Only if you are actually representing the buyer...not just using the label of buyers agent, like many of the responses show.

The best interest of the homebuyer is never served if the agent does not stay.

Lets not miss the point...

Buyer agents don't need to attend inspections in order to keep the buyer busy or just let the inspector in.

They need be there to clearly understand WHAT THE ISSUES ARE so that they can speak intelligentally when asking for repairs or re-negotiating the contract.

There is NO liability in being there but there is always liability if you claim to represent the buyer and then disappear. 

Try taking that to court.  "But your honor, I was too busy...I did not want to get in the way...I am not an inspector...I did not want to be accused of influencing the inspector...OMG! 

Excuses, excuses, excuses.  Buyer agents need to start doing their jobs!

Eve

At every inspection, you bet. We as agents are representing the best interests of our clients at all times.

I think buyer's agents should indeed be present for inspections. They are an important part of the discovery process about the home.

The buyers agent and buyer should be there, and many inspectors prefer that the buyer be there so he can explain his findings. All first time buyers should attend home inspections. It's a great way to learn about the working of their soon to be new house.

I am always present at the home inspection. I am sure home owners would not like the buyers there with just the inspector.

I will only attend if I representing the buyer. 

Absolutley I always attend my buyers inspections

The Home Inspectors in our area schedule their own inspection appointments and have an EKey. They do their inspection ( which takes 3-4 hours) and then the Buyer comes for 1/2 an hour or so and the Inspector takes them around the home going through their report. We all get an detailed email report with photos. I do not attend the inspections- the buyer and I already went through the home and I pointed out items that could be a potential problem, in my opinion.

This is their time with an Expect that they are paying for. If they needed me to be there because they can not or want an interpreter, I am happy to oblige.

Some of you mentioned hanging aroung in the kitchen while the inspection is happening. You must have much shorter inspections.

In my opinion, yes.  Whether or not you are working for the buyer or seller, you are getting paid to represent them. There is no need to be at the inspector's heels throughouth the inspection, but if an issue arises, I don't think it hurts to have an extra set of eyes and ears. Why woulsn't you want to know beforehand if there might be a problem?  I don't like the element of surprise. 

Here in AZ, yes.  We need to let them in and we can't allow accesss to the listing if we are not there.  I attend them all, helps to write the BINSR if I am there with the buyer, see first hand what needs to be repaired/replaced.

I drop in but don't normally stay.  The inspector has a job to do and doesn't need me in the way.  IF my client goes (I encourage this) and stays then I stay.

Never been there.  I don't want anyone saying I tried to influence the inspector.  

Yes...we require it..how else could you amend a contract for issues found that may require replacement or repair ?

I personally think you should never attend a home inspection ....you never want to be seen as trying to influence the inspector ...It should be between the buyer and the inspector ....you should get involved after the fact.

I may not be there for the duration -- especially if it's a vacant home.  I am there the entirety if my client is present however.

I feel very differently about going to the home inspection!  I have gone to home inspections with my buyers for the last 25 years.  I have started not going because this is the time for the buyer to interact with the inspection.  I noticed they really ask more questions of the home inspector when I am not there. As I have heard from the home inspector after the appointment.   

Adrian -- I do.

I also attend at least a part if not the entire inspection of my listings.  I am there to protect my sellers interests.  

The reasons are limitless and profound. So, I'll go with the less obvious,

"To tell war stories to the buyer so the inspector can go about their work."

Adrian Colon I've attended all home inspections and stayed in the kitchen with the buyers until the inspection was over. Could have liability issues following the inspector around.

Not necessarily.  Depends on the circumstances.

Not necessary.

Mike & Eve nailed this one!

i agree with Mike and Eve... the buyer agent needs to attend on behalf of understanding any findings and to also protect the security of sellers home if it is furnished etc... If it is a vacant home, I typically bring a few tailgate chairs to sit and stay out of the way but be avail should I be needed. SOme buyers prefer to follow inspector around others want to simply be there to make sure nothing substantial standing in way of getting to closing. 

As a buyers's agent I am always there to know first-hand what the findings are and based on which I prepare the RR

As an HI I don't want the inspection to turn into a tutorial about every item inspected. I would never get done. Let me do my work and provide an onsite wrapup of the critical issues found. Also, I prefer the principals to the transactions to be be there along with their agents. This way I can help clear up any miscommunication and avoid an excessive number of follow-up telephone calls or emails.

As a buyer or listing agent I want to be there to clearly understand any issues that impact the contract and the transaction process. I also do my best to have my client(s) attend the inspection.

BTW-I don't do HIs for any deals my agency is involved in for obvious reasons.

I can not speak for every realtor, but I can say Ron and I attend our inspections before close every time.  Often the buyer can not be present and we feel we know more when we see more.  If we are there, there are no questions we can not answer truthfully and completely when a buyer/seller has a question on the report.  To us, it is a matter of giving the best service to our clients.

I have a material interest in making sure the deal happens so to remove that cloud I rarely go. If I am there, I only participate the extent to be sure that the inspector is doing his or her job. If I don't understand elements of the report that are important regarding the home's condition or the inspection uncovers something I didn't already see, I will return with the report to review the property before advising the buyers. 

This is a frequent question.  Buyer agent should be there  to understand what is going on in the inspection and be able to advocate for the buyers later

I do attend when I'm representing a buyer, but not generally when representing a seller.

We aren't present for the entire inspection but we do make an appearance with our client the last hour. When the inspector is finished, he can then go over his findings while we're there. An official report follows but it's always good to get the inspector's assessment while on site.

I always attend the home inspection, even if I am representing the seller. Why you ask?

If I represent the buyers, I like to be there to do my visual inspection and usually the selling side opens the door for the inspector anyway. It's good to point out the things that concern you as the agent and ask the inspector questions as well. Sometimes it's nice to put a buyer's mind at ease because they may make a big deal out of something that isn't one and you can simply take control by asking the inspector "is this a common find on home inspections" or "would you say this is 'out of the norm'" ... the summary is important and you can help your EMOTIONAL buyer determine what they should REALLY be fighting for on the request for repairs (if anything) so they don't start a battle that they will never win.

If you represent the sellers: First, in California, both agents are required to do an Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure (AVID) and it has to be done at some point, so why not while everyone else is there anyway? I like to be present to be an ear for the seller. I usually stay out of everyone's way and do some work on my laptop while I am there if I finish my visual inspection before everyone else is done. But I ALWAYS make sure the seller has some representation from me or my team with the inspectors go over their inspection summary. Again, same as the selling agent, you want to know what the inspector says is "normal" or "common" so when the buyers and their agent comes asking for a bunch of stuff, you are prepared to respond appropriately. It's not about liability or being an inspector ... but we had a buyer that asked for a valve to be replaced on the water line to the refrigerator and thank goodness I was there because HE was the one that broke the crazy thing to begin with so we said "no way" ... the home inspector put it on the report ... as he had to but the buyer was the one that physically broke it and you'll never see that on the inspection report. PROTECT your sellers too and be present.

Last, it's nice for you to be able to report back to the sellers how the actual inspection went at the end so if you can't be there for the whole thing ... show up for the last 15 minutes and listen to the summary.

Real Estate is a JOB not a vacation ... I think it's okay if an agent actually "shows up" to get paid ...

I like Mike & Eve Alexander 's answer. Couldn't have said it better my self.

I try to attend almost all - generally learn something new I didn't know... also helps me understand all the issues related to a house, what's significant and what's not so I can better negotiate repairs.  Great question, Adrian Colon.

I guess I am lost on this... Why wouldnt the BUYER be there to be with the inspector and review the property themselves?

I always attend my buyers' inspections, plus I have to do my own visual inspection required here in CA. Buyers are usually there to hear the summary of issues and walk around with inspector to ask questions.

I go toward the end of it so I can hear what the inspector has to say.

I always get there at the beginning and I am there at the end to talk to the inspector about the findings and if necessary, have him/her show me the problem areas.  Whether I stay for the duration of the inspection depends on whether the house is vacant or occupied or whether the buyer is attending or not.  

Whether I'm working with a Buyer or a Seller - I'm there.

In my area we feel there is too much liability for the buyer's agent to be there during the inspection. 

Adrian Colon - for my buyers, yes, I do.

However, I do not follow them with inspector. I ask for summary of concerns at the end of the inspection and sure enough look at what's wrong and how that can be fixed so we can check with the sellers later on.

Seeing firsthand what the inspector is reporting on is very important, so you can discuss it with your client.

the listing agent should be there to make sure he/she has first hand info of the issues.... the buyer's agent should be there because it's his/her job....

What about representing the seller? Agents need to do what their clients want and many of my agents do not want to attend and want to deal direct with the home inspector.