Wow, you're something else. I presume you make your statements thinking they are in the best interest of your seller. I am not sure what state you practice in but PA contracts state the seller must provide unobstructed access to the property for all inspections. To suggest your client should stay on purpose to distract the buyers inspector is not very ethical and certainly does not show good faith on your part. Buying and Selling a home should be a win win situation for everybody involved.
You should not stay under any circumstances, if the buyer has questions, their agent can do their job and get the answers from your agent if needed. For special circumstances a note to the inspector probably would not hurt. Regarding the comments of an inspector breaking things in your house, they can be held liable and do have insurance to cover such instances. In 10 years, I've never had any party involved in my transactions have that happen to them and I bet the percentages that will happen to you are very small. I have seen listing agents show up for home inspections also but I do not think it is good practice either. Why? Because if you are made aware of any deficiencies you and/or your agent will now be obligated to add them to your sellers disclosure, should the deal with this buyer fall through, because it is now a known defect as opposed to an unknown defect. If you decide to stay.....you should stay out of their way and leave them alone.
- 2 Big 2 Fail
- Contributions:0
NEWSFLASH Kevin: This ain't Pennsylvania. This is New Jersey. The suburbs of NYC. People here will rob you dumb deaf and blind if your not paying attentione very seocnd of every minute. You can't tell a seller they cannot stay in their house. Who the heck are you? The police? If you think that sellers should leave their houses, then put your money where your mouth is by leaving a $20 bill on your dashboard with the doors unlocked the next time you park your car.
- Kevin Kravcak, "Kevin Kravcak"
- Contributions:83
Sounds like you need to move to an area with less crime. I would hate to live in an area where I would have to worry every second of every minute for fear my belongings would be stolen, by the buyer of my house no less!
It sounded to me like she was asking more out of being inconvenienced than being worried something would be stolen and I did offer the alternative to stay, against my better judgement, and just to stay out of their way if she did so.
Kevin, whether a listing agent is there or not, once they receive the inspection report, they are aware of all the defects, and must disclose them. Thus your advice to leave to 'keep you unaware' is silly. Unless you follow the inspector onto the roof, into the basement, and crawl through the attic, you won't know what he is doing anyways. It is still the seller's house. they have to give access, they don't have to leave, that is what the contract says.
- Kevin Kravcak, "Kevin Kravcak"
- Contributions:83
Azrob, in PA our contracts give options for home inspections, with option 1 the buyer may back out of the deal without asking for repairs first or giving any reason for that matter. In such transactions they do not share the home inspection report because it is the buyers report and they are not obligated to share it so they usually do not and the seller or I do not want to see it either. In transactions such as these, it is not silly at all and could (in some cases) cost your client Thousands of dollars when the property goes back on the market. 8 of 10 deals that cross my desk have the buyer choosing option 1 and when I right a deal for a buyer, option 1 is usually their choice as well. Of course, it's always the clients right to do what ever they want, the poster asked for opinions, so I gave her mine.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26804
Kevin: As a seller (and we've done so several times), we've always had a home inspection before putting the house on the market. It has saved many "surprises". Of course, different inspectors have different things they pick up (such as the extremely short inspector who thought the fuse box should comply with new code, not the code of the time the house was built). It puts the seller in a much stronger position.
kevin, if the owner is sitting in the living room watching tv, they will not know what the inspector found.l You keep trying to correct me, but your points are mostly vacous...The buyer will either ask for repairs, or not, and if they ask, you will know about the defects. This happens whether the owner leaves the home or not..
- Kevin Kravcak, "Kevin Kravcak"
- Contributions:83
Azrob, I'm not trying to correct you just inform about how I would've proceeded and why. I have stated numerous times that if she stayed, I agreed with you and she should just stay out of their way.
wetdawgs, I think that is good advice, in general. Although in most cases, I've been able to negotiate for my sellers and saved them money as opposed to having them foot 100% of all repair bills. I agree knowing ahead of time what issues may arise is a good thing and gives you the advantage of knowledge. Every situation is different though and I would evaluate and proceed accordingly with the cooperation and blessings of my client.
- Mikal1
- Contributions:1144
Buying and Selling a home should be a win win situation for everybody involved.
Perfect example of why I don't use a realtor, and exactly why I dislike the standard compensation scheme. OK, so all parties DO want a deal to happen, but this isn't like a lot of deals in the business world where you're establishing a relationship, a long-term, ongoing, mutually beneficial, symbiotic, money generating deal. This is a one time transaction, the other parties benefit/satisfaction is of absolutely ZERO concern past the point of getting them to sign the deal. Paperwork is done, transaction is closed, property is transferred, CYA, wouldn't wanna be ya!
If someone isn't ready to make blood flow, if they're not straining at the leash to rip the flesh from the other parties with their bare teeth, if they're not eager to reduce the other party to a stinking, putrid, homeless corpse, if their singular focus isn't on getting me the absolute best possible deal at the expense of all other parties, then they're not properly representing my interest. Everything short of illegal/unethical behavior is mandatory, I just don't understand any other attitude.
OK, so maybe I'm embellishing just a tiny bit to get my point across. ;)
- Kevin Kravcak, "Kevin Kravcak"
- Contributions:83
Point well taken Mikal and I don't disagree with your fiduciary relationship points as realtors we are supposed to get the clients we represent as much as we can. I believe that can be done and still have a win win (the win win being the final sale)result in the end and harrassing the inspector purposely in hopes they miss something, to me is unethical and could very well result in a future lawsuit (worse case scenario).
- Kelsey Barklow, "kbarklow"
- Contributions:125
Mika,
I'm sorry, what is your point?
- Team Bonisolli, "teambonisolli"
- Contributions:88
I usually recommend that my sellers leave during the inspection ONLY because it can be stressful to see someone "picking your home apart" If they want to stay, fine I don't care but I make sure I'm there and that we stay out of the way. Most of the times it's easier to take the seller out to luch, breakfast, etc. while the inspection is going on.
My main concern about inspections: Some things that worked perfectly before the inspection have problems after. I'm not sure that all the "certified" inspectors out there really know what they are doing with all the home systems. Why would a toilet run constantly after the inspection when you never had a problem with it before.
Do I need to leave for the home inspection today?
we sold our house! Yay! the inspection is today, I have 2 kids and 2 dogs that we would have to basically drive around in the car for 3 hours and wait, can I just stay home and out of the way? What is normally done?
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