What do Real Estate Professionals look for in a Inspector?

Be thorough, concise and explain what is major and may need further investigation by a licensed contractor and what is minor. Also, take pictures, especially of the major defects.

As I attend the inspection with the buyer (if the buyer is in town), I try to keep everyone out of the inspector's way, until the end. You need to go over the inspection results with the buyer, since they are YOUR client, NOT the agent. It is my job to then sit down with the buyer, go through the report and determine what items are the most important to have the seller correct. This is where it helps to have the major and minor items noted.

Do these things and I'm sure you will be successful.

Wait until the first time you do a house in less than two hours.

Several years ago, mine was a little 1100 sf on a slab with no garage.  When I llooked at the time, I spent another 30 minutes or so looking for what I missed because I couldn't believe I had covered everything.  But I had.  Still happens occassionally.

Your time will speed up as you gain experience.  Just keep doing what you think is best for you, i.e, do your best for your client.  It pays big dividends down the road.

 What software did you go with.  I finally settled on HomeGauge.com .  Wish I would have done so first but it took a few years of playing with others.

First thing that seperates you is that you like what you are doing. That is a plus to making a good inspector.

Second, you are asking the right questions.

Third, ALWAYS do the right thing.

Other advice.

Don't estimate the repairs.... EVER.  Leave that to the contractor.

In my introduction conversations I mention that most houses are not perfect as they have been lived in and require maintenance to keep them running as intended.  I just describe material/type/condition of each item.

and then

1. Describe the concern/issue/defect
2. Inform why it is a concern/issue/defect
3. Give a "call to action" statement to correct/evaluate further/etc.

And do it all by a standard of practice of whatever organization you belong to. 

When you put out a product that is consistent EVERYTIME then the word of mouth will get around and so with the referrals from clients.

Also be prepared to sell yourself and your knowledge at events and gatherings.  Create some slideshows that educate the audience in your area.  For example I have created a slide show on Thermal Imaging as it is new and the agents need to understand basically what it is.

Hope this helps.

I love to relate things in my life as it tends to give them more meaning. When my wife was pregnant with our first child, we went in to get the first sonargram. Well the doctor told us the technician would do the initial sonargram and he would be in to review it and do more if needed. Well the technician had just started and you see something on the screen then he blurts oh, "Uh Oh, um excuse me I'll be right back". My god my wife and I were scared to death. What was wrong, was our child in danger and so on. After what seemed like an eternity the technician returned sat down and and proceeded with the sonargram. I'm still flipping out and ask what the "Uh Oh" was for. He said,"Oh, I forgot my pen". Needless to say he soon left the room again in fear of his life.

It is not only important what you report, but also how you report, how you behave and how you react.  

Ya gotta get a sample report on your website that really reflects who you are, not who Inspection Express is.

That's so obviously a canned sample report with canned commentary from the software vendor that it really doesn't speak to who you are and how you report.

And, if you're NACHI, why is your sample report so full of ASHI.  Kinda doublespeaking there.

Take one of the reports you've written using your new software, change the names, addresses, dates, main picture etc and then put it up as your sample.  You'll be better off for it and the customers will get a much better feeling of you.

Good luck.  Patience and perserverance pay off.  Keep plugging along.

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