I apologize to you on that realtor's behalf.  I have the utmost respect for inspectors and would never try to tell them how to do their jobs.  Keep up the good work!  :)

Joseph,

You should have told her that she can tell you how to do an inspection if she will let you tell her how to sell a house!

Debi, I have worked with some very nice, respectful and pleasant agents.  Unfortunately there's always some bad ones in there.  But I thank you for the gesture.

John, thanks for the laugh.

The agent probably reacted that way to take the pressure of herself!  She hadn't explained the inspection process to her client and wasn't there a few minutes early as she should have been. 

Joseph,

Sorry to hear you had an agent trying to tell you about how to do your job!  I hate when that happens.  Just curious, did the house pass inspection?

Just like every agent will go about selling a house in a different manner, each inspector can be different. I agree with John!

Hmm... I recommend Mr. Ron Golden from your same company and when my clients choose him they are always happy they did as they are with the rest of my list I give out. These days feathers get ruffled much quicker. Have a great weekend.

Joseph, thanks for the post.

There's just so much I DON'T know about inspections, it's scary! And I've been around a long while, too...

If only there weren't agents out there like that, we could all do our jobs so much easier!  

I just heard a saying that I liked; "He who angers you controls you".   Say it over and over...

Laura, you could be right.

Michelle, I'm not sure what you mean by "pass?"  But it was in pretty good shape.  There's no minimum standard (around here) a house must be in for it to get sold, just whatever the buyer will accept.  But there were a few items on the roof that I wouldn't have found if I hadn't walked it (how ironic).

Rob, I agree there are all sorts of different types of inspectors... from fantastic to pathetic (like any industry).

Keith and Robin, you're right about "feathers getting ruffled" more these days.  I don't blame sellers for being tense with the way the housing market is.

Lanette, feel free to browse my posts, I try to make them educational (bsides this one that is more of a rant).

Ida, I like your saying, there's a lot of truth to it.

The agent was clearly out-of-line in the way she talked with you.  I can imagine scenarios arising, though, where someone is going to blame you for a cracked roofing tile.  I imagine it's just those fears that keep most inspectors at the edge of the roof.

It sounds like someone (hhmmm - inspector maybe) told her that tile roofs can't be walked on so that they did not have to actually inspect it except for looking from the roofs edge. Sorry that you ran into a poopy agent.

Joe, usually there's more than just cracked tiles on the roof.  But I know what you mean.

Patty & Scott, I was thinking the same thing but refrained from saying it out loud to the agent.

Hey Joseph,

This scenario actually works into many of the different segments of our industry.  I've heard real estate agents tell loan officers how to do their jobs, loan officers tell title agents how to do their jobs, etc.  The bottom line is unless you know EXACTLY WHAT THE HELL you are talking about, do what my daddy told me when I didn't know what was going on.  Keep your mouth shut!  The reason you're doing what you're doing ans she's doind what she's doing is the simple fact that you are experts in your chosen profession.  Unless you've got the credentials or the knowledge SHHHHHHH!

Your story is great. I'd have probably have $#%^&*$%* but that's just me. That can apply to everything in the r/e processes. We have a lot of issues with people comparing their comps to ours. Whose "inspection" do you trust?

Go get'um Joe----I have seen agents on occassion like this---more sellers though.  I really do think that most agents don't venture too far into the realm of pretending to know what we do.  One of the agents that recommends me quite a bit used to be a home inspector----and even he wouldn't say anything like your agent did to you.  Maybe they were just having a "dad bay":)

Joseph- Hey you have a Featured Post here, and I for one am glad to see that....You put out the best Posts for Agents, and I have learned tons from you.  I had to laugh though at your Post, especially when you attached your Diploma/Certificate showing your qualification to walk on the roof....do you think she'll read this and give you an apology...... LOL :)

Anyway, I hope she heard you and did in fact "Have a Good Day " ....:) Oh, and the brochures you gave me are one way to help educate people, but these Posts sure are another. 

James, very well stated.

Alan, it's defintely everywhere in the real estate industry.

Charles, everyone certainly has bad days.. you never know.

Kathy, I doubt she's here on AR, but if I ever see her again I'll refer her to my blog.  Thanks so much for the compliments.

Joe, I have never been on a home inspection that I haven't learned something. Congratulations on your featured post!

lmao! this is funny. though, the inspector of my choice always gives a lesson (which is why i love him. he is so educational and my buyers get knowledge and a great inspection), i am a realtor...he is an inspector. i let him do his job and he let's me do mine. our marriage works well that way. i probably would've said this to her if i were you....nice that you kept your cool though...

Margaret, thank for stopping by.

Dee, I don't really have a problem with someone questioning me, it was just that she was so rude, and after I explained myself she still didn't get it.  Oh well.

You hold a lot of power as an inspector, and you are right, there is a huge variety of styles and experience levels amongst different inspectors.  To me, the best are not only knowledgeable, fair, honest, caring, and thorough, but also impartial in their presentations.  I think it is important that all parties involved in a transaction on the buyer's side be present for the presentation of the home inspection.  The agent will have a much more refined relationship with their client and can help smooth over rough spots, or diffuse confusion should the inspection reveal any troubles.

Joseph: Sounds like she may have had a concern with the roof and that you may find it. Hope all turned out well.

Every agent has a different style, but I guarantee that agent has high stress transactions.  There is never a reason to be rude to someone.  Some Sellers hate the inspection process because they think that the inspector is going to give the Buyer reasons to ask for credits.  I always tell my sellers that the inspector is going to find whatever.  It is better to know and have it out in the open rather than get sued later on for an alleged failure to disclose.  Of course, we prep our clients on what to expect and then hold their hands during the process so clients don't freak out.  I am a great believer in low stress transactions.

Joseph, I think that agent was wrong, we all have our part in the transaction.  I have nothing but respect for good, trained inspectors.  In my opinion, they are essential to the transaction.  I recommend that each of my buyers consider paying for a home inspection.  Keep up the good work!

Good grief what a rude person. Likely they knew something was amiss with the roof and were afraid you would discover it.

What a laugh.  She's probably angry because "her" home inspector has a history of not finding much in the way of defects.  Seems to me that when you are a listing agent, the buyer gets to select "their" home inspector. 

Not to worry.  You're probably not the only person to whom she was rude that day.  It's probably her practice in transactions.  We've all seen them.  We learn to ignore them.

Joe, well stated.

Roland, good point.

Peter, it seems like the agent didn't prep her seller.

Tony & Darcy, thank you, and I feel the same way about good agents.

Bob & Carolin, It sure seemed that way but nothing "major" was found.

Lenn, exactly.  I was upset but I didn't react on it.  I heard her hassling the buyer's agent in the house, and I know the buyer's agent and he is a very nice and honest person. 

I could see someone being concerned for your safety on a roof, but it is nowhere near my place to tell someone licensed and certified in another field as to what they should or shouldn't do.

Joseph,

I commend you on remaining professional and keeping your cool. I think that agent either wanted to show off for her client, or was testing you to see if she could push you around. i think she learned quickly she could do neither!

Jeremy, thanks for stopping by.

Ann, thanks for the compliment.  I was a Probation Officer for 5-years, I really learned how to keep my cool through that job.

I can't believe you were treated that way. Some people just think they know it all. Others know they really don't know anything....lol 

I wonder if she shows homes by looking in the windows - give me a break - we hire an inspector to do a good job for our mutual client - if we were the expert we would do it ourselves.... good job being professional

Christy, well said.

Thesa, thanks for stopping by.

Interestingly enough, I would not hav accepted a so-called inspection on my home unless the inspector DID walk on my tile roof.  How else is he supposed to inspect the roof?!!?!? Good post!

Connie, thanks.  I agree, there's so much you can't see from the roof edge.

Good for you for taking a step to try to help educate those realtors who don't understand what a home inspector is intended to do. I would refer realtors to ASHI and CREIA websites as well so that they can get an idea of the standards of practive.

Welcome to the world of "there are rude realtors out there". I run in to them everyday and it blows me away. I can't believe she talked to you that way. Sorry you had to deal with that.

When I was in CA (15 years) tile roofs were always an issue and few inspectors would walk on them.  I think it is great that you go one step further.  Many inspectors simply write in their reports to have a roofing company inspect.  Your service is excellent!

Chris, I agree, those are both good sites.

LaNita, that made me laugh... unfortunately there's some in every profession.

Diane, thanks so much.  If someone isn't trained, I don't blame them.

Imagine if that realtor had convinced the sellers not to let you inspect the roof by walking on it, and for the sake of argument you had to oblige.  Then in a few months the new owners realize there's a problem with the roof that you would have picked up on by being able to properly and professionally inspect the roof.  In my state, the outcome would not bode well for that agent or her clients.  The agent should send you a thank you note for showing her how to act professionally.  (I'm sure the note is "in the mail")

Hi Joseph, just as all inspectors are not created equally all agents are not created equally.  It is truly amazing how many uninformed people out there.  Everyone in this business should take it upon themselves to get the appropriate education and training.  Have a great week!

Matt, I think your scenario could very well happen.  Thanks.

Richard, there definitely are all types of people out there.

Hey Joseph, Take a look at my post Builder vs Inspector.  Builder tried to "strong arm" us by putting blame on inspector.

Joeph, That agent was out of line in challenging you. I went to many classes in the course of getting my CRS, and, in every case, the advise given to us as agents was to stay out of the inspection process. We are professionals at selling real estate, you guys are the professionals in the inspection area. That is why clients hire you.

I've heard of agents (typically the listing agent) who refute the inspectors reports and, by doing so, they are opening themselves to liability. I usually go to the inspection as a courtesy to my buyers, but I explain in advance that my job there is to stay out of the inspector's way. I may have an occassional question on something we've noticed before, but, if so, I direct the question to the inspector in the presence of my client, so that he can provide the answer.

I see that you are a member of ASHI, which demonstrates your professionalism. I enjoy reading your posts.