This is a title that will not endear me to many of my fellow tradesmen, but really, are you tired of stupid home inspectors flushing your deals down the toilet? You know the ones I am talking about. They put on the air of being "God's Gifted" know-all see-all's to the real estate industry but in reality they are either so narrow minded or pin-headed that they can look through a keyhole with both eyes. Or, they are the ones that are really full of themselves and have a ego to feed the size of Texas and have to duck their head when walking through the front door. Which ever one's they are, rest assured they spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for you and your deal.
With our economy being soft, and with so many deals hinging on the inspection contingency, there are a lot of inspectors that needlessly or due to inexperience or ineptness, blow issues so far out of proportion, that they put the "Fear of God" in the poor buyer. I can hear it now. "But the home inspector said...". The end result is that the buyer doesn't walk, but heads for the hills running from the deal as fast as their two legs can cary them. You have lost all this time and money all because of some STUPID home inspector. Most of this can be avoided by hiring only SMART home inspectors.
I have gotten several calls this week from agents asking me questions because their deals are hinging on inspections because their clients used a "cut-rate" inspection company. Most of these clients were "price conscious" and did not want to spend an extra $25 for the inspection. That is a house of a different color which I will address in some other post. However, now I have been put on the spot and become the "go-to" guy to make an attempt to save the deal from going down the toilet. I have gone out to several properties to look at the "so called" offenses. Some were legitimate, most were minutia. Things that really did not amount to a "tinkers" tink, but put the deal in jeopardy because of stupidity.
Far too many inexperienced inspectors get hung up on minutia. 
When I discussed the issue with them "professional" to "professional", many were either to proud to admit they made a mistake or were way to bull-headed and took the "my way or the highway" approach. This poor attitude leaves you, the real estate professional, having to clean up the pile of mess they just left on the floor.
A classic example I have run into this week is GFCI's. The "codes" requirements for these devices were enacted at various times by the NEC (National Electric Codes) and not all municipalities adopted these guidelines the years they were enacted. Houses built prior to 1971, did not require these PERIOD. SMART inspectors know this and will take all these afore mentioned factors into consideration. Yes inspectors, CYA by pointing this out in your report, but then follow up with the caveat, "For your own personal protection...". You cannot expect older properties to be built to and meet today's standards! They were built to the governing standards at the time. So, unless you come from a codes background for your municipality, get over it and get on with life!
Realtors and home buyers alike, you can avoid a lot of grief and get quality inspections and information by hiring SMART inspectors. First of all you need to get SMART yourselves by asking the SMART questions:
Are you a member of ASHI or NAHI. These are the two premier home inspector organizations with ASHI being the oldest.
How long have you been in business? Experience in this business counts.
What is your background? Would you rather have someone from a trade who knows and understands houses or someone who was flipping burgers last week?
How many properties have you inspected? Once again experience counts?
Are you licensed and insured? Some states do not have licensing, but all inspectors should cary E&O.
Do you have references I can contact?
By asking these SMART questions up front, you can avoid a lot of pitfalls and watching your potential income get flushed away. Don't you owe it to your self and your clients to have only SMART inspectors on your team?
Wishing all my fellow drips and tweeps a G-r-r-r-reat day... 8-)
If you or someone you know is purchasing a home in Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville, Spring Hill or Thompson's Station in the Davidson or Williamson county area of Middle Tennessee and would like more information about getting a home inspection, give us a call at 615.661.0297. You can visit us online at www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com - Check out our monthly newletter
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