The Pros of Letting the Seller Attend Home Inspection

Let’s start with the bright side of letting the sellers attend a home inspection.

They Can Answer Questions

One of the biggest advantages of letting the seller present during the inspection is that they can answer questions about the home.

Most of the time, when the inspector inspects a home, they find things, but they can’t explain their origins.

For example, if the inspector points out a patch in the ceiling, the seller can explain that it was professionally repaired after a minor leak. Or maybe there is another reason behind that patch. All of this will help avoid unnecessary alarm for the buyer.

Additionally, being present allows the seller to clarify the details that might not be apparent from the documentation alone, such as the age of appliances or recent updates to the home. With such transparency, your trust as a buyer can be kept transparent, and the inspection process will end up being more efficient by reducing misunderstandings.

They Can Provide Documents

This second benefit is related to the first one. Suppose your home seller is present during the inspection. They can provide you with the manuals, receipts, and other home documents – whatever is needed. Yes, the realtor usually asks the seller for documents after the inspection. However, it would be more beneficial if the seller provided it during the inspection.

During the inspection process, if there comes a need for other documents (if there are any), the seller can present those then and there. Besides this, if the seller can provide proof of repair or warranty, that would be great for you as well.

Most of the inspectors call out for past repairs and ask if the seller can provide the actual documentation. This will also help in providing you with peace of mind.

They Can Get Rapport

Another major advantage of letting the seller attend home inspection is that they can get rapport with you. Most of the home inspectors have reported where the sellers get into warm conversations with the buyer. They would talk about their childhood, their family, their neighborhood, etc. Often, the seller has the backstory about the house for the buyer, which interests the buyer even more and builds transparency between them.

The Cons of Letting the Seller Attend Home Inspection

Now, let’s have a look at the cons of letting the seller attend the home inspection.

Home Inspector Doesn’t Want Them There

Most of the time, it’s not the buyer who doesn’t want the seller to be there but the home inspectors and realtors. They mostly don’t want them there. In fact, they usually hate it when the seller is there. Don’t worry; they won’t make it obvious to you or to the seller.

When the seller is there, it gets harder for the inspector to fully criticize the home. This is because the seller usually objects. So, when the seller is present, inspectors wait until the inspection is over. Once it is done, they take the buyer outside for a private conversation to give the buyer an unfiltered opinion.

They Start Over-Explaining and Being Defensive

Another con of sellers attending the home inspection is how they will start over-explaining issues or start being defensive about them. Homeowners are often emotionally attached to their property, and hearing an inspector point out flaws can trigger a defensive response.

Every seller wants to protect their home’s value. This is why, at times, they end up over-explaining minor issues. As a result, they unintentionally draw more attention to them (the issues). So, what could have been a small, easily fixable problem might end up sounding more serious. And the reason could be the seller’s heightened reaction. 

This defensiveness can make you feel skeptical or uneasy. In fact, it also leads to overestimating the severity of the problems and requesting unnecessary repairs. At a point, the buyer might also start to reconsider the deal altogether.

They May Disrupt the Inspector’s Workflow

This con is mostly overlooked, but it is there.

Inspectors follow a systematic approach to the home inspection process and thoroughly inspect your property. But if the seller is present, then they may interfere with this. Sellers might feel that they need to follow the inspector everywhere. They might think there is always a need to explain certain features or guide the inspector’s attention. However, all of this is not usually needed. In fact, this might interrupt their focus and slow down the inspection process. 

Also, in case the seller is overly involved, the inspector might feel pressured. Most of the time, the inspector starts rushing things and ends up overlooking potential issues. So, the best way to get a thorough inspection is to stay away from it. This helps the inspector to work efficiently and thoroughly. As a result, it ensures an accurate and thorough evaluation of your home. 

Conclusion

Even though having the seller attend a home inspection has its own advantages, the potential downsides it can have often outweigh the benefits.

Sellers may offer useful information and documents, but their presence can also hurdle the inspector’s workflow, create tension, or even influence your perception in ways that might negatively impact negotiations.

So, for you – the buyer and even the seller, remember, the inspection process needs to be an objective evaluation. You need to give the inspector the space to conduct the inspection freely. This will make the inspection results more accurate and lead to a smoother path to close the deal.

Now, are you ready to make informed decisions about your home purchase? At GreenWorks Inspections, we provide comprehensive home inspection services designed to give you peace of mind. Our certified inspectors use the latest technology and expertise to thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your property, ensuring you understand its true condition before you buy. Don’t leave your investment to chance—schedule your home inspection with GreenWorks today and empower yourself with the knowledge you need for a successful home-buying experience! Contact us now to book your appointment.