I have a four unit under contract. After signing, the buyer toured each unit. Tomorrow is the inspection.

The realtor wanted to know if he can ask the tenants to step out so that the inspector and buyer can be alone in each unit.

Of course I won't allow that. Anyone heard of that kind of weirdness?

On the other hand, from a practical point of view, if the tenants step out they can't point out the "low water pressure" or the "flooded basement sometimes" or .....

Sometimes tenants are so afraid of ownership change that they will try to sabotage the sale.

This may be a gift in disguise....

Let's say the inspector starts finding all sorts of problems and talks to the buyer while the tenant is there. Buyer backs out. Now you've got a tenant who knows every little thing wrong with your unit according to "a professional" and may expect you to fix those.

Likewise, the Buyer may not want his future tenants knowing every possible thing that isn't up to snuff 100% and end up getting a laundry list of repairs if he does go thru with the purchase. You and I know that due to liability issues, inspectors find every possible deficiency no matter how minor and note it down with pictures and "refer to a qualified professional for diagnosis and repair." Would you want to be the new owner and have just told the tenant every conceivable problem with the building, even the nitpickiest of the nitpicky?

Sid, I see what you're saying, but it's really quite an imposition to ask tenants to leave where they live. The property is very well-maintained. I have no doubt the inspector will find things wrong, but it shouldn't make any difference whether or not the tenant is there.

They can always step out during the inspection if they are uncomfortable.

I neglected to mention that they want the tenants to step out AFTER the inspection, so that they can go back in and talk with the inspector inside the unit again. Makes no sense.

Thanks, all. The inspection starts at 1:00 PM. They wanted to come back for the re-inspection at 3:00 without the tenants present. I have never heard of that. Crazy!

Won't happen.

Perhaps this might be to recap the building and show any huge deal breakers to the buyer or give the buyer a list of things to do to increase rent.

Jeff,

I hope Hoosier chimes in with his inspector hat on.

Second inspection? For what?

If they are checking to see repairs are complete before purchase give them photos. Do they to go back into EVERY apt or just them ones needing repair?

I would give each res a $25 gift card for their inconvenience and ask them to cooperate by just sitting down and not saying a word.

I WANT to be there during any inspection. I can contain the res and answer any questions.

For what it’s worth, when I sell I hire my own inspector at the realtor discount. He points out problems and we write them down. He does NOT take photos or write a report. Easy for him.

We fix and have him come back, check the repairs, and NOW take pics and write his nice, clean, positive report. We give that clean report to the prospects.

The buyer gets to inspect it ONCE - no second inspection.