What I need know about house inspection?

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Mirabella

I would not use one the realtor recommends. There is an inherent conflict of interest. Try to get recommendations from friends or perhaps Angie's list. Also good advice to be there for the entire inspection. The last home inspector started early and I missed it. Next house will have in the contract that it is off if that happens again.

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

Not if you hire a good agent that you can trust. Good agents tend to use good referrals because it's also our reputation on the line. Bad agents tend to give bad referrals. If buyers do a good job hiring the agent they shouldn't have concerns.

Well put! Who is going to have more experience with home inspectors anyway? Your friend or your real estate agent? Does your friend take part in multiple real estate transactions every year? As far as Angie's List goes, it has the same issue. The people who are making these reviews/recommendations buy a home every 5-10 years. Personally, I'd rather take the advice of someone who has had multiple experiences with the same inspector.

[Bill Keegan]

Originally Posted by Mirabella

I would not use one the realtor recommends. There is an inherent conflict of interest. Try to get recommendations from friends or perhaps Angie's list. Also good advice to be there for the entire inspection. The last home inspector started early and I missed it. Next house will have in the contract that it is off if that happens again.

First, there's not a conflict of interest. The real estate agent & the inspector both work for you, the buyer, and both have your interests as their prime concern.

Second, I doubt very much you will EVER get a sellers attorney to sign off on a contract stating that the contract will be in any way jeopardized as a result of the buyer and one of his contracted service providers not being able to coordinate the timing of that service. You missing out on the beginning of the inspection is YOUR issue, not the sellers issue.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Bill Keegan

First, there's not a conflict of interest. The real estate agent & the inspector both work for you, the buyer, and both have your interests as their prime concern.

I don't understand why so many people have this attitude. I work for my clients and everything I do and say is in their best interests. My own interests (i.e. how much or even if I'm making any money or if something is convenient or easy for me) isn't even on the back burner it's completely out of the picture. If your agent doesn't have this attitude, then it's time for a new agent not to assume that all agents are self-serving.

Originally Posted by Bill Keegan

Second, I doubt very much you will EVER get a sellers attorney to sign off on a contract stating that the contract will be in any way jeopardized as a result of the buyer and one of his contracted service providers not being able to coordinate the timing of that service. You missing out on the beginning of the inspection is YOUR issue, not the sellers issue.

I would assume this person is referring to the contract with the home inspector not the purchase contract. As you state, no one in their right mind would sign a purchase contract with such language.