You’ve made an offer on a home and now it’s time for the inspection. Most buyers will simply wait anxiously for the report, then go over the defects listed. However, what many people don’t know is that it is actually possible to personally attend residential inspections in Philadelphia, PA. In most cases, all you have to do is ask the inspector. Keep reading to learn more about attending an inspection in person, and whether or not it’s something that can benefit you.

Who Can Attend?

In most cases, the inspector, the buyer, and the buyer’s agent are permitted to be present during an inspection. (In some states, the buyer’s agent is actually required to be present.) If you’re worried about uncomfortable situations with the seller, don’t worry; they’re usually not present during the inspection. Please also avoid bringing any friends or family members, including children; essentially, if their name won’t be on the final contract, they shouldn’t be attending the inspection.

The Benefits

There are numerous benefits to attending a home inspection in person. This time allows you to get a really in-depth look at your home that you wouldn’t otherwise get before finalizing the deal. The inspector will show you the various systems and how they work, and you can ask questions about maintenance or any defects that they find right there, on the spot. Seeing and discussing the defects in person make it much easier for you to understand the potential consequences than simply looking at the report.

Another benefit is that you don’t have to sit and anxiously wait for the list of defects to be reported to you. You can hear about them and see them as the inspector finds them.

How Long Does It Take?

Most home inspections take between 2 and 4 hours, so be prepared to spend that long on the property if you want to attend. Showing up in the middle of the inspection can be disruptive to the inspector, so make sure that you block out your schedule appropriately.

Be Respectful

Remember, this home is not yours just yet. If you’re going to attend a home inspection, be respectful of the current owners’ privacy, as well as of the inspector. They’re there to do a job, and it’s important that you not impede that in any way. Please also bear in mind that there will probably be areas that you can’t (or don’t want to) enter with the inspector. These might include crawlspaces, the roof, the attic, and other potentially dangerous areas. If the inspector asks you not to enter an area, please respect that as well.

Residential inspection services in Philadelphia are essential to any home sale. If you can, consider attending the inspection in person so you can get a better feel for and understanding of the property.