Hi,
A good home inspector has to walk a fine line when doing a home inspection. If your too critical, the Realtor has to work harder to sell the home, too general, and the buyer might not realize the severity of a problem.
Then there's the liability issue. If a Realtor recommends a home inspector who doesn't perform a proper inspection, and a defect is found later, law suits will follow. That's the main reason Realtors and Firms have policies regarding the recommending of inspectors.
I think there is a balanced way the home inspector and realtor can work together.
My approach to an inspection is any defect can be fixed! I've been in the residential building trades for 30 years and know how to go about repairing items and their approximate cost. When a defect is found, this knowledge takes the shock out of hearing there may be a problem. Most defects I have found are common and I can say "I've seen this before and this is how you fix it." This simple statement goes a long way to easing the clients fears and gives the realtor something to work with.
For Realtors, I use a "Hold Harmless" clause in my Contract to allieviate the realtors responsibility. While we all know that contracts are challanged all the time, I also explain this clause to the clients at the begining of the inspection to distance myself from the realtor and gain the clients trust. Now we are all working together.
10. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT: CLIENT agrees to hold any and all real estate agents involved in the purchase of the property to be inspected harmless and keep them exonerated from all loss, damage, liability or expense occasioned or claimed by reasons of acts or neglects of the INSPECTOR or his employees, or visitors, or of independent contractors engaged or paid by INSPECTOR for the purpose of inspecting the subject home.
Another way realtors can distance themselves from the inspector is to have a list of inspectors they believe to have done a good job. That way it's the client who picks the inspector, and the realtor doesn't have to worry about going an extra mile to close the deal.
So Realtors, get to know a Home Inspector. It could be the start of a great relationship!
Rick Capps
Bendix Home Inspection, Inc
37315 Bendix
Wayne, Mi. 48184
Cell: 734-377-5616
Fax: 734-578-0440
rick@bendixinspect.com
http://www.bendixinspect.com
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