Jerry:

The sellers are almost never at my inspections. Even if they are there when I arrive, after a short exchange of pleasantries with me, they usually opt to take there cat to have its teeth flossed, or anything to get out of there.

I will not ever rely upon an agent to grant authority for anything. They are only an "agent" in the sense that they are representing one side or the other in a property sale. They almost never have a full-blown power of attorney.

If it will damage something, anything, or if I have to move something, anything, then it is inaccessible. Period.

Aaron