I had received an email from a client asking for a recommendation for a home inspector. They asked if I knew any great inspectors. Gina and I were on the way out to lunch so we talked about home inspectors while we dined.
Over the years we have both seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. The weather had turned cold and neither of us wanted to go out to the car so we sat there, mulling over the question of what makes a great home inspector.
After some discussion, we divided home inspectors into three broad categories; Bad Inspectors, Deal Killers, and Great Inspectors.
Bad Inspector
These types of inspectors are not competent or fail to do a thorough inspection. They often cut corners or fail to have the proper training, tools, or experience to do the job. Bad Inspectors are dangerous. You don't want to recommend nor see your clients hire these types. Their failures often results in increased liability to the agent and the brokerage.
Deal Killer
These inspectors are competent. They know how to perform a thorough inspection and have the tools and training to do so. Sadly, Deal Killers are often know-it-alls and go out of their way to find problems that really do not exist. They create fear and doubt.
For example, Texas has a "works / does not work" standard. We had listed a property a few years back and the inspection report showed that the hot water heater should be replaced. When confronted, the inspector admitted it was working fine and showed no sign of any problems. His comment was that water heaters have a life expectancy of 7 years and the one in this house was 7 years old, therefore it should be replaced. We were able to salvage the transaction but it should not have happened at all.
Great Inspector
They are not only highly competent but they have superior people skills. They have the tools, training, and experience to do a complete inspection of the property. They do not cut corners and if it's bad, they find it. Where Great Inspectors shine is in their ability to walk the client through the inspection report and explain it to them. They do not create fear, they create understanding.
Do you know a really great inspector? I know a few...
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Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton. While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure. Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.
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Tom,
I do know Bad Inspectors, Deal Killers and a few good inspectors. I obviously try to use the good ones, but as you know its not really our choice in the end.
I know a handful of great inspectors and they are all listed on the sheet of paper I hand over.
Tom, the bad deal killer inspectors don't usually last long in my area - because once the word's out - and it spreads FAST... agents won't recommend them. Some inspectors have XL egos and nit pick every little thing scaring away buyers from good homes. I really like Rob's idea about having your preferred inspectors on a ready to hand over list. Will do the same for real estate attorneys. Thanks for the great post!
There's nothing worse than a deal killer. I once had an inspector who noted a small orange stain on the tiling in the general proximity below a missing air vent cover. To me it looked more like the seller had put something there, and the colour transferred onto the tile, or perhaps makeup. Even though there was no water source near the vent, he maintained it might have been a water leak that caused that. This same fellow commented that he heard the seller was a crook. I could have strangled him. Instead I called his boss to express my concerns about his behaviour.
Tom:
Great post. I have had the same inspector for the past four years does a great job. May as well give him a plug.
Michael Scher: whoinspects@gmail.com
Tom:
This is a very encouraging post, after I sustained two injuries on a construction site, in 2004 as a licensed electrician, in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. I was forced to undergo two major surgeries, which threatened to end my career. Fascinated with the Real Estate profession, I decided to become a Home Inspector. After careful and thorough research, I found myself on the West Coast, studying at the University of Texas (Arlington) campus. Learning about every aspect of your topic and how never to allow myself to become; "The bad inspector" or the "Deal Killer," that was six years ago.
In 2006, I moved back to Maryland and temporarily put myself back into the electrical construction arena after thoroughly healing in 2007, trying to delay the inevitable early medical retirement. After four years of thinking I had mastered an ability to be full time electrician and part-time home inspector, I was made to realize I hadn't mastered anything at all.
Here I am after surrendering to the inevitable, concluding I can no longer do electrical construction (full-time). I moved to Florida and now re-building, what was once a respected part-time business to a full time real estate assisting service. I have not heard the "Bad Inspector" or "Deal Killer," terms used in a while, but I have not seriously been hearing much about Home Inspectors at all.
Thank you Tom, for reminding and encouraging me that there is a need or demand for the "Great Inspectors," who inspect a house thoroughly, involving his/her customer, but never scares them away while reporting the "Major Deficiencies" of the home, building or property as taught.
David