I would like to know what Realtors really want and look for in a home inspector. I want this to be a very broad topic of discussion and hope many Realtors respond with open heart honesty. Lets face it, one will never know how another thinks unless one tells the other!
Cant wait to hear from all of you out there.
I work with an ASHI-associated, licensed inspector. He is absolutely great. He takes his work seriously and refuses to compromise on results. His name is Jack Feldman.
We joke that some Realtors (the bad ones) avoid him because he will find the faults in a home. I think we all know that some Realtors prefer inspectors to "help" the deal work out with no problems. Unethical Realtors suggest / recommend inspectors who are known to offer soft inspections that are designed to get a check rather than inspect a home.
If I take my role as Realtor seriously, I want the best inspector working with me. I want my buyers to be protected. Moreover, I want my sellers to know their home via a pre-listing inspection. I suggest strongly that we put the very best product on the market that is possible.
As a builders representative, I like a home inspector who knows current building codes. It's been off putting to be noted on an inspection as not meeting code, and requiring some type of remedy, when the house just passed it's final inspection! My builder hasn't built something that wasn't up to code yet. But we've had some inspectors that certainly weren't up to speed, if you know what I mean.
Richard Barbee,
I'm glad to hear you use an inspector from reputable organization. I belong to InterNACHI. These organizations guarantee your inspector is getting much more education than most states require. I too take my job seriously and strive hard to be a man of my word. It seems this is a disappearing trait in many businesses. Ive dealt with many Realtors who dictate to me how long, excuse me, how short my report should be. I hope many more Realtors will discover a good inspector protects their good name.
As for pre-listing inspections, I think those are extremely valuable. I offer a move in certified inspection. If a house has no major defects I place a very eye catching sign in the yard along with the Realtor sign and post the inspection online for everyone to see. You can read more about that on my site here. This is an outstanding marketing tool every Realtor should use.
Keep up the good work!
Bethany Little,
I believe most inspectors do try to stay current on codes. In all fairness though, we are not code inspectors. Any inspector that is quoting code should have a license in the subject they are quoting and give a code reference in the report. We do however make opinions whether something may or may not meet code. Also in fairness, not everything that meets code is the best way to do it. Our job is to point out the condition of the house at a specific time and date. This should include current problems, potential problems, better building techniques, and any above average item for a house.
The above average items are an inspectors weakest points. It so easy to get caught up in finding faults that we forget to look for exceptional items as well. As a builders Realtor, my suggestion to you is find out the exceptional/above average items in a house and point these out to the inspector and ask him or her to report those items as well.
Just do me a favor and do it respectful as nobody likes to be told how to do their job. lol Also you can also ask inspectors to add recommendations for home warranties with faults that are found. This helps you sell homes and warranties! How bout that for teamwork!
Good luck and super sales to you!
It's not my job to point out exceptional items, though I do, occassionally, when it merits it.
I tell em:
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Remember, when reading the report, that you didn't have me there to tell you how pretty it is, how nice the backyard is, what a great school district it might be in or how well it will fit your family's needs. You had me there to tell you about the problems and that is what the inspection and report do. These problems don't make it a bad house, just a house that needs some fixing.
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Betany says "It's been off putting to be noted on an inspection as not meeting code, and requiring some type of remedy, when the house just passed it's final inspection!"
Did the code inspector get out of his car or did he just hand the final inspection sticker thru the window to the builder? It does happen.
Erby, you are correct. Unfortunately this does happen. I have read and discussed this very issue in other forums within INACHI. If I can find it, I will post a news video about this very problem. Seems in some area's builders can pay bonuses to code inspectors for jobs that get done faster or turn a blind eye to some problems. They can even hire their own inspectors! Where is the accountability in that?
Lets keep in mind that keeping within code is not necessarily the best way to build. Unfortunately for home inspectors, we don't get the opportunity to see a building under construction and thus don't get to see all the hidden aspects of homes.
In fairness, not all code inspectors are bad, and not all home inspectors are good. Do your due diligence when shopping for a builder. Go talk to your local lumber suppliers, and I'm not talking Lowe's or Home Depot. They should be able to give yo the inside scoop on the good, bad, and the ugly builders. Its amazing what you will find out when you talk to a businesses suppliers.
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