No SupraKey, No Referrals

[Russell J. Hensel]

Thanks Greg.......

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Kansas City Realtors have been on the Supra Key for at least 4 years. Most agents don't wanta make it easy on themselves and us - they seem to thrive on being Control Freaks.

I've had RE Agents refuse to give out their CBS codes so I could sit OR pick-up a radon monitor in an empty house. They wanted to meet me and SUPERVISE my entry. Therefore I oblige them as best I can by telling them my ONLY available time is 7:00 AM on Saturday or some other out of the way crap - Just to piss them off. I'm tired of their games.

I recently had an Agent tell me his Broker has told the agents not to EVER give out CBS codes to affiliates like inspectors BUT to be sure and always be present and supervise them - especially never let a buyer be present with a Home Inspector alone and unchaperoned. When I asked why, I was told to keep the inspector from saying something alarming to a buyer.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dbowers

Kansas City Realtors have been on the Supra Key for at least 4 years. Most agents don't wanta make it easy on themselves and us - they seem to thrive on being Control Freaks.

I've had RE Agents refuse to give out their CBS codes so I could sit OR pick-up a radon monitor in an empty house. They wanted to meet me and SUPERVISE my entry. Therefore I oblige them as best I can by telling them my ONLY available time is 7:00 AM on Saturday or some other out of the way crap - Just to piss them off. I'm tired of their games.

I recently had an Agent tell me his Broker has told the agents not to EVER give out CBS codes to affiliates like inspectors BUT to be sure and always be present and supervise them - especially never let a buyer be present with a Home Inspector alone and unchaperoned. When I asked why, I was told to keep the inspector from saying something alarming to a buyer.

Out here it's a liability and insurance concern for the Realtors.

[John McKenna]

Never had one.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by dbowers

I recently had an Agent tell me his Broker has told the agents not to EVER give out CBS codes to affiliates like inspectors BUT to be sure and always be present and supervise them - especially never let a buyer be present with a Home Inspector alone and unchaperoned. When I asked why, I was told to keep the inspector from saying something alarming to a buyer.

In my area, the real estate board requires that a buyer's agent or replacement be on-site for the full inspection as sort of a third party in case something adverse happens such as damage to the property and to stop the buyer/inspector snooping around,poking into personal items, keeping it to the fully professional level. I like it that way and don't mind the agent being on-site!!!

[Joshua D. Lutz]

I lost several inspections before I got my SUPRA key. I think it's just part of the cost of doing business.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jlutz

i lost several inspections before i got my supra key. I think it's just part of the cost of doing business.

exactly----

[Scott A. Hand]

I just got mine. I see no real downside to it. I will now be able to market myself to other agents who don't feel they need to be there with me. I'm ok with that!

I work for the buyer not the agent. And the buyer is who I want to be there. If the realtor would like to tag along that's cool too.

[kpierce]

How do you get a Suprakey?

[Scott A. Hand]

Well I had to join the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors as an affiliate member in order to get one. Also had to up my GL and my E&O insurance coverage to $1 million.

I paid $545 for my membership for the year and $200 for the Suprakey for the year. So if you break that down it only costs me $62/month to be able to have the key. I feel it is a great investment because of the added business I will get from other realtors I can market myself to that would love the opportunity of not having to be present for the inspection. At least the ones I work with so far love the idea. And because I joined the Realtor Association and have the key, that particular office will be using me exclusively which gives me 3 more realtors sending me business. So this will pay for itself in a short amount of time.

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

I had one for years. In fact I still have it but it sits in a desk drawer as I haven't renewed any Association memberships in years either. One of county Associations went out of business (don't know why, don't care) the other treats HI like bastard stepchildren unless you are one of those who run around behind the officers with you head shoved up their ..... Owning one was mostly a hassle, many of the Realtors did not know what a CBS code was or did not know the codes for their boxes. The local Association would sometimes divulge the codes, sometimes they would say it was against the rules, yes, even for members. Other Realtors would not give out their codes and insisted on letting us in. When I weighed the costs, aggrivation factor, pain in the Axx "professionals" and the number of time it didn't matter, I figured it was a waste of my money and time to maintain a relationship that was obviously tenuous at best. I dropped the service when they insisted on changing keys yet again after I had just renewed for the old key after being assured they would not switch. It has not affected the volumn of my business one iota. There are usually two Realtors on either side of any deal and if one of them can't get off their butt, do their job and open up the house for the HI I probably don't need to be anywhere around them. The Realtors I routinely work with almost all have little Assisstants who do all this kind leg work so I stay pretty busy and avoid the hassles. I say, whatever works for you, do that. It just isn't worth it to me. Plus I would have to carry about four of the damn things.

[Mark E. Northrup]

I feel that the key could be a ethics concern. My area does not give them to HI's. but when i worked in the state of illinois I had one. The problem i had was people wanting to come in on my key access. Contractors, clients wanting to stay after the insp. and passer bys that want to check out the house. I will not inspect a house that under age children are home alone with out someone else being there. This is where the realtors comes in handy. Yes it was convient to have access and it was great for reinspects. But it is always better when two people are at the inspection. And always best when the client is there.

[David Sorge]

When you're in demand as an "expert" in your field, customers/referral sources will not care if you have a Supra key.


They will somehow ensure your access to the property so they can provide their clients with the best there is.

[Brian K. Smith]

Never had one, dont want one and never had to have one....also with all the reo's the bank box is the trick! Someday when we get back to having sellers then it mite be worth the coin to own one.

[mnahrgang]

You all realize that if you have one, you almost never see a real estate agent at your inspection.... Just you and your client. (sometimes not even the client.)