TOPIC: How much time do you spend on an Inspection

I consider the client to be the process Ray, and there to answer their questions.  Also, I will not go into a property without an agent present.  I am posting something about that soon.

Look forward to linking with you.  Lemmino when you are ready!

I consider the client to be the process Ray, and there to answer their questions.  Also, I will not go into a property without an agent present.  I am posting something about that soon.

Look forward to linking with you.  Lemmino when you are ready!

Each to their own I suppose, but It's just so time consuming when they follow you around like lost sheep, often getting in the way and asking irrelevant question every 20 seconds. 

I prefer to do a 'walk around' after the inspection, when they have their printed copy of the report to relate to and where I cover all the defective and marginal issues, including their questions.  Also, if I refused to go into a property without an agent present, I might as well shut up shop now! 

Infact, many agents here will not attend the inspection at all, because the Lawyers tell them that if there is a bad call by the inspector and they were present, they also become liable to prosecution.  That's why my E&O also protects the realtor too.

The website is getting close to what I want it to be, so I'll keep you posted.

I consider the client to be the process Ray, and there to answer their questions.  Also, I will not go into a property without an agent present.  I am posting something about that soon.

Look forward to linking with you.  Lemmino when you are ready!

Each to their own I suppose, but It's just so time consuming when they follow you around like lost sheep, often getting in the way and asking irrelevant question every 20 seconds. 

I prefer to do a 'walk around' after the inspection, when they have their printed copy of the report to relate to and where I cover all the defective and marginal issues, including their questions.  Also, if I refused to go into a property without an agent present, I might as well shut up shop now! 

Infact, many agents here will not attend the inspection at all, because the Lawyers tell them that if there is a bad call by the inspector and they were present, they also become liable to prosecution.  That's why my E&O also protects the realtor too.

The website is getting close to what I want it to be, so I'll keep you posted.

This seems to be a common trend by agents in Arizona as I've had quite a few inspectors tell me the same thing. They just don't show.

I consider the client to be the process Ray, and there to answer their questions.  Also, I will not go into a property without an agent present.  I am posting something about that soon.

Look forward to linking with you.  Lemmino when you are ready!

Each to their own I suppose, but It's just so time consuming when they follow you around like lost sheep, often getting in the way and asking irrelevant question every 20 seconds. 

I prefer to do a 'walk around' after the inspection, when they have their printed copy of the report to relate to and where I cover all the defective and marginal issues, including their questions.  Also, if I refused to go into a property without an agent present, I might as well shut up shop now! 

Infact, many agents here will not attend the inspection at all, because the Lawyers tell them that if there is a bad call by the inspector and they were present, they also become liable to prosecution.  That's why my E&O also protects the realtor too.

The website is getting close to what I want it to be, so I'll keep you posted.

I agree todays inspection there will be no agent and my client is in Japan if I was doing that way no agent no inspection I would have to close up as well.

This thread has really gotten me thinking for the past couple of days. 

I guess I am a little surprised that agents don't show up to inspections.  I can't get into a house without one anyway.  Sometimes there are combo boxes I can enter, but I don't go in without the agent, as I said.  No home inspectors I have ever spoken with out here will do it either.

Also, I am more than surprised, but shocked really, that clients would not be at the inspection, unless there is a geographic reason for their not being there.  When they aren't I want the agent to see everything - the agent is just that, the client's advocate and agent!  But the clients are the process.  The inspection is not the process, in my opinion.  We are there to teach them about the house, show them the house, explain to them where things are in the house, etc.  Almost 20 years ago I went and got an advanced degree in education because I thought it would make me a better home inspector!  I think it has.  But I did that because I think the clients are the process!

Again, in my opinion of course, I think education during the inspection is probably 30% of our business.  If you ignore it, or discount it, I think, you are opening yourself up to the litigation daggers out there.  I had a post some time ago about that 30%, as a part of marketing our businesses:

www.homeinspectorpro.com/inspector-forum...c=25.msg1071#msg1071

I pick doctors, for myself and my wife, who are physicians.  The word "physician" means "teacher."  If I go to a doctor who doesn't want to be bothered by me, or answer questions, I get another one.  The physician is supposed to teach you enough about your condition that you are able to make an informed decision about your care.  Anything else is third world.

To me, the home inspection process is the same.  We are there to teach buyers enough about the house that they are able to make an informed decision about the purchase.  A little walk around after the "inspection," to me, is slighting the buyer.

I'm not trying to tell anyone else how to run their businesses, but you cannot sway me from my thinking.  I have been doing this a long time and have a huge client base, much of which has followed me around for decades.  They keep coming back for a reason.  I did one the other day for a guy I did an inspection for 15 years ago.  Over the phone, he said he remembered two things -- my report and book, and how I spent time with him explaining things during the inspection.  He said, "You are a teacher, and I really liked that." 

My first Realtor client in April 1981 still calls.  That says a lot to me.

I also encourage client questions with the phrase, "The only dumb question is the one you don't ask so please feel free to ask anything.  If I don't know the answer, I will tell you, and not B.S. you."  That opens the door to a friendly and symbiotic relationship.  I WANT repeat business!  And I get it.

So, that's where my thinking has gotten me.  Pretty much to where I was before this thread was started.  I doubt I will change much...  well, except trying to get better.

Well said Jay. To not have the clients on the inspection is dangerous. The inspector just needs to know how to maintain control of the inspection. If that is done, the client will not slow you down.