Do I Need To Be There For A Home Inspection?

If the future holds a home selling or buying experience for you, then a home inspection is likely on your radar. And that’s for good reason–it’s not a piece of the home buying or selling process to miss! But do you actually need to be present for the home inspection? Should you be?

What Is A Home Inspection?

Unlike a showing or a quick walk-through, which is deliberately set up to show off the high points above all else, a home inspection has a more practical aim–to ensure that the home and property are in good working order and to clue a potential buyer into anything that could pose an issue down the road. A home inspector is an unbiased third party who is simply there to shed light on the more utilitarian underbelly of the home and property. In the end, it boils down to safety and legal compliance. 

At Keystone Home Inspection we provide a full suite of inspection services, and are always ready to discuss results. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the home, prior to purchase. We aren’t out to sway a buyer one way or the other, or to warn a seller. We are truly neutral and systematic in our approach, checking every area of the home for integrity and safety.

Can The Seller Be Present For A Home Inspection?

This can be a thorny topic. The truthful, direct answer is that yes, a seller can be present–no one has the right to prevent them. However, should they be? Some may argue that there are valid reasons for a seller to be present at a home inspection. These can include the simple fact that it is still their property and they have the right to be there. However, if they have animals on the premises, need to provide the inspector access to an area, or need to provide background information or paperwork, then logistical reasons may dictate that they remain on-site during the inspection. 

That said, most inspectors, buyers, and real estate agents might prefer that, ideally, the seller is not present. And there are some simple reasons why. First of all, it is the buyer who pays for the inspector’s services, not the seller. Having the seller along for the inspection could lead to distraction and extraneous chitchat and the buyer feeling as though they were not free to ask their own questions and raise their concerns to the inspector.

For instance, a simple question from the buyer to the inspector about whether a utility could be redirected due to changes they’d like to make to the home could spark conflict if the seller is present. A seller may take it personally that the buyer is already thinking of changing their beloved home. A seller may also unintentionally try to downplay the inspector’s findings, or they may just eat up time and bandwidth by asking questions and making comments. The buyer may also simply feel uncomfortable and unable to ask honest answers of the inspector if the seller is present. 

More often than not, due to a seller’s likely emotional attachment to their home, having them present at the home inspection is not seen as a good or recommended idea. A buyer could even be turned off to the point that they feel uncomfortable making the purchase, since the seller’s actions could come across as an attempt to distract or hide. Whether or not this is the case, it could work against the seller’s goals for them to be present at the home inspection, since they may end up defending or glossing over issues. Instead of having the space to feel like the home’s next owner, the buyer could end up feeling like a guest and have a hard time picturing their life in the home. That is not what a seller wants.

Can The Buyer Be Present For A Home Inspection?

Yes, of course the buyer can be present, and in fact, we agree with other home inspection experts who recommend that they should be! It is the buyer after all who pays for our services, so they certainly have the right to be present. But more than that, what they can learn from spending time with the inspector during a home inspection can be invaluable. 

Walking through the home with the inspector can naturally bring up topics or questions that the buyer may not ask otherwise. Context is everything, and some information they may glean during the inspection may not be included in the report or may not make sense when read out of context. Especially if this is a first-time home buyer, attending the inspection is a must. They will be able to learn where key utility access points and shut-off valves are in the home, along with being alerted to potential issues or repair needs and maintenance protocol. You can also express your own personal concerns and get real-time feedback from an experienced inspector as to whether something is worth worrying about. If you skip your home inspection, you miss out on the opportunity to get an expert’s in-person viewpoint.

A buyer who is present at their home inspection will be able to make a better informed purchasing decision. This one-of-a-kind opportunity to ask every question imaginable will not come again prior to closing. It’s also a time to ask about the estimated life span of various elements of the home and get well-informed answers about when you may need to replace them. A home inspection also affords you the time to revisit an area if you have a specific, nagging concern. 

Once your curiosity has been satisfied, the home inspection also serves another important purpose–when you are there without the seller, you can see yourself as the owner. You can picture your belongings in the space and start to imagine yourself and your family living there. You can imagine how you will use the entire property and whether or not it truly fits your needs and preferences. The inspection may be the only time you’re afforded the opportunity to spend unhurried, unpressured time in the space.

If for some unavoidable reason the buyer cannot attend the home inspection, such as the inability to get time off of work, or it being too far away, know that all the relevant details will be included in the inspector’s report. But there really isn’t anything like being able to ask questions on the spot. Definitely find a way to be there if you can. For those buyers looking for extra credit, a little preparation doesn’t hurt either. Bring a notepad or a way to record digital thoughts and images. Record the answers to your specific questions and notate anything you want to discuss with your real estate agent or the seller. Be an active participant in the inspection to get the most benefit from your investment.

All that being said, we do have one final but important note: the buyer and inspector are not always side by side or together during an inspection. The inspector is there to do a pretty serious job after all. So while they are more than happy to field questions and share pointers, too much discussion can become distracting and disruptive. It’s all about balance.

Who Should Not Be Present For A Home Inspection?

We’ve already discussed whether a seller should be present, and that a buyer should definitely be at the home inspection, but what about others? A buyer may want to bring friends, relatives, or their buying agent to the home inspection. They are paying for the inspection, and this certainly is their right, but it generally isn’t recommended to bring third parties to a home inspection. 

Family members, such as parents or siblings, may want to tag along, but too much discussion and too many opinions can be distracting for the inspector and the buyer alike. Asking a contractor to come along so that the buyer can get a jump on remodeling or repair quotes could sound like a good idea initially, but again, it could lead to discussions that are distracting or off topic and waste this valuable time and opportunity. The buyer’s realtor may see some value in attending the home inspection, but the seller’s agent probably should not be there. There is always the opportunity for unwelcome pressuring or negating potential issues if someone representing the seller’s interests is present. 

Cleveland Home Inspection Services

When you’re looking to buy a home and you schedule a home inspection, the goal is to get a factual and unbiased opinion, and that’s precisely what you’ll get when you work with the expert team at Keystone Home Inspection. We offer convenient online scheduling in Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake counties and are ready to help you learn everything you don’t already know about your dream home. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and to plan an inspection of your own.