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Calling the Home Inspector an Idiot can cost you $50,000.

By
Home Inspector with Certified Structure Inspector IOS #1730, EA #30

 

 

We have all been unhappy with a service provided to us at one time or another. This article in Journal Star is a case where a Real Estate agent sent out an e-mail to 400 colleagues with a comment that the Home Inspector was a “Total Idiot”. That comment cost the Home Inspector an estimated $50,000 in business. He felt that the agent thought he was “overly critical”.  The Home Inspector asked for a retraction and formal apology from the agent. Since he didn’t get what he asked for the Home Inspector from Lincoln Nebraska sued and filed a complaint with the Real Estate Commission of Nebraska.

Some of us that do Home Inspections do them just how we would expect someone to do them for us or our family, thorough. While the agent didn’t appreciate this the buyer probably did. The fact is that no home will be perfect and many of the items on the list of defects are usually small deferred maintenance items anyways. If your unhappy with the inspection talk to the Home Inspector. A simple comment could end up costing you.

 

 

Comments(6)

Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Wow. The last thing one should do when angry is write an email.

Jan 23, 2012 04:13 AM
Rob Ernst
Certified Structure Inspector - Reno, NV
Reno, NV-775-410-4286 Inspector & Energy Auditor

Doug, Your right about that. 

Jan 23, 2012 03:35 PM
Vince Chinell
VICO Home Inspection - Branson, MO
CPI

Robert,  Seems like when we do the inspection job and alert the buyer of maintenance and major discrepancies we find words following us like "Deal Killer".  Sometimes in certain areas people listen to gossip more than fact and we can lose work even though we did the job the way we would have expected it to be done.  Do you think money has a lot to do with it????

Jan 24, 2012 07:43 AM
Rob Ernst
Certified Structure Inspector - Reno, NV
Reno, NV-775-410-4286 Inspector & Energy Auditor

Vince, I think agents are working harder for less commission than in the past. Then comes the Home Inspection with the finish line in sight. If the buyer doesn't like what they see they can walk. If the deal falls out it's blamed on the Home Inspector. When the cheap cut corners guy is hired he doesn't find anything wrong. The problem with that is once the people move in and problems show up is when the buyer calls the Attorney. I've been hearing more about this kind of thing lately. In the end it costs everyone when things are not done right.

Jan 25, 2012 02:50 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Wow, that was a little childish on the agents part. Sounds like a kid stomping his feet and going to everyone who would listen when he didn't get his way. 

 

Jan 26, 2012 04:35 AM
Rob Ernst
Certified Structure Inspector - Reno, NV
Reno, NV-775-410-4286 Inspector & Energy Auditor

Todd that's a great view on the situation.

Jan 26, 2012 05:49 AM