He kills the buyers and leaves the houses standing empty

What's your point?

The point looks fairly obvious!

I dont't get it either? Hope he got his fee before he killed the buyer though!

Well, maybe I'm just slow. Please fill me in. . .

Must be.

Sounds like one of those inspectors that appears to kill a majority of deals. Is the deal killing justified? We will never know. I know an inspector that is very detailed and always appears to completely pick a house apart. This inspector also lacks many basic social skills and needs to take a class on how to explain the important details to first time home buyers. He will give a 3 paragraph explaination on a minor problem that can be explained in a single sentence and these are on maintainence issues. Somewhere in the last 2 sentences you will see the words that this may need attention sometime within the next 5 years. The buyers eyes have glazed over long before they get to that last important sentence.

He did this to one young couple I represented and they were ready to just back out of the deal because the inspectors report had not been explained to them in a manner to make them understand the situation. The girls father is a general contractor and I suggested that she have him look at the report and go check out any concerns he might have from the report. The report was 26 pages and could have easily been reduced to 3 or 4. The girls father had a good laugh at the report and told her she was worrying about nothing and that there were no major concerns. The couple had picked the inspector whose name was not on my list because someone they knew had told them the inpector had saved them from buying a house with alot of problems....now they understood why his name was not on my list of potential inspectors.

Paul, be careful providing a list of service persons! You could open yourself up for liability!!!

I NEVER compile or provide a list of service companies/people. If I did, then I could be brought into a suit as being the one who "endorsed" the service person! I just tell them to take their pick from the phone book. I explain why I do this as well.

Maybe some food for thought for you and others here.

Gulf,
I have been doing this since 1989 and am well aware of liability issues and have discussed this at length with my attorney but thanks for the concern.

I have a list of service providers that I have worked with over the years. My attorney has said that as long as I include 3-5 names for each category there is no problem as their is "No Endorsement". The client is free to choose from the list or use another service provider as the disclaimer at the bottom of the page states near the signature line. There is a spot near each provider for the client(s) initial.

My critera for inclusinn is quite simple. The service provider needs to be professional and has a good reputation. Someone or a company that I have done business with in the past.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the inspector, but such is life. There are "bad apples" in every profession - Agents/Brokers included.

Something to consider - taking the advice of a general contractor over a professional inspector is a poor decision. Obviously there are exceptions, but most GC's will cut corners at every chance they get. That's why we have inspectors.

FWIW, when you refer me to your clients, my insurance will indemnify you against any claims made, stemming from my inspection. Be sure the inspectors you refer carry Professional Liability Insurance (E&O). Most carriers include referral indemnity. . .

That could easily be construed as an endorsement! Not to get into a debate, but you are in fact endorsing them if you limit the list. Either give them all or none! Let their fingers do the walking.

At the very least, include a statement on your list that indicates that it is for information purposes only and that you do not endorse or guarantee their services in any way. Better yet, have everyone sign that they understand this.

It's always better to CYA than to expose yourself to potential litigation.

Gulf,
Now where was it that you graduated from Law School?

My attorney assured me there is no issue and since he did graduate from Law School and passed the bar I will have to trust his interpretation of what constitutes an endorsement as that is his field of expertise. His job is to reduce my potential liability.

Jeff,
You are a funny man. I would definately have to say the opinion of an experienced general contractor will definately have more weight that the average inspector. Especially in that case as the GC was the girls Father! You statement that every GC will cut corners at every opportunity is crap. Good general contractors will not compromise safety or structure.

In addition to Broker/Investor I am also a builder/general contractor/landscape contractor so I am very critical on inspector reports and inspectors.

Paul:

You really should get off your high and mighty horse! If you don't like my advice, then so be it, but don't resort to being a condescending p%^&*. It's a shame that you seem to get your jollies out of berating and believing that you are so superior to everyone else here.

I have no desire to continue a debate with you but felt as though you deserved to be called out for your pompous attitude!

Paul,

If GC's were as competent as you believe, there would be no need for inspectors. It sounds as if you are "bitter" toward inspectors rather than "critical" of them.

I've been in the trades for over 25 years, in various forms including GC. I know how the game is played.

Jeff

First hey. Second I agree with you.

Here is an example of what Jeff and I would find.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/198897/Footer-Inspection-New-Construction

Hello Mike. Long time no chat. I hope all is well.

Gulf,
You are entitled to your opinion but when it is exactly opposite what my attorney has stated it is a no brainer to trust the attorney since he is the legal expert and you are the real estate broker.


Also I really could not care less about your "advice" even though you seem to feel you are more competent with legal advice than my attorney nor did I seek your advice. You felt compeled to give it telling me that despite what I was told by my attorney it could be considered an endorsement.

Sound like you are the one that needs to come down from the big horse till you finish law school and pass the bar. So in response to your "call out" you can kiss my pompous attitude.

Then it sounds like you may have been one of those GC's to be on the lookout for! I never said all gc's great. There are bad gc's just as there are bad agents and Inspectors.

Why would I be bitter over inspectors? I have never personally lost a deal due to an inspector nor has any home I build or rehabbed failed an inspection. As an investor doing a rehab I do it right the first time because I believe in quality workmanship.

Your generalization on gc's is crap and you know it so if you honestly feel that an inspector that took a class or is in a state requiring no license is better than an experienced gc with a good reputation then you have your head buried in the sand.

Mike,
Just curious but I noticed you are a licensed plumbing and electrical contractor as well as an inspector. Do you feel that every inspector is more competent in electrical and plumbing than you are?

Paul

I do not understand your question.
Please ask it again so that I can answer you properly.

Let me break it down for you.
1. You posted the following;
Jeff

First hey. Second I agree with you.

Here is an example of what Jeff and I would find.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/198897/Footer-Inspection-New-Construction

2.I noticed on your site that you are a licensed Plumbing and Electrical contractor. The question was Very simple.
Do You believe that every Home Inspector is as well qualified in PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL systems as you are?

^^^ sad ^^^

Now Gulf Don't Cry!

Paul

The way that you asking it I would have to say no. In the same way I would say that an attorney is more qualified that a Realtor. Not saying more knowledgeable.

Each professional has their place.

Attorneys practice law, Agents/Brokers buy and sell property, Inspectors inspect, and GC's build.

To say a GC is more qualified to inspect than an inspector is (in the words of Paul) crap. It's really just that simple. . .

Im honored to have started such a warm exchange. If you had a house inspected by a GC or a home inspector you will have different lists with common valid items on both. Nobody finds everything and nobody is perfect. I just had a home inspector say he could put his hand through the band board of a house it was so rotten. When the GC went to check it out he could not find the same problem. There was alot of debris around the area and the inspector inferred damage. Damage that had already been repaired. The inspector got 9 out of 10 right and 1 wrong. My clients passed on the house and the seller is spending $14,000 to make repairs to a house they have owned for less than 1 year. Yes it was inspected before they purchased. They were in Wyoming and the house was in KY and the inspector only found three minor items, including the rotted band board. The buyers realtor supervised the inspection and repair. My clients inspection found carbon monoxide in the house from broken heat exchange = 2 new furnaces, 2 new heat pumps cause they are 20 years old, water damage in the exterior and that paper faced siding that was recalled and the object of a class action law suit. The original inspector never mentioned this but my guy was right on 95% of it. and yes I reccommend inspectors, aggressive ones who are sometimes wrong but are happy to be corrected.

Whatever Jeff,
You seem to forget there are some states where every bubba with a pickup and a clipboard can call themselves a Home Inspector. I also knw a few contractors that also do home inpections but if yo want to believe that every HI is a professional then so be it!

You seem to forget that a state license doesn't create competence or accountability in a GC. Just like picking up a clipboard doesn't create a home inspector.

All things being equal, a consumer should always look to a professional Home Inspector to inspect their purchase. Furthermore, the consumer should always check references and verify that the inspector is insured, just as they would if they were to hire a GC to do a room addition or any other project.

Jeff,
I am definately Not forgetting that as state license does not create competence. That Was my Point but it seems you like it better when you say it from the Home Inspectors perspective!

in no particular order. . .

As a buyer, I would not think much of an agent who could not give me some recommendations of people in the trades that I could contact or may want to use. I would expect my agent to be knowledgeable and have contacts.

Wouldn't it be ironic if the agent who won't recommend service providers for fear of being sued constantly reminds clients and prospects to refer him or her to other people.

Personally, I would probably hire the neutron bomb inspector at least once to see how it goes. I love thorough inspections and I would read all 26 pages of the report. If the explanation was long-winded but the problem was insignificant, I can explain that and easily encourage a buyer to purchase.

Maybe our area is rare, but we have a lot of general contractors who do inspections.

"As a buyer, I would not think much of an agent who could not give me some recommendations of people in the trades that I could contact or may want to use. I would expect my agent to be knowledgeable and have contacts."

In some states (i.e. Massachusetts) it's against the law for an agent to recommend a home inspector, unless they have agency.

Just like Agents/Brokers who also do mortgages.

Many inspectors are also (or once were) GC's. That's essentially from where the HI profession was born. However, the profession has evolved into something entirely different than the inspections of thirty years ago.

Holmes on homes

Typically I'm there to tell the story of the home...it's basic overall condition...good or bad. Some agents do not like the way I report a home and some don't mind an honest inspection. I know my clients like my inspections and that is all that matters...around here, many homes are in poor shape and have not been well maintained, and the report reflects that.

I really enjoy a home that has been well kept as it makes my job and report much, much easier.
I know it cannot be easy selling a home with tons of deficiencies, but do not blame the inspector. Just make sure the asking price reflects the actual condition and it should sell.

Yes I agree there is different kind of inspectors. Some of them understand the importance what they do and balanced between to point the house problems and do not scared the buyer. But as Realtors we need to understand that they are licensed like us and they have their responsibilities and gridlines, so we need to educate our clients and prepare them for the inspectors report. We need to explain them that they need to focus on the main structural problems on the house. So spend time to educate your clients and you will have less deal broken, do not blame for that the inspectors or somebody else.......

i think it is somewhat our responisiblity to explain the reports after they get them, so they wont be scared away. At the same time, this could look like you just want the sell, and could care less what problem they are about to inherit. I say go over what they should and should not worry about even before the report comes.

you must remember that there is alot of liability on the Inspector, however, if he is that pedantic about small things, move on!

My thouhght is; its not what or how much you report but how you report it. If there is common things wrong, sure your report it but when your client IS THERE (!) make light of what you have found "this is usual for a property of this age" make them feel its not the worst property on the block!!


Thomson Alliance

Home Inspectors Inspection Hawaii, Oahu
http://www.thomsonalliance.com
http://www.myspace.com/hawaiihomeinspector