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  1. #1
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    Default Home Inspection or Party?

    I have a new personal record for most people in attendance at one of my home inspections today. Including myself and the listing agent who opened the house, 13 people in attendance (8 adults and 5 kids). There might have actually been one more kid tho make it 14 people but there were so many I just couldn't keep track.

    Nobody was in my way or anything but what makes somebody think it's OK to invite this many people into a house which they don't even own yet? The kids were running around at the end of the inspection at which point the listing agent finally said something to the buyer but it was useless by then. He had this exasperated look on his face but I couldn't help but laugh about it.

    One of the things that was funny was the owners had signs up asking people to remove their shoes or put on the shoe booties they provided. Everything was white in the house (walls and carpet). But......they put out a basket of chocolates for visitors to snack on. HUH????????

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    I would have asked them how long they were expecting to be there where I could start my job.

    Nick, I'm real upfront with people and tell them when there is that many people present that it makes it for me to concentrate on doing my job which in turn might make me miss something of importance. Most get the hint and move on in a few minutes. I also tell them if they want to visit the home as such with their friends and family is to do that with the realtor as they would be happy to do it in thinking they may pick up some other clients.

    rick


  3. #3
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    I have a new personal record for most people in attendance at one of my home inspections today. Including myself and the listing agent who opened the house, 13 people in attendance (8 adults and 5 kids). There might have actually been one more kid tho make it 14 people but there were so many I just couldn't keep track.

    Nobody was in my way or anything but what makes somebody think it's OK to invite this many people into a house which they don't even own yet? The kids were running around at the end of the inspection at which point the listing agent finally said something to the buyer but it was useless by then. He had this exasperated look on his face but I couldn't help but laugh about it.

    One of the things that was funny was the owners had signs up asking people to remove their shoes or put on the shoe booties they provided. Everything was white in the house (walls and carpet). But......they put out a basket of chocolates for visitors to snack on. HUH????????
    Nothing gives them the right to enter the home. Only the parties involved in the actually transaction and even that becomes questionable.

    You are the one given permission to enter the home and perform an inspection and mutually known by all whether in writing or not the listing agent, buyers agen and client (being basically the couple or individual buying the home and at a stretch their kids (being a couple. That is already way too many people in a home when one is being expected to no influence what so ever in a home inspection.

    I would very honestly say nicely that I could not do the home inspection while there is a party going on. I am even going to push this a bit....I would not do the inspection that day.

    Lets talk of people roaming the home.....14 of them...all those kids.......in the sellers home while they are not there or even if they were. Who could keep track of all of them.

    I would sit down for a few minutes and when someone made mention of the inspection I would look at my watch and tell them that I would like to get started now and sit there some more. If they made mention again I would tell them I was about to leave because it is obvious that I cannot do the inspection that day.

    What ever it took I would be leaving shortly or they would be leaving. The Realtors involved should be banned from the business for even thinking of allowing that circus.

    Remember one thing. You are invited to perform a home inspection. Not to bring the church parish with you. In essence you are suppose to be the one in charge because it is your client. You afre doing the inspection and you make the rules for the inspection.

    Some folks scoff at that.....Scoff away...but then think about it very seriously. You are the ONE invited into the home to perform an inspection and the client is not the one that invited you.....the seller did. They gave YOU permission to perform an inspection on their home. It was not the client (buyer) it is not the clients home to be able to invite you into and for that matter the other 12 people or so.


  4. #4
    James Duffin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    I noticed in the original post there was no mention of a buyer agent being present. They should have been the one who controlled the circus IMHO. In NC the Offer to Purchase contract states that the buyer is responsible for all damage done during inspections and the buyer agent should have made them aware of that fact. I would have gone ahead and done the inspection since who was there was really not any of my concern.


  5. #5
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    You make some good points Ted. But I will say this. The listing agent is the one who opened the door and let everyody in and was there for the entire inspection. He should have said something from the get go. There's nothing in my contract that states I can limit the amount of people present. And around here, buyers attending the inspection is the norm. Bringing an additional 10+ people is not. It is few and far in between when I don't at the very least have the buyer present with me. Realtors will often times just open the house and ask the inspector to lock up.

    I do think I will have to make a mention to clients moving forward that they limit the amount of people present at the inspection to adults only who are involved in the sale of the house. At least then I might be able to avoid questioning and grilling from a concerned father or in-law.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Quote Originally Posted by James Duffin View Post
    I noticed in the original post there was no mention of a buyer agent being present. They should have been the one who controlled the circus IMHO. In NC the Offer to Purchase contract states that the buyer is responsible for all damage done during inspections and the buyer agent should have made them aware of that fact. I would have gone ahead and done the inspection since who was there was really not any of my concern.
    The buyer is a realtor and was representing himself.

    Last edited by Nick Ostrowski; 07-18-2010 at 05:55 AM. Reason: typo

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    During the inspection it is a time for intense scrutiny of the house and its systems and
    distractions can be detrimental to the process, so please limit the number of persons at the
    inspection to the buyer(s). If family, friends and children want to see the property it would be
    best to contact your agent to arrange that at a separate time.
    This is my notice to buyers when I send this out with the inspection agreement.
    It is part of a one page notice about needing the utilities on, moving storage in front of water heater, etc.
    It doesn't make everything perfect but does set the expectation.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  8. #8
    James Duffin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Then he has fool for a client!


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    I had a seller walk in on a similar scenario once.... he started laying into me in the garage about all the people. I quickly told him I didn't bring them with me and he might want to take it up with the agent inside. Within about 3 minutes I was alone with the agent and one buyer.

    Not that it makes it right but I can understand people getting excited about their new house and wanting to show all their friends. Like everything in the world, people rarely stop to think how their actions might be perceived by others.


  10. #10
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Quote Originally Posted by James Duffin View Post
    I noticed in the original post there was no mention of a buyer agent being present. They should have been the one who controlled the circus IMHO. In NC the Offer to Purchase contract states that the buyer is responsible for all damage done during inspections and the buyer agent should have made them aware of that fact. I would have gone ahead and done the inspection since who was there was really not any of my concern.

    I could care lees if the buyer comes the whole time and brings a kid or two. I always playfully make evil faces at the kids threatening them life and limb if they bother me or break anything (yes, kidding and they know it but it works)

    As far as 14 people being in a home while you are there and are liable for you and you findings and do need as absolutely as few people there as possible to throw you off as little as possible.

    This is not a circus performance or a gauge at how many people you have walking around and you walking around while trying to do a thorough and professional inspection. Of course they should be a concern and rightfully so but, hey, to each his on. I think it it was a disgrace to even consider bringing that many people. The Realtor, representing himself, should have scheduled a walk thru with his church parish another time.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    This is my notice to buyers when I send this out with the inspection agreement.
    It is part of a one page notice about needing the utilities on, moving storage in front of water heater, etc.
    It doesn't make everything perfect but does set the expectation.
    I like your notice Jim. Looks like a good inclusion to send along with my inspection agreement.


  12. #12
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    I honestly don't think the number of people make that much difference (unless they get in the inspectors way). I had 14 people at an inspection in the past, not including myself. 3 adults and 9 children, all under 10 years of age. The kids were well behaved and the entire inspection was translated by an 8 year old girl. Odd and time consuming, but it went well.

    On another inspection I had a a young couple and their two kids, the agent and myself. The kids were terrors and the parents did nothing about it. When I went to lock the house while leaving, the key was no longer in the front door. I looked around and couldn't find it. I called the agent and made everyone return to the house. The mother went directly to the back yard and found the key in the grass. She had watched her child remove it from the door and throw it in the back yard...and never said a word about it.

    MinnesotaHomeInspectors.com
    Minnesota Home Inspectors LLC
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  13. #13
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    I like your notice Jim. Looks like a good inclusion to send along with my inspection agreement.
    Your welcome to it, I probably stole it (or at least parts of it) from someone else on IN!

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    Jim,

    Don't live with that guilt! Say you borrowed it.

    rick


  15. #15
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    They say confession is good for the soul.
    I guess I could say I borrowed it without permission..

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  16. #16
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    Default Re: Home Inspection or Party?

    To quote Maxwell Q. Klinger........."stealing is such an ugly word. Why don't we say......creatively acquired".


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