No SupraKey, No Referrals

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dvalley

No listing reference, it's just common sense. If there's no access for the potential Buyer (who just placed a deposit on the house), no commission.

Pretty simple if you ask me. We live a pretty simple life here in Massachusetts.

You life a pretty simple life in ultra liberal "Taxachusetts"? That's funny.

Common sense out here is that the Buyer's agent takes care of the Buyers. I might have one listing agent or Seller at every hundred inspections, and that might even be high.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by rray

You life a pretty simple life in ultra liberal "Taxachusetts"? That's funny.

Common sense out here is that the Buyer's agent takes care of the Buyers. I might have one listing agent or Seller at every hundred inspections, and that might even be high.

Ya Russ,

You're life in California is so much better than mine here in Massachusetts.

Shall I bow to you now or shall I wait for the right moment?

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Ya Russ,

You're life in California is so much better than mine here in Massachusetts.

Shall I bow to you now or shall I wait for the right moment?

Getting a little defensive? What's the problem?

I'm back to ActiveRain. It's just never fun over here anymore. Ciao!

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by rray

Getting a little defensive? What's the problem?

I'm back to ActiveRain. It's just never fun over here anymore. Ciao!

How can it be any fun here when you definitely lack a sense of humor.

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by rray

You life a pretty simple life in ultra liberal "Taxachusetts"? That's funny.

Common sense out here is that the Buyer's agent takes care of the Buyers. I might have one listing agent or Seller at every hundred inspections, and that might even be high.

I have never had a listing or seller at a inspection yet here in St. Louis. Always the buyer and the buyers agent. The buyers agent is the one always asking me if I have a Supra Key. We are allowed to carry here and without IMO realtor referals will soon disappear.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bboerner

I have never had a listing or seller at a inspection yet here in St. Louis. Always the buyer and the buyers agent. The buyers agent is the one always asking me if I have a Supra Key. We are allowed to carry here and without IMO realtor referals will soon disappear.

That's exactly why our inspection standards vary from state to state.

I have never performed a home inspection without the listing agent being present 100% of the time.

[David A. Selman]

Very interesting. I have been struggling with the decision as to whether or not I should get a Supra Key for my North Texas service area.

The agents that are referring me have not minded that I dont have one. However, I sent out a newsletter email today to a lot of new potential real estate agents and I was asked by one if I had a supra key. I told her no and that normally the buyer likes to see they face of their agent for a level of comfort. She replied back and said that if I get a supra key, she would be inclined to use my company.

What ever shall I do?

Thanks,
David Selman
Selman Home Inspections

[Scott A. Hand]

Originally Posted by dselman

Very interesting. I have been struggling with the decision as to whether or not I should get a Supra Key for my North Texas service area.

The agents that are referring me have not minded that I dont have one. However, I sent out a newsletter email today to a lot of new potential real estate agents and I was asked by one if I had a supra key. I told her no and that normally the buyer likes to see they face of their agent for a level of comfort. She replied back and said that if I get a supra key, she would be inclined to use my company.

What ever shall I do?

Thanks,
David Selman
Selman Home Inspections

Get one!

Before I had one there was several occasions where the agent was running late and we couldn't get inside. I inspect the exterior first of course but that is not the point. I don't like to rely on other people when it comes to my business. I rely on myself! I schedule the inspection! I tell the client what time works for me or they let me know what works for them. If I have a SupraKey there will be no issues!

I schedule inspections starting at 8am. That's early for some people and just because I'm an early bird I can't expect a referring agent to be one as well. Having a key allows me in without them. They can show up later if they want to but they know they don't have to and I think they like that. And if that means they will throw more business my way because of that then GREAT!

Small price to pay for the convenience it provides. Clients who call me direct like that too. I use it as a selling point. It's just one less phone call that has to be made and one less hassle to deal with, from the clients point of view, during an already stressful time for them.

I also can never lock myself out of the house having left my flashlight sitting somewhere. If I do, I can open it back up.

I recently replaced a garage door panel that was damaged while testing the pressure reverse. If I had not had a key, I would not only have had to call my clients agent to meet me back at the house the next day but quite possibly the listing agent or seller, if my clients agent couldn't come out, to try to work out a time that I could have a contractor replace it. Having the key allowed me to call the listing agent and the seller to let them know I was going back to the house to replace the panel, and I didn't inconvenience one single person! That means a lot in a situation like that. To me, if it never had before, it paid for itself right then and there. I don't like to inconvenience people! And everything worked out great!

Not to mention it makes you appear even more professional than you already are. I really see no down side!

[bdoles2]

Originally Posted by dselman

What ever shall I do?

By not getting one, you're making the agents do what they are paid to do. Do you expect someone else (an agent) to hold your tools, ladder, etc... during the inspection?

Personally I feel it's unprofessional for an agent to "expect" inspectors to gain access to their listings.

If they want the sale, I expect a seasoned/professional agent to attend the inspection. Those agents that expect us to gain access, are the ones that will be a PITA. Mainly because they weren't present and missed out on vital information they need to know to help their clients make the best decision on their investment.

JMO

[David A. Selman]

nwagner,

I have only been an inspector for about five months. I do not have a supra key. It is expensive to join a realtor association and pay the supra fees. There are so many realtor association in my area, I have not decided which one to join.

The one Realtor who has been using me, does not mind meeting me and the buyer at the home for the inspection. I have asked her about the importance of getting a supra key. Her opinion is, dont waste your money. Good agents should always be willing and able to meet with you and the client on site.

I was however told by another realtor that if I got a supra key, she would be more inclined to use me. She was also trying to get me to join Arlington/Grand Prairie Realtors Association required to gain access to their supra key system.

I dont yet have an opinion as to whether it brings up any ethics problems, but, unless I pay to join and pay for the supra lease, I may be missing out. But, as a new inspector, between insurance and all other overhead, I am paid out!

Looking for answers....

David Selman
Selman Home Inspections