Should Seller Be Present for Home Inspection?
In today’s world, it’s always essential to conduct an inspection before selling a house. An inspection helps in identification of prominent issues that have to be addressed immediately. But, while sellers consider inspections important, they need to avoid their presence during home inspection checks.
You may think why sellers should avoid their presence after all it’s their home that they are selling right, but guys that’s not the case and in this article, we willl cover why sellers should avoid being present at the time of an inspection. You will also know why you must hire a professional to deal with the house inspection process.
Home Inspection is Mainly Done for House Quality Assurance
Ideally, a seller should not be present during an inspection although there is no legal constraints but one needs to always keep in mind that the home inspection is for the homebuyer’s benefit and they need to check if what they are buying is worth that money or not. The seller can quote a higher price when the issues are fixed after an inspection which is their legal right.
Most of the time, the cash buyer gets in touch with a professional company to evaluate the property’s condition. He can then identify the issues and think about a solution. The inspection also gives a clear idea about the home’s actual condition. Moreover, when the seller is present, it can make the person feel awkward. This is because the buyer may not be open to state his or her concern and this is why sellers should step aside when a home inspection is carried out.
Why Should Sellers Let an Expert conduct inspection?
Everything is actually transparent when an expert or an organization conducts home inspection. This is due to the fact that there’s no interference from the seller’s end. While trained and experienced experts conduct an inspection, they offer an accurate report. But, if the seller is present, then he is likely to justify issues. This can eventually make the buyer uncomfortable till the end.
Now, when a buyer hires a professional, he will roam around the property without interference. The home inspection may be incomplete if the pressure is laid from the seller’s end. Hence, it’s better to allow the inspector to do his job without any explanations from the seller.
As the professionals conduct the inspection independently, everything seems fair and impartial. This can enable smoother sale with less disputes on the final inspection report.
Checkout our blog on Can you sell your house during probate.
Seller Presence During Home Inspection can be irritating but why?
Sellers are likely to backfire when they are present during a home inspection. Most of the time, the sellers will defend themselves when the professional reveals problems. For instance, if the seller is living for quite some time, then he can react in a negative manner to some issues. He may react in a different way when the inspector spots issues like plumbing defects, poor roofing conditions, need of upgrade in flat roof components or more. This can bring in discomfort for the buyers.
In some situations, the seller is also likely to hide certain problems when the professional is by his side. Cash House Buyers will then notice this and may confirm whether there are any other hidden issues. They may also not consider the seller honest during the inspection. In case the seller is present all the time, then the buyer will not settle on the deal. This can lead to losing opportunities and not closing the sale. So, for a smooth transaction, it’s better not to get involved when the expert is conducting an inspection.
Disadvantages of Seller’s Presence During Home Inspection
There are many disadvantages of the seller being present during the home inspection process. Let’s check these one after the other.
Discomfort to the buyer
Whenever a seller is present during home inspection, the buyers may hesitate to ask questions. They may hold themselves because concerns can upset the seller. This leads to little discussion between the professional and the buyer.
Conflicts
Sellers will always tend to defend themselves if certain issues are prominent. This can lead to conflicts and instill a negative impression in the mind of the buyer. So, when it’s time to close the deal, it may become tough to negotiate on the price.
Perception of Dishonesty
If the seller is trying to hide certain issues, the buyer may be under the impression that there are more problems than ever. This can bring in many doubts and the buyer may back out. He will then think twice before purchasing the house.
Unbearable Pressure
When home professionals are trained to conduct inspections, the seller’s interference can lead to discomfort. Professionals may feel the pressure to downplay certain issues. Hence, they will present an unbiased or incomplete inspection report.
Risk of losing a sale
Eventually, the buyer will feel uncomfortable when the professional is inspecting the house. He may then just walk away and also not think about closing the deal.
Tips for Sellers who wish to attend the inspection
Being a cash house buyer in Houston we are sharing tips for sellers who want to be present at the home inspection site..
1. Trust the Process
As an inspection is a part of the selling process, it’s for making the buyer and seller feel secure. So, the seller has to trust that the inspector is fair while carrying out the inspection.
2. Communicate Well in Advance
If the seller has some concerns, then he has to speak up only before the inspection process. Beyond this, he should also be able to present certain documents. These will make the inspector understand whether the house has undergone any repairs.
3. Avoid following the inspector
If you think that you need to be present, then think about staying away from the eyes of the inspector. You can probably sit inside a room that the expert is not inspecting all the time. Moreover, the seller must not follow the buyer or the inspector when he’s roaming around the house.
4. Be Honest
If you are asked about the property’s overall condition, then think of being honest. Trying to hide some issues can affect you in the long run. The buyer will also be dissatisfied if he comes to know about the hidden issues.
5. Allow the buyers to speak freely
Even when the inspection is in progress, the buyer may have some concerns. So, you must allow the buyer to communicate openly, without getting conscious about anything.
So, by following the above tips, sellers can ensure that the inspection is carried out smoothly. Buyers, on the other hand, will also feel comfortable before they sign or close the deal.
Final Point to remember
Finally, we would like to state that the seller should never be present at any instance when it’s possible during an inspection. He should also not disturb or interrupt the inspector when he is conducting the inspection. To sum it up, he should trust the professional because he has years of experience. If you are a seller looking to sell your house fast in Houston then contact us today to get a fair price.
