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The "Deal Killer" Debate Continues

By John McKenna

Education & Training with InfraredClass.com

April 22, 2007 06:16 AM

John McKenna

AMERICAN HOME INSPECTION

The "Deal Killer" Debate Continues at this link:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/5955...ller-Inspector

This thread will give you more insight and information on how Realtors and Inspectors see the Inspection process than an all day educational coarse. Very informative. This information could make or break a lot of deals if you do not know how to deal with it. It could save someone from a huge law suite if you understand the conflict of interest that is discussed in this thread.

John B McKenna is a Certified Master Inspector serving the East Texas area. John has been licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and approved by TREC as an inspector trainer. He has more than 25 years experience in the construction industry and is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). He continues to update his yearly education and testing requirements. Visit his company website at www.texas-inspection.com, or call his office at 1-888-818-4838 (Toll Free) for more information.

Complete Home Inspection Service For Conroe, Lufkin, Bryan, Crockett, College Station, Livingston, Palestine, Nacogdoches, Athens, Jacksonville, Huntsville, Lake Palestine, Lake Conroe, Lake Livingston, Corsicana.

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Jason Vombaur

Keller Williams - Vancouver, WA

The key to have a good inspectors is someone that explains what is wrong and how to fix it. The agent wants work with an inspectors that does find problems but knows how to explain it to the buyer correctly.

Apr 22, 2007 06:23 AM

Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP

Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ

There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

The agent also wants to work with inspectors who are realistic about flaws and don't inflate the problem to the buyers.

Antoinette

Apr 22, 2007 06:26 AM

Roger Stensland

Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA

Let's Move!

I want an inspector that is not an alarmist, but calls it how it is. I worked with a particular home inspector for the first time a few days ago. During our conversation she said that if wanted special favors, omitting deal breaker information, then she would not work with me again. I informed her that she is exactly the type of inspector that I was looking for. She was very thorough, even to the point of calling issues that didn't conform to code even though the building inspector signed off on everything. This was new construction. The bottom line is that my clients deserve to know everything that could impact their home. Just the same as you would when you are buying a home.

Apr 22, 2007 06:42 AM

InfraredClass.com - Dallas, TX

Most little problem do not kill the deal, no matter how you phrase them. Most big problem will kill the deal no matter how many times you water it down with nice words. If a Realtor feels they are superior to the Inspector and see only through the colored glasses of "making the sale", then any verbiage that kills the deal will be wrong in the Realtors eyes, many times.

What are some examples of inflating a problem?

Apr 22, 2007 06:44 AM

Good post Roger... worth repeating. (BRAVO!!!)

"The bottom line is that my clients deserve to know everything that could impact their home. Just the same as you would when you are buying a home."

Apr 22, 2007 06:49 AM

Anonymous

Will Decker

I fully agree with the above, but with some explaination.

I am a home inspector. I have had some Realtors who spend most of their time explaining to my client that what I call out is minor (and it usually is, with regards to the danger or cost of fixing it), but when the problem is not minor, they still down play it.

Many times a Realtor will say, "I have been doing this for 30 years and that is no big problem." I don't arguewith them, but simply explain the issues, expain the possible fixes (but never 'band-aid' fixes) and give them a rough estimate of the costs involved. As an HI, I don't get involved with who is responsible to fix it (buyer or seller), that is up the the lawyers to negotiate (in our area, RE lawyers are used).

Another point to consider. In our state (illinois) the HI law specifically states the category of "significantly deficient". This is defined as "A system, item or component that a) doesn't work, or b) presents a reasonable possibility of personal ingury or property damage because the item is damaged, deteriorated, improperly installed or changes in current construction practices." This last point is interesting.

House built in the 1960s, no GFCI protection. By local code, the owner cannot be required to installe GFCI protection, but this is still an unsafe condition because of changes in current construction practice. The house is not 'safe' according to current construction standards, therefore the lack of GFCI electrical protection makes the electrical system "significantly deficient" and I am reauired by law to call it out as such. Easy fix (about $13.00 per receptacle, even less expensive if the circuit breaker is cnaged to a GFCI breakter), but I have seen Realtors go nuts over me calling this out. I explain the situation to the client and explain how it can be easily fixed. But I am also required to state that the work should be done by a licensed and insured electrical contactor (even though a handyman, or a handy client, could to the work.).

I see this of an example of the agents not being aware of what the state law requires of home inspectors. They find it easier to just cll us 'deal killers'.

Hope this helps;

Decker Home Services, LLC

www.DeckerHomeServices.com

Apr 22, 2007 07:47 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

John,

I'm so glad you followed up. Because I missed the first article. I wanted to comment on both but I got carried away so I post my thoughts separably, at: Dealer Killers

Keep up the good work, on the blog and protecting consumers and professionals in the feild.

Bill\

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Invewstment Institute

http://www.reii.org

Apr 22, 2007 11:21 AM

Joe Kormos

A-1st Look Home Inspectors Inc. - Bloomingdale, IL

Some deals just need to be renegotiated, can't make a

Cadillac out of a Yugo now can you.

Apr 23, 2007 03:48 AM

And there also the ever so popular "AS IS". I also feel that this is where the "Pre Listing" inspection is worth its weight in Gold. for all parites involved, the Seler, the Realtor, the lender.

Apr 23, 2007 03:58 AM

The "Deal Killer" Debate Continues

AMERICAN HOME INSPECTION

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