Have to leave, NO! As a matter of fact, the standard home inspection addendum reiterates your right, as a seller, to stay in the home during a home inspection. After all, it’s your home.
That being said, let’s think about this for a minute. The home inspection is being conducted on behalf of the buyer. The home inspector is working for the buyer, and usually looks askance at anything the home owner, or the listing agent might say. Not you certainly, but there have been plenty of instances where sellers try to hide defects from the inspector. By the way…it usually doesn’t work.
Most importantly though, is that this is likely the first time that the buyer has had any significant amount of time to spend in the house. This is their opportunity to get to know better, the house that will become theirs shortly. They should be able to do that without any interference.
Your listing agent will certainly explain your “right” to remain in the home, but I’m pretty sure they will also make a strong recommendation that you should leave during the inspection. You’ll know soon enough whether the buyers will be asking for repairs.
