Oh no, the homeowner is attending the inspection

 Given that a person's home is often their greatest financial asset, it’s not uncommon that homeowners want to attend the inspection. After all, if someone is going to be poking around in all the corners and closets, running water in the bathrooms, and turning the heat on and off, most of us would want to be there too. It’s typically best for homeowners to leave supervision of their home during the inspection to the real estate agent, but some are not satisfied in doing that. So, how do you handle a homeowner at the inspection?

First, never forget it’s their home, and we, the inspector, buyer, and agents, are all guests. While we do have a job to perform, we are visitors in their home and should not forget that. Being respectful of the homeowner's requests, questions, and instructions is important. Second, never forget that the homeowner has an interest in the sale, so buyers should always feel secure in talking privately with their inspector. Just because the homeowner is at the inspection does not make them part of the inspection.

Homeowners should be informed that while the inspection is about their house, the information discovered is for the buyer, and inspectors may not share their thoughts, even if asked. Most inspectors have a set routine to ensure that they look at everything required, so homeowners should not feel a need to show them around the house unless it is an unusual home with hidden areas. Homeowners are often eager to show inspectors the upgrades or improvements they have made over the years, not understanding that the inspector is there to evaluate the house in its current condition, and these conversations can be distracting or even red flags if they were DIY projects. 

After the inspection, many inspectors review or point out some of the issues they found, but while many homeowners may want to be a part of this conversation, they should not. The potential for the owner to become defensive or attempt to explain away a defect is high, and the danger of concessions without time to reflect or investigate can also happen on both sides of the transaction. 

 

It’s usually best for a homeowner to not attend the inspection however, if they do, they should be present but not a participant. Having time to evaluate their potential purchase is something every buyer should have the freedom to do without distraction.