Home : Blogs : Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector : Russel's blog

An open letter to Realtors...

I just came from an inspection that left a bad taste in my mouth. I always try to be Pleasant, Polite, Personable, and Professional, but this one had me at a boiling point because one of the Realtors was just incessantly snappy.

The property was 2,850 square feet and selling for $494,500. I always pull the public records and MLS listing sheets (even the old ones) to get to know as much as I can about the property before I ever get there.

My inspection fee was $$649 and I saw that the listing agent had a 6% contract, so both Realtors were getting 3% of $494,500, or $14,835, of which some of that is going to the two brokers. The listing had been taken in early August and my Clients had found me on the Internet. I hadn't worked with either of these two Realtors before, so I'm always willing to give someone three strikes before I make a decision about them. But three strikes in 15 minutes?

Obviously I was not the inspector of choice for my Clients' Realtor. But is that my fault? Immediately after we had shaken hands and exchanged business cards, she said, "My inspector would have been here 30 minutes ago." Now I got there five minutes early; she really had nothing to complain about. It didn't get any better. She used every stereotype in the book:

"My inspector never has anyone sign paperwork." (Perhaps he doesn't carry insurance—E&O, GL, AD&D, Life, Workers' Comp)
"My inspector would never make someone pay before doing the job." (He runs his company as he sees fit, and I run mine as I see fit.)
"My inspector would only have charged $400." (He probably doesn't have 43 years of experience in real estate.)
"Would you give my Clients a discount of a couple hundred dollars?" (No, but since I am a former Realtor, I understand that you are a negotiator, always trying to get a better price. But my time and knowledge are all I have to sell, and I know my expenses, so I know what I have to charge.)
"I can give you more work in the future if you'll work with us on the price here." (I'm working with you right now, and as I've discovered after 43 years of being in real estate, the promise of future work doesn't mean that there will be future work. Now if we create a nice, mutually beneficial business relationship, then after, oh, say, about 10 inspections, I'd be very happy to work with you on future pricing.)
"You can't even give them a $20 discount just to show that you're a good guy?" (Did you give them a discount on your commission? If not, then I know you're going to gross $14,835. If $20 is so important to you, why don't you pay $20 of their home inspection for them.) (Thought, but not said: In fact, I have many Realtors who would never think of having their Clients pay for the home inspection. They pay my fees themselves and simply consider it a part of their overhead. Would you like to pay my fee on behalf of your Clients to show that you're a "good girl"? No? That's what I thought.)

Realtors, I love you dearly. I really do. I used to be one of you back in Houston in the 1970s-1980s when the Texas oil boom was going bust. But please, please, please let us home inspectors run our businesses (unless you're our spouses, and then you can help).

I feel really bad, so I think I'm going to have to go out to eat at On The Border and have a margarita with some jalapeno nachos.

Posted by Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector on 08/21/2008 10:53 AM

Comments (104)

Home Inspection in the ActiveRain Channel

home inspector, realtor relations, on the border, margarita, jalapeno, discount, home inspection fee

Post is included in group: Southern California Real Estate Forum
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Everything California

104 Comments on An open letter to Realtors...

AUG

2008

WOW! Why would you expect any future business when all she did was compare you to HER INSPECTOR? I hope you did an excellent job for YOUR clients, and showed her up. Unreal!

Hi Russel. Love the post.

Sometimes we live down to our reputations.

Ken

The nerve of that agent. I never ask an inspector to decrease their fees. I hand a list of inspectors to my clients and let them choose who they want to use. They know upfront what the cost is. I also have never paid for inspections on behalf of my clients. If they can afford to buy a home, then they can afford to pay for the inspection.

Russel - A "Realtor" should be very careful about pushing clients to use "her inspector". It's best all to refer more than one inspector to a client. A Realtor should not be steering clients to use a specific service provider at all. Of course we can offer our referrals and advice but, I don't consider any of the inspectors that my clients use to be "MY inspector". The inspector works for the buyer......not the Realtor. Go enjoy that Margarita !! Tomorrow is another day.

"MY inspector?" WOW!! That says it all. Somehow that seems to be so obviously contrary to proper and objective agent attitude toward service providers.

We are not all like that Russel. Some manners would have been nice from her! I, too, give several recommendations but only if I am asked first. I don't want the responsibility of choosing, arms length and alll that.

Hey, Folks. Thanks for stopping by. I haven't left yet because I'm a wreck and I think a wreck on the roads could cause a wreck. I'll settle down some before I hit the road.

Jennifer—Yeah, I actually hadn't thought about it from that perspective.

Ken—There are people in every profession who live down to, not necessarily the profession, but themselves. Thankfully 98% of the Realtors I work with are Pleasant, Polite, Personable, and Professional, but sometimes that other 2% can just really ruin a day.

Angelia—I regulyar have Realtors ask me to lower my fees. I understand that it will make the Realtor look really good if they can say to their Client, "By the way, I got him to lower his fee for you. He was asking for $xxx and I got him to lower it to $yyy." Realtors in my neck of the woods handle many of the transactions from start to finish, including recommend pest control companies, home inspectors, title companies, escrow companies, even to the extent of naming specific people who work for those companies. Many Realtor see the cost of paying the inspection fee for their Clients as simply an opportunity to do something that their competitors don't do.

Christine—I personally think that if you know who the best is, then it is in your Clients' best interest to refer them to the best. I understand when the governments and businesses send out requests for bids and take the lowest one but do you really want to drive over a bridge built by the lowest bidder? Or fly in an airplance built bu the lowest bidder? I provide service professional referrals to my Clients but if they ask me for the best, I'm not going to say, "I can't give you the name of the best, but here are three names to choose from." That just doesn't make sense to me and, in my opinion, just is not in the best interest of my Clients.

Well the buyer chose you, if that is a correct assumption from your post. That's none of her business and if they chose you they knew what your fees are. she can recommend inspectors that she likes, but jeez!!!!

Russel, I do not understand why an inspector from San Diego is working in my area. Oh wait, Realtors like that exist everywhere? I hoped it was only a local anomaly.

You were polite and professional. Not blowing up on her is admirable, even if she deserved it.

Kudos to You!

Some agents just aren't worth the trouble are they?

Russell, I think the agent was incredibly rude. Did her clients NOT know (and agree to) your fee up front? I'd say no thanks to future work from her, not worth the third degree!

Did she make the "never use until you die" (or whatever it's called) list?

AUG

2008

Hey, Kevin and Charles. Yes, she made my "Never-use-while-I'm-alive" list. Fortunately, after seven years and thousands of inspections, there are only seven Realtors on it. I do have some Realtors who are on my aggravation list. When they or their Clients call, I tack on a $5,000 aggravation surcharge or tell them that I'm booked solid until Christmas Day, but I do work 24/7/365, so we can do it at 1:00 p.m. then if you'd like. LOL

Debbie—Not only did they know about the fee, but they had actually seen my service agreement several days in advance, so they were well aware of my requirements there, to.

Jason—Whomever you are, and wherever you are, thanks so much for the e-card. It made my day.

RR, Hope the margaritas and nachos hit the spot!

Let's be glad there are others (like those who have responded here) who are Pleasant, Professional, Personable and Polite.

Great blog RR, I'll have to subscribe to keep in touch with great inspection observations and input.....Thanks!!

Margarita and Nachos sound good about now.

In business we all run across all sorts of people and all sorts of commentary.

The client chose you to do the inspection and the

agents should respect that.

You did the right thing by sticking to your guns... and the agent only made herself/hisself look bad. Its a little early in CA for a margarita, isnt it???

Sounds like the agent thought it was "all about her" rather than about the property inspection for her client. Can you spell E - G - O?!

I mean the gall of you having a business plan, sticking to it, and what the heck...wanting to be profitable. Forget that! (sarcasm alert for those that miss it).

I brought my HI some iced tea-lemonade from Starbucks last time he did an inspection for my clients. Some of us really do like you guys!

MMMMMM. Ice tea lemonade? I'm not too far from Salem. LOL

Russell- I enjoyed reading your post. I can't believe the nerve of that woman! "My Inspector" are you kidding me? Her exclusive relationship with "her inspector" is going to bite her in the @#$ someday. As a Realtor you should always give your buyers a few different options for building inspectors.

I don't know how you kept your cool with that woman, but kudos to you.

Russel

First, you need to remember, there are one or two or even 7 of those types of people in every group, Agents, Inspectors, Lenders, Car Salesmen, and even priests (quickly ducks). They are not the norm, but the poor exception.

Also, a few people consider me rather cold hearted because I can blow off such events so easily. Like I have no feelings at all. But trust me, I do have feelings but I also have a sense to use them. When something like this happens just ask yourself a few questions...

1) Did you do your job for your client? - To me it sounds like you did

2) What are you losing? - Her future business? Did you have her business yesterday? If you never had it, what did you lose? Nothing.

3) Did she/he take your birthday away? - She took nothing from you, in fact you stood your ground and held your principles and business plan intact. How is that bad?

4) Are you still going to be with your family tonight? Does what happen make them love you less? - The people that really matter in your life don´t even know it happened and will treat you just as before. So what changed? Nothing.

5) Always remember, the most sure fire way to piss off someone, is to refuse to get angry yourself when they push you. - People who try and intimidate do so in a quest for power, by not giving them that power, they themselves feel unimportant or like they have lost.

Myself, as a back-up plan, I keep a picture of the wife and kids in my truck. I go out to the truck for a moment, look at it, reinforce what is important and walk back in standing tall.

As my super fail safe plan, if I do come home angry, I just stand at the door for a second and wait for my girls to come give me a hug. NOTHING has ever survived that. I always have a smile after my hugs.

You did the first part and didn´t stoop to his/her level. Now do the second, and forget about it (except as a lesson learned) and continue life. The stress and headaches are not worth wasting on someone who means zero to you.

Russel - I like your style. I am going to subscribe to your blog based on this post alone. Good stuff! By the way, you don't look old enough to have been in business so long - well done!

Inspectors here in Tennessee must be licensed these days.. this is a good thing for the buyers. The only thing now is they put so much junk wanting certified this and that to look at the property. This way they are "Protected"

Hi Russell, Take a deep breath, Feel better ? That agent really got you going ! She probably acts that way with customers also ! Sounds like you handled it very well !

Russel,

I am happy to say that experiences like that are rare around here. I can think of a couple that went that way but most realtors I work with are professional. I had one guy who really irked me and he worked at an office where several agents I like also worked. I was afraid he would badmouth me as we did not really hit it off. He was calling me two days later complaining about my report being critical of an obvious rat infestation. Then I talked to an agent at the office and she said they cannot stand him either.

Russel,

It's obvious your a professional and I want to thank you for that....I can't tell you how much as a Realtor that I CAN appreciate that.

3 things come to mind:

Realtor in question needs to remember that sometimes you get what you pay for!

You usually get more with sugar than vinegar!

And in reference to the margarita's, IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE!

With people like that you can likely expect that even if you gave the $20 there would not be future business ---and in truth , do you really want more of that sort of business?

You are a indeed a professional with class Russell. I really enjoy this blog. Like you said,how come the real estate agent couldn't pay for the inspection? And I will give you more business if you deduct the bill by $20? Whatever. Big fat liar. Great post.

Hey, Folks. Thanks for stopping by today.

This morning's inspection was my typical inspection. I did everything I normally do in using my business and inspecting protocols. The Realtor encouraged her Clients to ask questions ("He's here for you"), follow me around if they wanted to ("You can see what he's doing for you"), and ask questions ("Don't forget that he's here working for you"). At the end while I was going over items she re-inforced everything I said ("Do you understand what he's saying?") and encouraged them to ask questions ("Do you have any questions about that?").

Have I been in the same world the past two days?

Hey, John. Jim told me about you. I also like your style. I really liked your item 5. My wise old grandmother told me to "kill 'em with kindness."

Russell I agree! Realtors should handle what they hopefully do well and leave inspection to folks like you! although I spent sixteen years in construction and have on more than one occasion, heard some blatantly false reporting I always keep my mouth shut and wait until a better time to address any differences and most of the tme it is just a communication style and not actual facts that are in dispute! I also believe that we will all stay out of trouble when EVERYTHING possible is disclosed!

Thanks!

Hey, Jason. Are you sure want to subscribe to a blog by a Texas Aggie (Class of '77)? LOL.

I'm with you - EVERYONE should pay for inspections BEFORE you even walk in the door!

It's good to see that you stuck to your guns. With 43 years under your belt you clearly knew how the process should go and realized that you didn't need to kowtow to the agent. It does seem like she was coming at you a bit too much, but it sounds like it ended alright. Good post, thanks for sharing your experience!

People are people and not all are easy - whether they be be inspectors or Realtors... Sorry that happened to you:).

I've been inviting my favorite Realtors to ActiveRain, which means that I've skipped over seven of them, oooops, I mean eight.

Russel – there are all kinds of people in every profession – everywhere! You sound like a true professional – worth your inspection fees. I would be concerned about anyone who would discount their services – especially in the fashion you described. I hope you eventually enjoyed your Margarita and jalapeno nachos. Sounds delightful!

I love this post, and all the comments! it sounds like you stood your ground, good job! You are there for the person who is paying you....a realtor should NEVER be the one to pay for an inspection, you will them become responsible in the eyes of your client. Enjoy your margarita, everyone needs one after a day like that!

Care to relocate to Los Angeles, where there are a bunch of inspectors running wild, adding to the bill as they go, coming late, taking only cash, asking whether a 10 year old water heater is new, and if the house is stucco.

And then you have the professional ones, that come on time, wear an id badge and identify themselves, explain to the client prior to the inspection; the scope, price and reporting method. I admire your business practice, having had clients that have actually bounced checks on inspectors for a million dollar house, or the ones that ask <well i thought you would be picking up the tab, since your comission is so great>, we live and learn. There are a lot of realtors that have yet to realize this market is about team work, the one who has the team in place, will work better and close better.

Wish you well in your endeavors. Cheers!!

Hi Russel, I stumbled into a couple of agents like you described in the past myself. Her arrogates got to you, which is understandable. My applause to you for standing your ground.

When people ask me for a discount on a inspection, I'll response with, what part of the inspection would you like for me to compensate for the discount.~Newbie Roy

Thanks to everyone else who has stopped by. The margarita and nachos last night were great.

James—We used to have a bund of inspectors running wild down here. I used to meet them each month at the CREIA/ASHI dinner meetings and was just amazed at their attitudes. Fortunately, they are no longer in business. I should feel sad for them, but I warned them that with such an attitude they wouldn't be able to survive when the real estate market went south, which they never believed it would do. Of course, maybe they moved up into your neck of the woods. LOL

Russel, did you ever find out who was the "preferred" inspector of this Realtor? Without mincing words it sounds a bit sinister kick back-ish to be so blatantly hostile as she was over a $600 inspection? What was her motivation? $600 or a $20 "rebate" are nothing in the big picture when we are talking about a $500k+ property and a $14k+ commission.

It's like a guy buying a Ferrari and then outfitting it with retread tires not Z-rated rubber. Excellent job staying the course and doing what you do best--delivering value.

dean

Great post. I hate to see such people in our business, but I know they're out there.

Russ, that agent is a freakin' creep! If my clients use a home inspector I don't know, I look at him as a possible addition to my list. Margaritas and jalapeno nachos sound like a great idea.

Now today's two inspections were both for Realtors with whom I had never worked because they are new Realtors. Both were referred to me by Realtors who use me exclusively. Both were the epitome of Pleasant, Positive, Polite, and Professional. As we were all leaving the last inspection, which started at 4:30 p.m. and ended at 7:10 p.m., he said, "Thank you so much for coming out for a late inspection. You're very nice and personable. I like that." His name was Richard Morris of Century 21. I shall have to send him an invitation to play in the Rain with us. I don't just invite anyone to play in the Rain. They have to be Pleasant, Positive, Polite, and Professional.

This is very interesting. I don't have "my inspector". In fact I insist that my agents hand out two to three cards and remind the client that yellow pages is out there. The client picks who they want and we facilitate the inspection. ABout the only thing I ever ask for is an e-mail copy of the final report! You seem to be doing a great job, so I'd just ignore her.

Russel - well you seem to do things the way I would expect and how inspectors I use work. That is not an agent I would want to have any dealings with if at all possible. Seems like you handled it diplomatically. You meet all kinds in this business.

Jeff

AUG

2008

Hey, Dean. I didn't ask and I don't really care.

Hey, Simon. I know that there are about 50 Realtors here who consider me their inspector so I won't fault any other Realtor for having their inspector either. But if I ever found out that any of those 50 Realtors were "trying to do" for me what this Realtor was trying to do, they would be on my "Don't-use-again-in-this-lifetime" list.

I have no qualms for others having their preferred service professional because I understand marketing, so I know that I will always have a piece of the pie that satisfies my need to work quite well. However, I also choose to work with Realtors I respect, and this one did not earn my respect. It's not really difficult to earn my respect since all I require are that they be Pleasant, Polite, Personable, and Professional, the Four P's.

Hey, Jeff. Good to see you again. Thanks for stopping by and re-establishing connections from many years ago.

Why didn't you just walk away -- that agent was way out of line. Since her inspector is so much better you could have said, "I'm so sorry that I'm unable to assist you at the level you require - I'd be happy to step aside and let your inspector handle this job. I wish you well." Then just leave. . . . . . ~Evelyn

Russell, in my view that Realtor was way out of line. I view his/her approach as unethical and should have been reported. When I have an inspection done my buyers will choose the inspector. Most of them don't know any inspectors and I will provide them a list of inspectors I have worked with before. They can either choose from that list or research their own. The Inspector's fee is between the inspector and buyer... and the buyer always pays "up front."

Some Realtors think they can control EVERY aspect of every deal, and that is not necessary nor appropriate. I think you handled yourself very well, and frankly, since the buyers found you on the internet, it might have been nice for the agent to call you IN ADVANCE of the inspection and introduce herself over the phone. What a concept.

Wow - that's an agent I'd have a quiet one-on-one with after the inspection.

Russel - we can only hope that the purchaser remembers the lack of professionalism shown by the agent in question when it comes time to sell.

Evelyn—If the Realtor had hired me for her Clients, I probably would have, but I couldn't abandon my Clients who found me on their own. In fact, considering the professionalism of the Realtor in this situation, my Clients might really need me.

Jon—I've never been one to police any of the industries that I have worked in. If I meet up with someone who is negative and unprofessional, I'll just avoid them in the future.

Carol—'Tis an interesting concept, isn't it?

Christina—It would have to have been after a margarita and jalapeno nachos at On The Border, not just anytime "after the inspection."

Kathy—That's my hope, too. One of my very first inspections was on a house that had been beautifully renovated. It was being sold "as is." The Clients got my name from some business associates of theirs. When I crawled under the house, well, I didn't crawl under the house because it was a smelly swamp. I could see from the crawl space entrance that there was a leak over at the kitchen and nearby bathroom, so everything they did in the kitchen (sink, dishwasher) and in the bathroom (toilet, sink) was pouring into the crawl space. My Clients pulled out of the purchase on the spot, which really upset the Realtor, who proceeded to throw a hissy fit out on the street curb, calling me and her Clients every name in the book. A couple of weeks later, I got called to do a second inspection for them. I declined, which shocked them. I was up front and honest and told them that I didn't want to be associated with their Realtor. They didn't either; they had fired her the day after the first inspection. I did two more inspections for these Clients before they found the house that was right for them and her mom. I've never understood such actions on the part of the Realtor because even if the first escrow fails, don't those people still need a home? Such short-term thinking just makes me wonder. I do know the Realtor was not in business a year later—duh.

AUG

2008

Can't say it enough to realtors. This blog should be required reading for realtors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SEP

2008

Russel - your posts are extremely entertaining. Some people, agents or otherwise, just don't really get it...good for you for sticking to your guns.

SEP

2008

I second Erin. Your posts are always entertaining. People are people, some good, some not so much. Hope the evening out helped!

DEC

Russel,

I not only welcome an inspector, but with open arms - doesn't matter which party I represent.

DEC

Wow! This left me speechless! I would NEVER ask an inspector to lower his fees. I had an inspection company who sent me a coupon for $25 off the next inspection on a future buyer (I had used them several times before). I called in to schedule the inspector and they had to call my buyer for their credit card as they were out of town and not able to come to the inspection. It took them 3 days to get the inspection report to my buyer and me and did not honor the $25 coupon for him. They are a good inspection company but I haven't called them back and probably won't. There are great inspectors out there and they all need work, buyers and agents have choices. AND so do the inspectors! I'm glad you stood your ground. You have been in the business a long time, know what your time is worth and charge accordingly!

DEC

Hey, Ron.

I have a lot of Realtors who refer me exclusively, but I've never heard any of them refer to me as their inspector.

Hey, David.

You can get too much "arm's length" if you refer inspectors just for the sake of referring them. Make sure you refer the best.

Hey, Amy.

True, but I do understand that some Realtors think that because they have been hired to help with the real estate transaction, the Client should accept the Realtor's word on everything relating to the transaction, including using the Realtor's preferred service providers.

Hey, Mark.

I'm a pretty easy-going Southern boy, so I don't blow up, but I sure do think about things when I get home!

Hey, Rick.

I see you've learned the Power of P.

Hey, Lewis.

Glad to have you as a subscriber. Hope I can continue to provide helpful info.

Hey, Aventura.

I'll give almost everyone three strikes before they are out, but getting three strikes in five minutes is pretty unusual.

Hey, Robert.

I'm sure it was noon somewhere! LOL

Hey, Tony.

Yes, it did seem that way. Her and her inspector.

Hey, Melina.

I'm glad I don't work in your area. Iced-tea lemonade from Starbucks? Yuk! LOL

Hey, Kevin.

Yes, you can take my place working with Melina in Oregon - LOL.

Hey, Rick.

I don't mind someone referring the best they know. I actually think that's better than giving them a list of people and letting them choose someone that might be less than satisfactory.

Hey, John.

You get hugs, I listen to The Beatles. They have music for every mood, and to take me in or out of every mood.

Hey, Jason.

I think my looks has something to do with staying south of Interstate 10 and out of the cold and snow.

Hey, Roland.

Unfortunately, all licensing does is throw up another barrier to entry. It doesn't prevent someone from entering a profession if they want to. It also can provide the public with a false sense of security because the inspectors meet those minimum standards. Just about anyone who studies can pass a licensing exam. We saw it with Realtors out here during the housing boom.

Hey, Bill.

She's on my you-know-what list. I have a few Realtors with whom I don't work, even if their Clients find me on their own.

Hey, Steven.

I know of one Realtor like that. She is so despised by the people she works with that every six months she changes office. Hmmmmmmm.

Hey, Sheila.

I learned about margaritas on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. I know you've been there. LOL

Hey, Bob and Carolin.

No, I don't want future business from her. The beauty of being self-employed.

Hey, Lanre.

I've been in many businesses, but it did take three strikes for me to learn to give discounts on past business, not on future business.

Hey, Russell.

I've seen some communication styles that do a disservice to the home inspection industry, so your post doesn't surprise me. There are good and bad in every industry.

Hey, Susan.

I used to have a company where I got paid nine-twelve months after doing the work. Never again!

Hey, Ilyce.

In my 43 years, I've learned to keep my mouth shut out in public, think about it while listening to The Beatles on the way home, and then letting it go. I do keep records, though, in my Excel database - LOL.

Hey, Courtney.

Or in any other industry. It happens, we deal with it, we move on.

Hey, Kathleen.

I think the 80/20 rule applies to just about everything in life: 80% of everything is good, 20% is bad. I ran into a twenty-percenter.

Hey, Anna.

Who pays for the inspection is immaterial in California. Dad can pay for daugher, mom can pay for son, husband can pay for ex-wife, Realtor can pay, etc. It's who signs the service agreement that creates the Client/Service Provider relationship. Heck, perhaps the current financial bailout would like to pay for home inspections for everyone!

Hey, Roy.

I've heard about that response, but I just invite the Realtor to make up the difference. That usually ends the conversation.

Hey, Dean.

No I didn't, and I don't really care.

Hey, Jerry.

Yes, they are out there. When we find them, we just have to know how to deal with it on a professional level.

Hey, Patricia.

I like your attitude. Whenever I meet someone new in any industry, I do they same - a possible addition to my service provider list.

Hey, Simon.

I actually believe that you increase your liability by not referring the best inspector you know. Why would you want your Client, whom you are supposed to care about, to pick someone willy-nilly out of the Yellow Pages? Doesn't make sense to me. Ask around your office and find out who the most thorough inspectors are - they usually are referred to as "deal killers" -- and then refer them. That is what will reduce your liability and keep you out of court.

Hey, Jeff.

I enjoy the diversity I find in "meeting all kinds," but I also don't have a problem keeping a list of who's naughty and who's nice - LOL.

Hey, Robert.

That's why I made it an "open letter to Realtors." LOL

Hey, Erin.

Are you trying to tell me that I should be an entertainer rather than a home inspector? LOL

Hey, Wendy.

You're not too far from Erin. All I need is an audience of two, payment in advance, and I'll entertain for a couple of hours! LOL

Hey, Julie.

I think you represent most Realtors.

Hey, Dorie.

I hope you talked with the inspection company since I hope it was just an oversight and anomaly. That's why I will give anyone one strike. But I do keep records, too.

DEC

Dear Russel,

It is such a shame that professionals sometimes don't treat each other professionally! I bet you wouldn't be interested in helping her schedule a last minute inspection when she is in a bind!

DEC

Russel, You've got to run your business like a business...as do realtors. Time is money and overhead does not get any easier. You did the right thing. All business owners face this stuff daily. Thanks.

DEC

Hey RR nice to see you again. I guess I'll wade in here. I too have many Relators that refer me. Not as many as you but I know of 25 of them that give my card out regularly along with several other cards as well. And when asked by their client who they would refer the Realtors all say " I have given you the 3 I know of and just so you know I work with Mark much more than the others " If asked why they tell their clients about my service and explain what seperates me from others. With this in mind I like you have no problem with a Realtor having her inspector. LOL I also like you have picked to not do business with some for various reasons most being ethics. If asked to not find to much wrong which seems to be some Realtors way of choosing THEIR INSPECTOR, I do my normal inspection likeevery other one. I try to be as consistent as possible. I do however write down their name and keep it posted in my office. I have had several call me to do another inspection for them but unfortunately < I am Booked that whole week and my prices have gone up way to much for them. > LMAO I then pour myself a drink and reflect on how nice it is to work with the professionals I do. Hope all is well with you and your partner RR. Keep up the good work.

FEB

Great post Russell, I especially got a kick out of it because that's EXACTLY what I did last night! I finished 2 inspections, fairly late in the evening, so the wife and daughter had gone to a dinner at a nearby town and I was too late to join. SO, I stopped by the little Mexican food restaurant here in Hutto TX and had a couple nice margaritas and fajita nachos! LOL My inspections went much better than the one you mentioned, THAND GOODNESS! Hope I never encounter that kind of realtor. Keep up the good work!

Hey, Glen.

I see you're in Austin, but I'm totally unfamiliar with Hutto. I graduated from Texas A&M, and am a Native Texan, so I'll have to look Hutto up on the map and see where you are.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?