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What More Can You Do?

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

Sometimes the cosmos throws you a blurry question mark.  Should you interpret it, get upset, throw it out as aberration or chalk it up to good luck?

I received an email at 1130pm, from a potential home buyer, requesting a home inspection.  I get them all the time.

I responded at 430am, typical for me.  I answered his questions and referred him to my website to learn more about me.

No further communication happened for two days.

Two days later I received another late-at-night email.  This is it, quoted.

It read:

"Thank you for your quick response!  You were the first to respond to me.  You have the best website of anyone else I contacted.  It is very complete and gave me a wonderful picture of your many services.  Your book looks like a great resource.  I feel like I know you.

You should know that you came very highly recommended by my Realtor, a friend who previously used your service and two web business-rating services.  Your great reputation precedes you.

Unfortunately, we selected another company to perform our inspection."

What do you say to THAT!?

May I translate what he did not say:  The other company charged $25 less.  Their service is not as comprehensive as yours, or their experience, or their report or final product, but we are paying $625K for our home and need to save pennies.  Maybe we will use you next time - when this bad experience teaches us to use the most reputable inspector even if slightly more expensive.

Maybe I am dreaming as I offer that translation.  But maybe not!!

I am going to chalk it up to good luck.

My recommendation:  The cheapest service is rarely the better service.  Maybe, but likely not.  When looking for a home inspector, shop around for experience and reputation, NOT price!

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments(31)

Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jay, familiar story well put---just makes you scratch your head.

Aug 31, 2009 02:28 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

You already knew those things but in spite of writing them, they really did not. Yep, it was GOOD LUCK! Kate

Aug 31, 2009 03:18 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Charlie - sometimes the cosmos doesn't make any sense...

Kate - me thinks so too!  You don't have a frog stuck to you do you?  I can't find Croakster anywhere - I think he must be planning something.

Aug 31, 2009 11:09 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Yes, he's here but he said it was okay with you if he visited the desert for a few days. I am keeping him in water so he does not dehydrate.

Aug 31, 2009 11:17 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Wow, I knew he had been around the pond a few times, but da desaht?

Aug 31, 2009 11:21 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

he said he hopped into a train coming this direction. I will send him back Wednesday.

Aug 31, 2009 11:26 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Just had a similar experience a few days ago. Was recommended to this woman by her agent. I had actually helped her indirectly with the sale of her home. I gave her agent the name of structural engineer I know. Reason was her last inspector missed a structural flaw that cost her $8000 to fix. During our conversation regarding inspecting her new home she kept on talking about price. I would bet the guy she hired to inspect her last house was the cheapest. Some people just don't learn.

Aug 31, 2009 12:48 PM
Eric Middleton
Closer Look Property Inspections Inc. - Uniondale, NY
Professional Property Inspector

Hey Jay,

Wow that's crazy! Keep your head up any way, and keep your reputation high. The way you ended your post drives home the point, that people get what they pay for.

Aug 31, 2009 01:10 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Kate - I am glad he is sticking to you.  He has stuck to much less desireable things in the past...

You have water there?!

James - life experience can be a cruel teacher, and, as you say, sometimes people just don't get it.

Eric - it happens!  It has happened before and I don't like it, but someone else always calls.  This is such a big purchase - you would think they would want to start with the best protection.

Aug 31, 2009 10:29 PM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

He is enjoying our soaking tub. He's a little slimy though isn't he?

Sep 01, 2009 01:36 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Jay,

You are probably right, price. The thing that is weirdest is that they got back to you. Typically, and probably for the best, such people just fade away and you wonder what happened.

Sep 01, 2009 01:42 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Sticky, Kate, sticky...

You are right, Steve.  Usually they give you the old, "Well, we will keep checking around and get back to you later" line.  Every now and then there are the polite ones who get back though.

Sep 01, 2009 06:15 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Sorry I did not know slimy was offensive to a frog. I will refrain from using the term in the future.

Sep 01, 2009 06:28 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You put that in his head.  You said he should "stick" to you, or by you, at the Come To Nutsy Meeting.  Now he thinks he's "sticky."  I can tell you that when he is wet he is a slimy fellow, in the wet sense of the word...

Sep 01, 2009 07:33 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Okay Jay, well, I like that. He SHOULD stick with me unlike Nutsy who tried to embezzle my inheritance from Grandpa Henry. By the way, even though Croakster is having a wonderful time, he is getting homesick. I think I will fed-ex him back tomorrow. Will someone be home to sign for him?

Sep 01, 2009 08:01 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

No one will be home.  Just put on the Fedex special instruction space to throw him into the pond beside the house.  The Fedex guy knows it is there.  Thanks, and I am sure he has had a good time.  The girls (in the pond...) will be happy he is home.

Sep 01, 2009 08:05 AM
Eric Middleton
Closer Look Property Inspections Inc. - Uniondale, NY
Professional Property Inspector

Hey Jay,

I think the best thing for us as inspectors to do is continue to inform the public of the value of a home inspection. Also if they are going to make such a large purchase , don't penny pinch on an inspection.

I just don't think many people realize the value of a home inspection , how it could really benefit them. So I think we have to continue to put the word out , may be continuous blogs on AR will help.

Sep 01, 2009 12:03 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr Jay,

Mrs Kate is not to be trusted. Do not entrust your valuables, or your frog mascot to her. She is like Cruella Deville in 101 Dalmatians -- all good looks and flamboyance but sneaky.

Nutsy

Sep 07, 2009 08:50 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Nutsy, flattery will get you nowhere.

Anyway, you need to learn from my granddaughter who knows the real title. I  watched 101 Dog Nation together with her this weekend. :) You should also learn from Croakster, a real gentleman. Then the coyotes might not gobble you up while you sleep tonight.

Sep 07, 2009 09:15 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

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