Should Buyers Attend Their Home Inspection (An Inspector's Perspective)

Should a prospective home buyer attend the home inspection? Let me make it clear that as a home inspector I want my clients to be a part of the inspection process. I think its critical that they have the opportunity to see the property's deficiencies first-hand and to learn about how to maintain their new home. But, should the buyers attend the entire inspection from start to finish and shadow the inspector? I feel there are several reasons this is not a good process, and I can suggest a better way. First, take a minute to understand what is being asked of a home inspector. The expectation is that the inspector will evaluate an entire home and all of its systems in a very short period of time, 2-4 hours in most cases. To do this, the inspector must take scrupulous notes and numerous pictures in order to properly document these conditions and make appropriate recommendations for repairs. In order to accomplish this task an inspector needs to be efficient and focused. Here are se