Helpful Tips to Avoid the Home Inspector "Deal Killer".

By
Home Inspector with Ace Home Inspection, LLC

Hello to all,

I would like to share some information with my favorite people....Realtors! I can say that without being struck down because I am engaged to one, LOL. The reputation that Home Inspectors have throughout the real estate community is one of being a "Deal Killer" or a "Schmuck-in-a-Truck", and some of that criticism is probably well earned. Once a Realtor has found an Inspector who doesn't scare the bee-Jesus out of their clients with his/her flowery expletives concerning the age of the roof or the tangled mess in the electrical service panel, they want to hold on to him/her for life! I don't blame them one bit. The Realtor has worked very hard to get that client to the point where a Home Inspector is called in. It is just shameful and unnecessary for an Inspector to blow a deal by overreacting to a defect(s) in a home.

If you are a Realtor shopping for an Inspector here are a few tips:

  • Interview your prospective Inspector. If an Inspector can't or won't give you the time to answer some simple questions, he/she isn't really interested in doing a quality service for you or your client. Heck, you may even get a free lunch out of it!
  • Be blunt and ask about how they present defects to their clients. If an Inspector replies that their policy is to provide their client with "just the facts" and does not come right out and say they try to present defects in a non-alarming way, look elsewhere.
  • If your Inspector knows the term "Deal Killer" this should clue you in that he/she is aware of the stigma and more than likely avoids saying things to alarm the client.
  • Most Inspectors value their relationships with Realtors, lets face it, Realtors are the single largest generating force for client referrals in the Home Inspection business. Your Inspector should be ensuring that not only is the client satisfied but the Realtor as well. If your Inspector is just "doing his/her job", that's just not enough.... especially in today's market. Shop for someone who takes care of YOU.

I hope these tips help you along in closing your next deal.

Hoping everything you touch turns to $old!

Howard Tennyson, Home Inspector
Ace Home Inspection, LLC
BBB Accredited Business
Office Phone: (478) 954-9791
acehomeinspectionllc@gmail.com
www.acehomeinspection.biz

Comments (8)

Patricia Fisher
Keller Williams Realty - Spartanburg, SC

Welcome to the Active Rain Community!  This is a great site to network, learn, and share ideas with others.  Have a great day!

Aug 29, 2008 09:59 AM
Howard Tennyson
Ace Home Inspection, LLC - Warner Robins, GA

Thank you Patricia.

I have been "surfing" around the site a bit and really like what I'm seeing. There is a lot of great info!

Have a great holiday weekend.

HT

Aug 29, 2008 10:06 AM
Greg Steffens
Mountain Country Realty - Lake Arrowhead, CA

Howard - Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post.  Be sure to spend some time looking around at what and how others are blogging here.  It is a great education and lots of fun.  Looks like you're off to a great start...keep it up!

Aug 29, 2008 10:31 AM
Kevin Wood,
Keller Williams Southern Arizona - Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ Realtor

Howard,

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I wish you the best of luck with your future blogging. This is an awesome place to learn and grow.

Aug 29, 2008 11:26 AM
Benjamin Clark
Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT
Buyer's Agent - Certified Negotiation Expert

Welcome to Active Rain! For some tips on how to get started here, check out my blog entry at ActiveRain Fast-Start Tips for Quick and Easy Points
Happy blogging and good luck!

Aug 29, 2008 04:57 PM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Hi and welcome to active|rain. There are thousands of tips, tools, and tricks of the trade here. Be sure to check them out. Best of luck and see you around.

Aug 29, 2008 05:47 PM
The Trumm Team Omaha Homes for Sale, Real Estate
Keller Williams Greater Omaha - Omaha, NE

Welcome to ActiveRain!

If you would like a few tips on getting the most out of ActiveRain, please visit my blog Welcome to Active Rain.  It has a few simple steps of what to do now that you have joined.

If you ever have any questions, just let me know.

Troy Trumm

Aug 30, 2008 12:26 AM