How I Support You Through Crucial Post-Inspection Home Buying Steps

When interviewing an agent to help you purchase a home, are you asking the most important questions?

Buyers often ask about experience, availability, and local market knowledge. Those things matter, but there is another question you should ask:

“Can you share an example of how you have advocated for a buyer during the inspection phase?”

A home inspection is not simply another step toward closing. It is an important opportunity to understand the home’s condition, investigate concerns, and make informed decisions. Your agent should do more than forward the inspection report to you.

Understanding the Findings

Whenever possible, I attend the inspection and speak directly with the inspector. If my clients cannot attend, I can be there on their behalf.

I ask questions to determine whether each finding is a minor maintenance item, a potential safety concern, a problem involving a major system, or something that needs further evaluation by a licensed professional.

Prioritizing the Report

After the inspection, I carefully review and organize the findings. We focus first on concerns involving the home’s structure, roof, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, drainage, water intrusion, and health or safety.

The goal is not to request every cosmetic correction. It is to understand what truly matters and create a reasonable, well-supported repair strategy.

Supporting the Repair Request

When a significant concern is discovered, I work with the inspector to fully understand the finding. The inspector may also help identify relevant building standards, manufacturer requirements, or code provisions that support the need for further evaluation or repair.

I then communicate promptly with the seller’s agent or builder and clearly explain what we are requesting and why. A Real Example: An Improper Truss Repair The photo included with this blog shows an actual truss repair discovered during the inspection of a newly constructed home.

A repair had been attempted, but it had not been completed properly. After reviewing the concern with the inspector, I cited the applicable building requirements and escalated the issue to the builder’s regional manager.

The concern eventually reached the engineer who had prepared the plans for the home. The engineer came to the property, evaluated the truss, and scheduled the proper repair.

My clients were approaching closing day and were understandably nervous that the issue would not be resolved correctly. They were incredibly grateful that the concern was taken seriously and pursued until there was a clear resolution.

A Real Example: An Improper Truss Repair

The image accompanying this blog shows a corrected truss repair completed after the inspection of a newly constructed home. A repair had been attempted, but it had not been completed properly.

After reviewing the concern with the inspector, I cited the applicable building requirements and escalated the issue to the builder’s regional manager. The concern eventually reached the engineer who had prepared the plans for the home.

The engineer came to the property, evaluated the truss, and scheduled the proper repair.

My clients were approaching closing day and were understandably nervous that the issue would not be resolved correctly. They were incredibly grateful that the concern was taken seriously and pursued until the truss was properly repaired.

Advocacy Matters

I have heard from multiple home inspectors that they wish more agents would advocate for their clients with this level of care and persistence.

Buyers deserve more than someone who opens doors and prepares contracts. They deserve an agent who asks thoughtful questions, works closely with qualified professionals, communicates promptly, and follows important concerns through to resolution.

When interviewing an agent, ask how they handle inspections. More importantly, ask for a real example of how they have advocated for a buyer.

The answer may tell you exactly what kind of representation you can expect when your home and peace of mind are on the line.