Hi,
I'm getting into the home inspection business and wanted to see if I could determine some challenges I might run into when working with Realtors. I am pretty reasonable and am trying to learn everything I can about this business that will help relationships.

Are there any typical issues that you see repeted and what might some solutions be?

Thank you,
Jayme

i really respect one in my area. My buyer had to file small claims to get earnest money back after some major defect discoveries. HI takes digital pics of all major defects. Seller decided to give up emd that he was holding hostage right after the jpgs of the major defects were emailed to the listing broker and his lawyer by yours truly as a professional courtesy. I called the listing broker as a follow up and boy she was being so nice instead of a Big B. That HI was worth 10x the cost of his services. I will use him personally for my next buy.

I like the Honesty from the home inspectors I work with. As a Realtor, I stay out of the way and let you do your thing. At the end of the day, Im representing my buyer/seller. Should your inspection report Kill the deal, then I will take my client and move on to the next property, and use you for the next inspection. Don't let a Realtor tell you, that you are wrong (which will be your major roadblock). Many Realtors will.

If I'm the listing agent, I tell the seller to respect the results, and comply with the findings. Im not an expert, the inspector is. You guys are trained to see things with an objective eye. You explore places that I will not (Inspectors have a bold job, and I have much respect for your industry).

I prefer to Kill a deal than place a client in a home with unexpected issues. Do a good job they will tell their friends, do a poor job and feel taken, they will tell everyone they come in contact with and hate us both for life!

In most cases you will be working for the buyers, don't forget that. The listing Realtor and thier clients (sellers) may see you as an advisary, especially if you uncover deterents. The buyers agent will view you as value added, ensuring thier clients get good value.

In my view, the best way to keep everyone happy is first to perform to high professional standards within your field. You should also make yourselve aware of local issues, and keep abreast of dispute outcomes. Advicing Realtors of court rulings for disputes, providing them with legal citation that guides those decisions, and just plain education in your dealings, will help them in thier dealings.

Thanks for your input. One home inspector told me that good agents, like yourselves, will value a home inspector and want their client to buy a sound house. Those that get ticked off at you for pointing out rotten structural members, for example, that end the deal are folks that he would not want to work with anyway.

I will see what happens as I go through this journey. I was just notified by the State that I passed my Home Inspector's exam. Now its time to market...

Congrats CCHI

I have never seen the home inspector as an adversary and I say that as listing agent. *Everyone* is always better off knowing the truth.

And I haven't seen many deals fall apart over issues that came up during the inspection. Sometimes it drives us all back to negotiations but usually these things can be resolved.

I would much prefer to have a few tense moments during escrow than to be a co defendant down the road.

So yes, inspectors pls be thorough and give it to us straight up.