08/11/2026
Real estate agents: If a seller STILL LIVES THERE, show up for the inspection. Period. 🛑🔑
​Vacant properties are one thing, but when a family is actively living in a home, skipping the inspection isn't just lazy—it's a massive breach of trust and liability.
​If you aren't showing up for your buyers at an owner-occupied inspection, you aren't doing your job:
​📍 It’s Someone’s Lived-In Home: That house contains personal belongings, jewelry, electronics, family photos, and private documents. Home inspectors are crawling under sinks and checking attics—they are not security guards, and they shouldn't be forced to babysit buyers wandering through a seller's personal space.
​📍 Lockbox Access Belongs to YOU: That eKey permission was granted to you as a licensed agent. Handing off access and letting people roam someone else's occupied house without licensed supervision violates standard board ethics and puts the seller's property at risk.
​📍 You Can't Represent From Your Couch: When an inspector points out an issue in person, you need to hear the tone, see the scope, and help your buyer process it calmly. If you only read the PDF report two days later, a minor, fixable issue easily turns into a panicked buyer terminating a contract.
​📍 Securing the Property: Sellers leave their homes for hours to give your clients space. The absolute bare minimum courtesy is making sure a licensed agent is on-site to verify doors are locked, lights are off, and the home is left safe and secure before the family walks back through the front door.
​Inspectors evaluate mechanicals and structures. They are NOT licensed chaperones for occupied real estate.
​Respect the seller’s home, protect your buyers, and do your damn job. 💯
​
