Question on Home Inspection (for sale by owner, condo, house) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

smaug20000 · 10-01-2008, 12:36 PM

We have a contract on our condo, and the home inspection is Friday. We are the seller, and I am assuming we aren't present at the inspection because I believe the buyers do that with the inspector and their agent. Our nanny usually hangs out at our place with the 2 children, but I am going to ask her to let the people in for the inspection then take the children to the park. Then the buyer's agent is going to have to call her cellphone or set a designated time for the nanny to come back home. Does this sound ok or should a homeowner be available in case they need to find the switches and things or is it ok for a homeowner to be accessible by cellphone? Sorry for the stupid questions, but I've never sold before, and we are in the odd position of doing FSBO because I put an ad in Craigslist, and it got an offer in a week.

Btw, my nanny is a law student in DC taking classes. She is originally from Florida. So she is capable of carrying out any instructions that she is given. I'm just adding this in case anyone thinks it might be an issue with language problems and such.

HEATHER72 · 10-01-2008, 12:52 PM

I wouldn't be at the house during the inspection. Just let the realtor know to call you via cell if there are any questions.

handy man88 · 10-01-2008, 01:12 PM

You can be home for this, but it's generally not recommended since some sellers get defensive in case an inspector has a poor opinion about something. Limit interaction with buyers.

For the most part, your realtor should be there to represent you.

smaug20000 · 10-01-2008, 01:24 PM

We don't have a realtor since we are doing for sale by owner. But I think we'll do as suggested and leave a phone number, but not be present since as you said, they will want to talk about us I'm sure.

handy man88 · 10-01-2008, 01:30 PM

Or, you can just wait outside the condo down in the lobby while this happens.

The last thing you want to do is to jeopardize the sale of your condo based on any sort of misunderstanding.

A good step would have been for you to hire your own inspector to check out the condo first and then get those things fixed before putting it up for sale, and presenting this report to serious buyers.

HEATHER72 · 10-01-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smaug20000

We don't have a realtor since we are doing for sale by owner. But I think we'll do as suggested and leave a phone number, but not be present since as you said, they will want to talk about us I'm sure.

I'm talking about the buyer's realtor

Margery · 10-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Usually neither the seller nor the seller's agent is present during the home inspection. The buyer's realtor will call you if they have any questions. If the buyer asks for any repairs, they must give you the part of the inspection report that refers to that need for repairs.

Erma · 10-01-2008, 03:22 PM

I attended both inspections and I'm glad I did! When I was at the inspection for the house we were buying, the inspector thought the water heater was new, when in fact the data plate on the heater said it was 5 years old. Believe me....be there, it could save you alot of money.

Margery · 10-01-2008, 04:04 PM

By all means, buyers should attend the home inspection. I think her original question was should the seller be there.

bungalowmo · 10-02-2008, 09:04 AM

When I was buying, I met my inspector there & followed her everywhere through the house. There were no agents there...seller or buyer.

Be available by phone if they have questions, but don't leave that task to the nanny, it's not her house.