Real Estate Blog

Article courtesy of: GRAR

Current market conditions are prompting more and more buyers to conduct pre-inspections of listed properties before writing an offer.  While that practice isn’t necessarily a problem, issues can arise if the true intent of the visit to the property isn’t shared with the listing agent and seller. 

For example, the seller of a listed property was surprised to hear from a neighbor that there were two men on the roof during the day while the homeowner was away.  The homeowner reached out to the listing agent.  The listing agent investigated and learned that a buyer’s agent scheduled a visit to the property using ShowingTime.  The “appointment type” was referenced as “showing”.  However, the purpose of the visit was to conduct a pre-inspection, and the parties did indeed climb onto the roof.  This caused the seller to be feel concerned about liability and whether the inspector was insured in the event of an injury or fall.  The supervising brokers of both firms were able to chat and resolve the matter amicably.  However, the seller then asked the listing agent to spend a day at the property monitoring showings to determine if any others were there to conduct pre-inspections. The listing agent was at the property from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Although all showing requests for that day referenced the appointment type as “showing,” she was surprised to encounter two other showings during the day where the parties arrived with a ladder intending to conduct a pre-inspection.

In the interest of transparency, GRAR advises buyer’s agents to disclose the true purpose of a scheduled visit to a listed property.  If it is to conduct a pre-inspection rather than a showing, please be transparent about that intent.  This is easy to do via ShowingTime.  Rather than checking “showing” as the appointment type, please select “inspection” as the appointment type.

For us transparency is always the best policy, so if you want to treat a showing as a pre-inspection please let your agent know that is your intent so we can be sure to schedule the proper appointment, Thanks!