A yo-yo or something?

[skratzer]

Ok admitted I am as rookie as they come, Yesterday while doing an inspection I had an owner follow me around like a lost pup.Not that I minded him being there but just would not stop with the small talk.It was very distracting and hard to stay focused,I even thought to myself if I had a yo-yo or something to keep him occupied I could get done and be on my way.My question is to you inspectors that been at it a while, How do you handle this?Do you give them something to read,a deck of cards?I would like to hear you guys input and things you do to keep them occupied? Thanks
-Shannon

[Wayne B. Wilson]

I give them the laser thermometer , to check all the heat runs, If that doenst keep them busy, I just say this is good time to look for cosmetic problems ( we do not comment on)
And if they see something that really concerns them to note it and we will discuss it at the end. give the little speech that we are not perfect and could miss something so another set of eyes are a good thing.

[skratzer]

This guy was the seller and I was working for a possible buyer. He was aggravated at the thought of her even having the inspection!

[Curtis M. Vilt]

I just read your question to my wife Shannon and she said we could not distract her, she is going to talk to you if she wants its her house. After 29 years I believe every word. LOL

[skratzer]

I wont even touch that one Curtis...lol

[mnahrgang]

I would probably say something on the lines of...

"Sir, I understand your concerns about the inspection, but I am working for your buyer. As such I have to do a great job for them, and an accurate job for you. I can only do that if I am not distracted."

Or if the buyers are there, call them aside, tell them the problem and suggest re-scheduling the inspection when the sellers aren't there. Let the real estate agents deal with it.

Or if the agents are there, call them aside, and enlist their help in keeping the seller occupied.

Yes it's their house, and they have a say as to what goes on in it. But they don't have a say in distracting you from your job. If they are going to do that, then you have an increased risk and liability that they are forcing upon you with the distraction. I suppose if all else fails, you could simply ignore them 100%. Don't respond or reply to their questions or comments, and pretend they aren't there. I know that's incredibly rude, but you've got to CYA, and them bird dogging you isn't good for you or your client.

[Scott Patterson]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

I would probably say something on the lines of...

"Sir, I understand your concerns about the inspection, but I am working for your buyer. As such I have to do a great job for them, and an accurate job for you. I can only do that if I am not distracted."

Or if the buyers are there, call them aside, tell them the problem and suggest re-scheduling the inspection when the sellers aren't there. Let the real estate agents deal with it.

Or if the agents are there, call them aside, and enlist their help in keeping the seller occupied.

Yes it's their house, and they have a say as to what goes on in it. But they don't have a say in distracting you from your job. If they are going to do that, then you have an increased risk and liability that they are forcing upon you with the distraction. I suppose if all else fails, you could simply ignore them 100%. Don't respond or reply to their questions or comments, and pretend they aren't there. I know that's incredibly rude, but you've got to CYA, and them bird dogging you isn't good for you or your client.

Mark just gave you some sage and very good advice on how to handle an owner who will not leave you alone.

Flat out tell the owner that you need to concentrate and that you are working. Be honest and if all else fails just do not respond to them as Mark pointed out. This will happen to all inspectors at sometime.

[Chuck Evans]

Don't allow the owner to bird dog you like that. They WILL interfere with your ability to perform your inspection. You owe it to your client to ensure that they get the best inspection you are capable of. If you can't shake the seller loose tactfully, be direct, if that doesn't work terminate the inspection. If either agent is there, as them to deal with it.

[Curtis M. Vilt]

On a serious note I do ask the realtor to handle it. They usually understand.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

All good advice above, but, there is one other point that we all need to remember, and use if needed.

The buyer has been granted permission from the seller to achieve a proper inspection of the home by way of the Purchase Agreement. A seller that get's in the way of, and/or interferes with the inspection, is breaching the Terms of the Agreement.

Once, I had a seller that would not back-off, and I just couldn't ignore him any longer. The agents were not due until the end of the inspection. The buyers had left to get lunch, and to return later (I assume they were fed up with the seller also). I finally turned to the seller, and told him point blank that if he continues to distract me, I will either need to restart the inspection and he would be billed for the extra time, or, I would terminate the inspection, and inform the buyers and their agent of his intent to break the Terms of the Purchase Agreement.

That stopped him cold in his tracks. Grumbling, he left the room, and I did not see him for the rest of the inspection.