Obviously, the main benefit for a buyer’s home inspection is to protect your client, but how do you benefit from the inspection? The biggest benefit for the agent is limiting liability. Most sellers do not intentionally fail to disclose historical problems or repairs. They simply forget about the things that occurred years ago.
A home inspection will help eliminate:
- Inaccurate or misunderstood disclosure statements
- False expectations held by the buyers
- Hidden surprises related to needed repairs, costly defects and safety risks
To limit your liability, you should:
- First, recommend a home inspection to your client. If they decline, get it in writing!
- Offer choices of inspectors to the buyer, but also encourage the buyer to perform their own due diligence (i.e. yellow pages, google, interviewing the inspector)
- Verify that the inspector chosen is licensed
- Disclose any material facts to the home inspector. Provide a copy of the disclosure statement before the inspection begins.
- If you attend the inspection, be careful not to influence the inspection or put yourself in the position that you can be “accused” of influence.
As a real estate agent, you need to remain objective and you want a non-biased inspection. Yes, occasionally deals may fall through because of the inspection but in the end your buyer will thank you for encouraging a home inspection. Remember that you helped them save them from buying “the money pit” and they are still looking for a house (with you!).
Don’t forget litigation is expensive.
