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Any SMART (i.e. minimizing risk of a lawsuit) agent will give you a list of service providers and let you pick one. That's what I did when I was a Realtor - that is when I was asked by a client. What your Realtor is doing is very shady and IMO unprofessional. Either the Realtor is getting some kind of kickback (unethical and usually illegal) or likes this particular home inspector because he/she has a reputation of not "scaring off" buyers.
Speaking of which.... it can be kind of a Catch-22 for home inspectors. If one gets the reputation of scaring the buyers, then they won't get the Realtor referrals, or Realtors actually tell clients NOT to use certain providers. People new to the business need that help - a lot of service providers just leave cards in real estate offices and get their start that way, but as far as a Realtor setting you up with a particular service provider..... No.
SO much shady sh<t in real estate! The main reason I am so happy to be a FORMER Realtor. (Sorry to those of you agents who are honest professionals. God bless you, you are few and far between.)
Realtors actually tell clients NOT to use certain providers.
I actually prefer to use the ones that find EVERYTHING and provide good counsel when something is seriously wrong. I'm not afraid of an inspector who will kill a deal when warranted. I don't want to refer the inspector who just "gets it done"....to me there is A LOT of liability in that. Now if the buyer wants to hire one of those inspectors, that's their choice...but I won't refer those.
Any SMART (i.e. minimizing risk of a lawsuit) agent will give you a list of service providers and let you pick one. That's what I did when I was a Realtor - that is when I was asked by a client. What your Realtor is doing is very shady and IMO unprofessional. Either the Realtor is getting some kind of kickback (unethical and usually illegal) or likes this particular home inspector because he/she has a reputation of not "scaring off" buyers.
Speaking of which.... it can be kind of a Catch-22 for home inspectors. If one gets the reputation of scaring the buyers, then they won't get the Realtor referrals, or Realtors actually tell clients NOT to use certain providers. People new to the business need that help - a lot of service providers just leave cards in real estate offices and get their start that way, but as far as a Realtor setting you up with a particular service provider..... No.
SO much shady sh<t in real estate! The main reason I am so happy to be a FORMER Realtor. (Sorry to those of you agents who are honest professionals. God bless you, you are few and far between.)
Very well said, thank you! There are many other threads relating to problems inspectors "missed", so read everthing.
But, instead of using just one instector, I recommend using a qualified plumber, electrician, and anyone else who is not associated with the outcome of the sale. It could save you thousands of dollars and stress in the end.
I actually prefer to use the ones that find EVERYTHING and provide good counsel when something is seriously wrong. I'm not afraid of an inspector who will kill a deal when warranted. I don't want to refer the inspector who just "gets it done"....to me there is A LOT of liability in that. Now if the buyer wants to hire one of those inspectors, that's their choice...but I won't refer those.
You are the exception. Depending on how desperate an agent is, there are all kinds of questionable tactics used to hold a deal together. Very tempting if it's been a while since your last commission check.
Very well said, thank you! There are many other threads relating to problems inspectors "missed", so read everthing.
But, instead of using just one instector, I recommend using a qualified plumber, electrician, and anyone else who is not associated with the outcome of the sale. It could save you thousands of dollars and stress in the end.
That's a great idea. A lot of people don't realize that in most areas, there is NO REGULATION OR TRAINING REQUIRED for home inspectors. Any yahoo can call himself a home inspector and make money doing so with proper networking/marketing.
I'm rescheduling with someone new tomorrow but just wanted to know if it's common for people to use the realtor's inspector.
I've had all but one client use my recommended home inspectors. I have three that I recommend but could easily make that 5. My favorite is one that was in construction, has his general contractor license and his home inspector license. He is qualified to do radon, mold and regular home inspections. He also has a thermal imager.
My second favorite is one who is a firefighter, but doesn't use a thermal imager.
My third favorite is a contractor who is now a home inspector (no gc license) but uses a thermal imager.
#1 and #2 are the most nit picky. They view it as their job to document everything (including silly things like missing door stops), and it is my job to prepare my buyers for normal house issues. Neither of them are alarmist, but just matter of fact. Some agents don't like them, and I have had two agents specifically ask that I not use them on houses they have listed, which isn't going to happen.
#3 is solid, but not exceptional.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heidi60
Very well said, thank you! There are many other threads relating to problems inspectors "missed", so read everthing.
But, instead of using just one instector, I recommend using a qualified plumber, electrician, and anyone else who is not associated with the outcome of the sale. It could save you thousands of dollars and stress in the end.
While in theory using specialists sounds good, and in a world where people have a lot of cash to do that that would be ideal. Out here, a buyer could spend $1500-$2,000 inspecting a house with specialists. That is kind of why the home inspector, as generalist, was born. They know a little about a lot of things like your family physician and encourage you to get a specialist when they have concerns.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FriendOfWaffles
That's a great idea. A lot of people don't realize that in most areas, there is NO REGULATION OR TRAINING REQUIRED for home inspectors. Any yahoo can call himself a home inspector and make money doing so with proper networking/marketing.
Actually most states have a license/certification process now. Only a few remain that don't have one. You can see which states have what here.
That's a great idea. A lot of people don't realize that in most areas, there is NO REGULATION OR TRAINING REQUIRED for home inspectors. Any yahoo can call himself a home inspector and make money doing so with proper networking/marketing.
Most states do require licensing nowadays, but there are some holdouts. Requirement or not though, there would be very few people without at least a moderately related background that would even attempt it anyway. They would not survive long in this line of work otherwise. There are plenty of borderline cases though lol. In my area, there are about 300 inspectors, but 20% of us do 80% of the work.
As an inspector, I would recommend listening to your Realtors, provided you trust them. They likely know a lot more about our scope of work, and houses in general, than you do. In my experience, the vast majority have their clients best interest in mind. An inspector can be extremely thorough, but able to relate information to a client in a manner that honestly describes the severity of the issues. I know some treat a closet door not latching like the end of the world though lol.
Conversely, pre-listing inspections are popular here, so I often get to see them when inspecting for the buyer. It is amazing what some of them miss. A house I was at today had two blatant cracks in the foundation wall, one you cannot miss entering the crawlspace, and nothing on the pre-listing report about it....among many other things. I imagine they will get an earful when the seller sees my report.
Our realtor suggested a guy that she works with often for two reasons; first being that he is really good and would find anything, and second was that he could be there within a day or two of her calling him up. We didn't even think about getting anyone else. We trust our agent! My husband was there during the inspection and was really impressed with his attention to detail!
Actually Waffles, most states I believe do require licensing, a course, and some an apprenticeship to becoming an inspector. However, just having a license doesn't make someone good.
I would also say most full time agents are honest and use good contractors. I use the same inspectors and contractors on my homes that I recommend.
One last note, I don't believe lists with multiple names are necessary and interestingly enough it was an attorney that pointed out why it was unnecessary. I have one attorney, one home inspector, one lender...because if they are good you don't need to use multiple people. I picked the ones I think are the best and just use them.
You are the exception. Depending on how desperate an agent is, there are all kinds of questionable tactics used to hold a deal together. Very tempting if it's been a while since your last commission check.
And I don't understand why. I wrote a mutual release for a client yesterday that the deal fell apart over inspection. We'll find something else for them. I won't get paid on this one, but they will buy something and I will get a commission, because I listened to my clients and didn't try to bamboozle them into a house they did not feel comfortable purchasing after the home inspection.
I also just contracted for a client whose first agent tried to strong arm them into buying a home with some pretty bad issues that they were completely not comfortable with and they dumped her like a bad habit. Maybe if she would have just listened to her clients and abided by there wishes she would have this next sale.
If you just hire quality professionals and listen to your client's needs, things tend to work out in the end.
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