Attending home inspection as a buyer…do or don’t?

Depending on the size of the house and the scope of the inspection, the home inspection process often takes several hours to complete. Most home inspectors will meet with a client at the conclusion of the inspection to review the findings.

If you are concerned about thoroughness, I would recommend talking with realtors, mortgage lenders, etc., and get referrals for a hone inspector that fits your criteria.

I did. The inspector won't tell you anything that they wouldn't be allowed to put in a report, but in my experience it was very helpful to see what exactly he was inspecting and describing. In one case we backed out of a purchase because of something he found and ended up being a deal breaker. It probably wouldn't have had the same impact to read it in a report vs seeing the severity in person

Absolutely. I wouldn’t buy a house without being present for the inspection. The guy who did ours was great. Very experienced and took me around showing me all the things he noted. He gave me an honest opinion on what was really worth bringing up to the sellers to mitigate and what was an easy cheap fix for me.

If you're available, I can't think of any reason not to be there.

Most people are more thorough with someone watching them do their job.

And you're more likely to look at things that you probably wouldn't otherwise.

It's now or never when it comes to getting any value for something that you don't know about. The "bill of sale" has pages full of "AS IS".

I typically don’t, because I am not interested in influencing the home inspector’s feedback. Most will find what you want them to find, if you are there. I am not the kind of guy to nitpick. I am only concerned with major stuff that is hidden, and that is what I want him to find.

FWIW, I typically find that lady inspectors will notice stuff that men don’t…

Ask for recommendations and interview the inspector so you know they have the experience you are looking for. What area? Up here where we sit on rock, you really should do radon testing, and it's easy.

A good inspector will give you clear findings with photos that make it easy to do repair requests and confirm they are done, if your offer includes repairs and a time period to get them done. Be there if you want but if you follow them around you'll slow them down. I like to be there in case they point out something big, and to do my own inspection in parallel.

If they spend half their time walking around with a moisture meter declaring there are issues when you're in humid LA and in an older house, they are an idiot.

I would.

The inspector might take a liking to you; and he already has a interest in getting more referral work from the agent. In my experience the HI really doesn't want to tank too many sells. So being there can only help you read between the lines... which will be well worded.

Who suggested yours?

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Just went under contract on an older home and want to be sure that a very thorough inspection is completed and nothing is just brushed over.

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Define "older".

We bought a 90-year old home, and we were told by century-home forums to have an experienced electrician, experienced plumber, and 1-2 general inspectors come through at some point.

Our plumber immediately found that the house needed underground pipe work done, and it was dire. This was able to be used during price negotiations, although admittedly our seller was stubborn and it didn't help all that much.

Funny enough, we had all these different people inspecting the house and they still missed that the central A/C was bad (it was February and cold). It technically worked, as in turned on and whatnot, but it did not blow well at all into any of the bedrooms due to awful duct work.

We did not learn of this until the sale had been done, and we soon learned that the seller had removed the window units they had in each bedroom while the house was on the market. Full out deception, but nothing you can do once you own the home.

So, yeah. I'd recommend being there, and also getting people who specialize in certain areas if you're worried about them.

I’ll tell you now, the home inspectors working for the bank will overlook A lot of shite and call it good for a house sale. If you’re too honest an inspector? You won’t be an inspector too long. My advice, get your own home inspector, and hire someone to perform an energy audit on the home. Look at the roof, attic etc. spend several hours in the home in the summer. That’s how you find problems

"My very good family friend is my realtor and she recommended him."
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Your good friend does NOT want him to find anything that will blow the sale.

But, you're paying for the inspection. Be there!