Buy My First Home

SHOULD BUYER BE THERE?  For Home Inspections

Buying a home is, for many people, the single most important investment they will make in a lifetime.  It represents the place you intend to live for many years to come or an investment that you hope to see a good return on.  For this reason it is very important to hire a fully qualified home inspection company.  There are many excellent home inspectors and some that are not.  It is always a good idea to ask your real estate agent, friends or family to recommend one.

Recently I was asked if it is important for the buyer to come to a home inspection.  As a real estate agent giving advice to a client on the subject, it is always advised that one or all buyers be present at least for the last thirty minutes of the inspection.  The reason for this is relatively simple really.  When you read in a report, for example, “The concrete path on the north side of the house is cracked and may allow water to enter the walls and foundation.”.  Well what would you think having read that statement?  Without visually seeing what is being stated it can be subject to “interpretation” based on what the reader understands, or doesn’t. .  In a report from an inspector they report what is observable without an analysis of the relative importance of any item noted.  When you are there at the inspection, or ideally for the last half hour, the inspector often verbally puts it into perspective.

That example can be really major and a big concern.  It could be a little tiny crack that is not near any sprinklers or source of constant water intrusion. It may require completely ripping up old concrete and replacing with new concrete. It may require very little patching or sealing making it not an issue to worry over or to try to negotiate the seller repairing.

Seeing, and hearing the explanation, of what is found is essential to really understanding the severity of what is being reported

There are other reasons why it is advised to have one or all of the buyers present.  The buyer should meet his inspector and establish a working relationship with that inspector so that later calls can be made freely if needed to get more information or clarify things in the report or for recommendations regarding repair work.

It is important to do your inspection and be there to see what comes up!  Then it is clear what is priority, what can be easily repaired, what things you should try to negotiate getting the seller to repair or not.

Tomi Lyn Bowling

CA Real Estate Broker 01145550