Tips for real estate agents

The homebuyer pays the inspection fee when they arrive at the inspection or they can pre-pay for it by card online. Let your client know the average fee is around $425. Remind your clients that the fee is minimal when compared to the value they will receive with a good inspection. 

Explain to homebuyers that the inspection is visual only, meaning inspectors do not move seller belongings or "see through walls". The inspection is a "snapshot in time" and things can change. A home inspection will reduce some of the risks of buying a home however it cannot eliminate it. Things will likely wear out and break unexpectedly. Encourage your clients to explore various home warranty options and to evaluate the home thoroughly at the final walkthrough.  If you client wants to know specific details on what the home inspection includes and what is excluded, refer them to the standards of practice. 

The inspection can be scheduled by phone, text, or email. The buyer's agent typically schedules the inspection as he or she can better coordinate it with everyone's schedule. The owner of the home, their family, and their pets should not be present at the home during the inspection. The home buyer should be asked to attend, towards the end of the inspection.  They will receive a summary of the inspection, can pay the fee, and spend time exploring the home.  Agents should supervise their clients (and all the people they may bring with them) as they explore the home to prevent property damage, theft etc..

The listing agent should make sure the following are readily accessible before the inspection: furnace, attic entry ladder or ceiling hatch, water heater, breaker panel, crawl space, and kitchen stove (remove all pots and pans from it). The inspector will not be moving any of the stored items and furniture in a home. The home should be "show ready" meaning clean and de-cluttered. The home owner should lock up or remove jewelry, money, drugs, and guns before the inspection. The home owner should be told the inspeciton will take about 3 hours. Some home owners want to be present, however this is not a good idea because 1) they get in the way 2) the buyer of the home needs to be able to explore the home without being followed 3) the inspector needs the freedom to talk to the buyer and their agent without being eavesdropped on.  Also, there is no need for the listing agent to be there as the inspector will not discuss the inspection findings with them. However, the listing agent is more than welcome to show up when everyone has left the home to ensure the home is properly locked up, the stove is off etc..

The agent has the option scheduling a followup inspection if their client is willing to pay the additional fee. For example, say the inspector found a leak under the home during the home inspection which you have asked to be repaired. The home buyer may want proof that it was repaired through a followup inspection. The original report will be updated as well. I usually charge $200 for followup inspections. 

Listing agents should encourage their clients to have a pre-listing inspection on the home they are selling. This is a home inspection for the seller to know about any major issues early on in the selling process rather than last minute, weeks before closing.