Ok, I need just a few moments of your time to vent on a situation I encountered a few days ago. This promises to be quite interesting reading for some of you. I have discussed this situation with a few others and gotten several opinions on how to best handle this. What's your take?
I had just finished up my morning inspection and was on my way to have lunch with a friend. I get about half way there and my phone rang. I answered it, and it was a gentleman wanting to hire me for a home inspection. In 4 hours. I told him I was very busy that afternoon, could it be done later in the week. He says he needs it today, so I tell him to let me make some phone calls and I will get back to him. I did have an inspection of a roof scheduled for that afternoon, but the woman told me it would be no problem if I arrived later in the evening or even the next morning. Great!! Now I can go do this other home inspection and help this guy out.
So, I call him back and he tells me that his realtor says he doesn't need an inspection, because he has a report for the same property from two years ago. What? Are you $#^&*@ kidding me? So, I kind of chuckled and told him I wished him good luckj and to have a nice day. He asks me why that is so funny. I explain to him that the inspection was not performed for him, nor paid for by him, and that in the event of a problem with the home he would be left holding the bag so to speak. He asked about the legality of this idea, and I told him while it may not be illegal, it is highly unethical business practice. He agreed with me, and decided to do the inspection after all. Great, I will see you in a few hours.
Now, I have been out to lunch, discussed this with a friend and had a few laughsd about it. But something just isn't sitting right with me concerning Mr Realtor. So, I head home to grab a few things before I have to head over to the home inspection. I get about ten minutes from my home, about an hour before this inspection is supposed to begin. And guess what. Correct, my phone rings again, and it is Mr Homebuyer. Now this is where it gets really good. Apparently, Mr Realtor has found someone that will do the home inspection for fifty dollars less than I will. So I tell Mr Homebuyer that as we talked about earlier my fee is blah blah blah. I procedd to explain to him why mmy price is justified and that I am NOT working for his realtor and he will be getting a very unbiased inspectionn and report from me. So guess what now. Right, the inspection is back on. See you in about an hour Sir.
Now about this time I have had it up to my neck with this Realtor, and this guy for that matter. I pull into the driveway, and ring ring ring. Mr Homebuyer on the line. He is having some problems with the seller and needs to cancel for today. He ends up giving me this whole story about it, but I'm not buying it. When he is all done, I say, did you decide to go with the other home inspector. He says no, you are my guy. I have to work some issues out with the seller, and I will call you back at the end of the week. It may not be for this house but you will be doing my next home inspection. So, I tell him thanks, and have a great afternoon.
So at this point I am really steamed about this whole situation, but I am looking for the silver lining. Do I believe this guys' story, probably not, but I may have just found a very grateful client, that may recommend me to more clients. The bottom line is that I held my ground and didn't completely bend for this guy. Yes, I shifted some things around to accomodate him, but I didn't let him and his realtor dictate the rest of the situation. Mr Realtor probably won't recommend me, but that's OK. Who knows, maybe this guy will never call back, and made up the comments about the realtor. I don't know. But if he does call back, he will know that he can completely truct my home inspection and my report. And if he has that, his recommendation will be better than any other.
So, now I ask you, what would you do in this situation. Would you call and talk to this realtor, and find out if this story holds water? I am quite perplexed on this one. Any
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