The seller owns the home, and can stay during inspection if they want. It's more common for them to not be there.
They can move around the house and look for the issues anywhere and everywhere in order to perform a thorough home inspection. With this, if the buyer wants to ask questions from the inspector they can also do that without any formality. However, the seller is not completely barred from their house during inspection.
Should the buyer be at the inspection? In a nutshell, home buyers are always encouraged to attend a home inspection because they need to know as much as possible about the home, and may have several questions to ask. However, it isn't mandatory. If you can't get time off work, don't worry.
Showing your home to potential buyers is an essential part of the home selling process. While you might want to stay home and observe the showings, leaving while potential buyers are there is usually the best idea.
Unlike the buyer, who might have to attend the closing to sign original loan documents delivered by the lender, you, as the seller, might not need to attend.
You are not required to leave, but there are plenty of reasons that say you should not be present during showings. These reasons include the buyers feeling crowded, coming off as desperate, and the chance that you might get taken advantage of. Raise the chances of your home being sold by being absent during showings.
Neither the buyer nor the seller needs to be present for the appraisal.
Yes, it's a good idea to walk around with the home inspector during the inspection. It allows you to see any issues first-hand and ask questions about any concerns. Many home inspectors will also provide tips on maintaining and caring for your new home.
While the buyer isn't required to attend the inspection, it is certainly in their best interest to do so. Being on-site during the inspection gives the buyer an opportunity to discuss the inspector's findings and to ask questions.
Water damage can be the most expensive of all the major issues a home inspection may encounter because it can cause so much damage.
Common Home Inspection Deal-Breakers
Inspectors look for curling, broken, or missing shingles, which may indicate the need for repair or replacement. Rotten wood, uneven areas, or water stains inside the house could point to deeper issues, like leaks or poor installation.
According to some industry professionals, around 1 in 10 home sales fall through after the inspection. This statistic can vary regionally and depend on factors such as the age of the homes in the area. But nationally, about 10-15% of buyers decide to walk away from a purchase contract because of inspection findings.
Top reasons homes fail inspection
An aging, damaged or deteriorating roof. Missing flashing or shingles. Damaged siding. Rotted wood.
A realtor will be as interested as you are in the state of the home they are helping you buy. Your realtor may take notes on issues found during the inspection. By being present for the inspection, the realtor will fully understand what they are writing up if a repair request is sent to the current homeowner.
Most home inspectors are happy to have a person or two on the home inspection with them, but be careful about having a rotating door during the inspection. Oftentimes, we want to kill two (or three) birds with one stone and get everyone into the house at the same time.
The seller owns the home, and can stay during inspection if they want. It's more common for them to not be there.
Your home inspector will physically crawl under the home to inspect the foundation, the floor structure, the wallstructure, the ceiling or sub-floor structure, and more. Crawlspace inspections allow your home inspector to see and visually inspect a number of systems beneath the home.
Just keep your communication to the appraiser about the facts of the home and neighborhood, how you priced the house, and any other relevant information you think the appraiser should know. And remember, don't discuss value. Don't pressure the appraiser to 'hit the value' and you'll be fine.
If you're refinancing, in most cases, your lender is required to provide a copy of the report to you. If you're selling your home, you typically won't receive a copy of the appraisal report, but you can ask the homebuyer to share it.
To that end, many appraisers believe that any communication with individuals involved in the transaction — including real estate agents — is unlawful. However, the Bureau Chief of California's Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) debunked this view in a recent BREA newsletter.
Whether listing agents regularly attend showings depends on the market, the price of the home and the particular agent. The biggest negative to having the listing agent present during a showing is that it can make prospective buyers feel uncomfortable.
Deep cleaning
This is the most crucial step. From the kitchen counters and the toilets to the hardwood floors, make sure that everything is sparkling. Do not forget to take out the trash and dust the fireplace mantle. Also, make sure that all toiletries have been tucked into the medicine cabinet.
If you're interested in taking photos during a viewing, the best approach is to ask for permission beforehand. If the seller or agent has no objections, you can take photos as you tour the house. However, if the seller or agent prohibits photos, it's crucial to respect their wishes.