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Trying to be proactive, I'm starting to narrow down my list of home inspectors for this area. Most are local contractors that inspect homes for extra money or to maintain their association with the recommending Realtors. However, there is one from outside the area, does nothing but inspect homes, is a 9 year ASHI member (only one in this area) and seems very professional. While speaking with him regarding his rates, he said very bluntly I do not want you at the property while I inspect it. I'll coordinate with your Realtor to gain access, not you. Uhh.....do what?
I understand his reasoning, I guess. He doesn't want a seller following him around asking questions, but on the flip side.....couldn't he just fabricate a good portion of the inspection? It sort of made me uncomfortable and wanted to know if this is common or an indicator of an Inspector to avoid.
Wait, he doesn't want the buyer or the seller present?
I'd, as an agent, insist that if my buyer CAN be present, they are. It's an important part of the inspection. If they needed to be kept from distracting the inspector from his job, I'd be there and perform cat herding duties, as necessary, but if there are problems, they need to be shown what they are.
I've never heard of an inspector not wanting the buyer, the one who's writing the check, present.
As for not wanting the seller there, well, lots of sellers like to argue with the professional's findings as he's doing the finding. That I can understand.
they will not want the seller there, unless you are doing a pre-inspection and paying for it. Otherwise, it's the buyers inspection, not yours and it's on their dime. They are not even required to give you a copy of the report.
I'm not clear. Does he not want buyer or seller or either present? If I as a buyer were paying for an inspection I'd be allowed to be there or I'd find another inspector.
The OP is unclear, are you a buyer or seller?
Is this a pre-listing home inspection that you are doing as a seller?
Without those answers, it's hard to address the post.
In general, who ever is hiring the inspector should be allowed to be present.
In most cases, the buyer hires the inspector and the buyer is usually present during the inspection. Typically, the seller is not present.
In some cases the seller's (listing) agent is present during the inspection but it's not typical.
Doesn't want you present at all? Or just for the physical inspection itself?
I wasn't present for the initial phase of my inspection. My agent let the inspector in and he spent several hours going over the house. I didn't have any strong desire to be there following him around as he crawled around in the attic, or went up on the roof, etc.
When he was finished he called me at work and I met him at he house where he spent another few hours going over his findings, explaining potential problems, showing me how some of the systems I was unfamiliar with worked, and generally answering any and all questions I had.
Quote:
Originally Posted by middle-aged mom
Some inspectors also prefer the buyer not be present because they do not want to educate them about the house.
What reason would an inspector have for that? Laziness? Liability? Isn't that a part of what they get paid for?
Last edited by DubbleT; 10-13-2009 at 09:29 AM..
Reason: question
Doesn't want you present at all? Or just for the physical inspection itself?
I wasn't present for the initial phase of my inspection. My agent let the inspector in and he spent several hours going over the house. I didn't have any strong desire to be there following him around as he crawled around in the attic, or went up on the roof, etc. When he was finished he called me at work and I met him at he house where he spent another few hours going over his findings, explainingpotential problems, showing me how some of the systems I was unfamiliar with worked, and generally answering any and all questions I had.
This is not the norm in most areas, unless the buyer is willing to pay for the extra time.
Our ASHI inspector actually preferred the buyer to be there because he thought it helped the buyer get a better picture of issues. "See how this looks? It's not an immediate issue, but it's something you should think about in a few years and this shows you why."
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