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Ethics, Real estate Agents and Liability

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Home Inspector with Certified Inspections, PC - Residential & Commercial Property Inspections TN HI #334

Thank You to those who have responded!

I wish I could say that this is an isolated insident but in this area of TN it is not.  After working in this area for three years now I would say that we are at about the 50 percent mark in the real estate agent tally.  About half think like the respondents and the other half still down play the need for an inspection or work hard to prevent the inspection by telling their clients it would be a waste of their money.

When I first started in this area I would hear this line about three times a week, "My realtor said I don't need a home inspection since I'm buyin a new home and it comes with a one year builders warranty".  This is particularly ironic since we have no code enforcement in this area.  Are we not all supposed to be offering a service to our clients, working in their best interest?  It is the client that spends the money for the home inspection after all and the vast majority of the time they recieve a huge return on that investment. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to comunicate, in a possitive way, the need for a change in attitude in the real estate comunity in this area?  Thank's for your help, Paul 

Comments(2)

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Chuck Christensen
Your Financial Coach - Bellingham, WA
If no one asks for an inspection then their won't be anything wrong to delay the sale of the house and the quicker the commission check....I get the same thing sometimes a realtor will ask me to lie about something to make the loan go through...and I have POed a few...for even suggesting I do that.
Jul 10, 2007 09:26 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Geez.  I think a lot of home inspections are a waste of the buyer's money.  Pay $400 to find out that the buib is out in the porch light. 

But, for a home with an inground basement, older systems, roof, etc., it's essential. 

Any agent or broker that would recommend against one has got to be out of their mind.  I not only recommend them, I pay for them. 

Our home inspectors will have to be licensed Jan. 1, 2007.  Not a problem now because nothing is selling anyway.

Jul 10, 2007 09:30 AM