To Many People?

[Greg Veal]

I always discuss with my Client, during the initial phone visit/scheduling process, that I have a routine for inspecting a home and I work best if I'm left alone, for at least the 1st hour or so. I suggest they give me a good 1-1.5 hr. headstart before showing up to meet me and give me a check. By that time, I usually have something to talk to them about.
I've never had the problems that I have about here. I'd probably "Go Postal" if a crowd like y'all describe showed up.
I've had H/I's with maybe 3 people before, but after introductions, I've excused myself and gone to work, and can honestly say that I have had virtually no problems or only minor interruptions. I guess I've been lucky...

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by alarsen1

What if the agent says, "Hey Dave... I've got to run out for a minute and drives off."

"Always" isn't always always, in my experience.

Always is always in my experience.

Listing agents will never take off. They are on site for the entire inspection, because the Seller is entrusting them with their home.

I will not enter a home without the Listing agent, unless of course the home is a FSBO. Then the Seller is usually present.

[Jae Williams]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Always is always in my experience.

Listing agents will never take off. They are on site for the entire inspection, because the Seller is entrusting them with their home.

I will not enter a home without the Listing agent, unless of course the home is a FSBO. Then the Seller is usually present.

In which case the seller or agent would assume the duties of "gatekeeper" and determine (and be responsible for) who enters.

Like I said--usually there is no Realtor after door is opened and/or no seller present.

There have been occasions when the sellers planned to leave because the buyer's agent told them she did not want the sellers there during the inspection.

The buyer's agent??? How does she determine who does what in someone else's house???

I usually discuss a situation like that with the buyers, the sellers, and anyone else who might have an interest---usually the sellers stick around, but don't get in the way. And everybody's happy.

After all, the sellers may be looking for a good home inspector soon, ya' know.

[Greg Veal]

Your right on the money Jae.

About half the time, R/E Agts. show up at the beginning, and then leave it with me. The Client will show up with a CHECK, and then will normally leave and come back later, after I've had time to get aquainted with the property, or will wait for my call to say the report is ready for delivery,email, fax etc. the next day. ALWAYS THE NEXT DAY, NEVER THE SAME DAY.

I get, in fact I depend on additional work from the out going Sellers. I bet I picked up 50+ additional H/I's in 2006 from my work on the houses being sold. The Seller almost always gets a copy of my report on their house.
My Client (normally the Buyer) typically asked if I will available to speak directly to the Seller if they have any questions concerning the report on their house. I always say YES. It allows me to communicate with another potential Client. The Sellers aren't always happy with me after receiving my report, but usually when we get finished discussing my point of view, and review the CD of pictures together, more times than not, I got myself a new Client. Cost of developing new business just dropped dramatically and I usually will pick up new R/E Agt. contact. too.

My retention and/or growth of Client-R/E Agts. is not as good as my retention & growth of Client-Buyers & Sellers.

I guess I've been pretty proactive with my approach with my Clients, and Lucky too.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by alarsen1

"Okay everyone, let's all gather around for a group picture!"

I guess I neglected to say that I take a lot of group pictures. Quite often I'll put a picture in the report since that then encourages them to keep the report beyond the so-called usefulness of the inspection report as a snapshot in time of the condition of the property. Then, when next they need a home inspector, they're likely to call me. It's all about marketing.

[alarsen1]

Originally Posted by jwilliams4

The buyer's agent??? How does she determine who does what in someone else's house???

No kidding! I've had this too. And even if they don't speak the words, I pick up on the feeling right away that they 'feel' like they aren't allowed to be there when I'm around. I make it very clear to them that I am a guest in their home and more often than not - if they haven't picked out a HI yet - I get a call.

But I don't do it TO get the call... I am sincere when I tell them that this is their home and I am their guest, as this is how I feel.

[alarsen1]

Originally Posted by rray

I guess I neglected to say that I take a lot of group pictures. Quite often I'll put a picture in the report since that then encourages them to keep the report beyond the so-called usefulness of the inspection report as a snapshot in time of the condition of the property. Then, when next they need a home inspector, they're likely to call me. It's all about marketing.

No neglecting necessary! I had a feeling you'd have done that! I do the same thing... pose for pictures with my clients... they love it! I swear... the big-cheesy-grin-shot I took of my client craning his head and neck up to peer in the attic while I was up there (which I put in the report) kept me in his good books when he called a couple monthls later to complain about a hole in the wall that the homeowners intentionally hid. I become "Arne" as opposed to a company called "west coast home inspections ltd"... and they like Arne.

[David Nasser]

It sure does slow down the inspeciton. I feel ya on limiting the people.
You dont need every Tom, Dick and Harry giving false info.

David
Pyramid-Home-Inspections

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by alarsen1

I become "Arne" as opposed to a company called "west coast home inspections ltd"... and they like Arne.

When one get to that point, one knows that the war is won. Congratulations!

[mthomas2]

For those of you who are routinely starting the inspection before the client arrives, how are you dealing with the liability issues involved in starting the inspection before the contract is signed? Or, are you getting it signed earlier?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by mthomas2

For those of you who are routinely starting the inspection before the client arrives, how are you dealing with the liability issues involved in starting the inspection before the contract is signed? Or, are you getting it signed earlier?

I get the agreement signed in advance so the client has a chance to read and understand it as needed.

[alarsen1]

Originally Posted by mthomas2

For those of you who are routinely starting the inspection before the client arrives, how are you dealing with the liability issues involved in starting the inspection before the contract is signed? Or, are you getting it signed earlier?

Part of my info-gathering conversation I have with them includes their email address. I write up the contract after our conversation (saved as a PDF) and email it to them ahead of time. I ask them to read it over, sign it and fax it back to me, or else bring it with them to the inspection - either way they have been given every opportunity to go through the contract as well in advance as possible, which is what the issue is really about.

[Nathan Simpson]

Thank you all for your great replies. It is more then missing something, it is the respect of the sellers home and belongings. Some people have no respect for other people's belongings, be it the house or the coke in the fridge. This has been the 3rd time this month that a buyer has complained about the "inspection" going on in their house during one of our inspections. I just feel that the buyers, who have been warned verbally and through email not to bring a hord of people. The time to do that is during the final walk through, not during the inspection. Someone posted that they use the time to also interact with the seller, as they may choose you to be their inspector. At the rate we are going, we will never earn the seller's respect if we allow these people to bring so many people.
Again, Thank you for your input!

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by mthomas2

For those of you who are routinely starting the inspection before the client arrives, how are you dealing with the liability issues involved in starting the inspection before the contract is signed? Or, are you getting it signed earlier?

I never set foot on someone else's property without a signed contract. It's that signed contract that puts not only my E&O insurance in force, but it also puts my GL, workers' comp, AD&D, and life insurance in force. Especially in this no-licensing-for-home-spectors State of California, I would never do 99.9% of the stuff that I do during the course of my property inspections without having GL, workers' comp, AD&D, and life insurance in force.

If I get to the property early, I'll drive around the neighborhood and look for houses that I might be interested in buying, or telling some of my SDCIA friends who use me for WALK inspections about it, or just looking at some of the landscaping since I love landscaping. I'll also take advantage of the extra time to eat something, work on the computer (many times I'll find a hot spot and can log onto the NACHI site and keep abreast of the latest controversies and bashings), read The Inspector or The Earth Chronicles, or even take a short nap using the alarm on my cell phone.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by lkage

I get the agreement signed in advance so the client has a chance to read and understand it as needed.

I had thought about getting them to sign it in advance, but too far in advance might mean that I just got an alert from our corporate attorneys or my own real estate attorneys that would cause me to change some wording in my contract or alter it in some other way. So while I send the agreement within hours, sometimes minutes, after scheduling the inspection, I have them sign it at the actual time of the inspection unless other arrangements have been made (like they are not going to be there).