Walking a fine line....client/Realtor

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Very good conclusion, and I agree whole heartedly with your comments.

Marcel

[Vince Santos]

Originally Posted by Sprinklerguy

While speaking with my broker friend today I noticed something and I would like some opinions.

I was asking him if he would send me all his inspections if I got certified etc....and of course he said yes...100+ per year between him and his team. Anyway, that is another post

He was mentioning some of the things that made him stop using past HI's...one of the things he mentioned was that an HI killed a sale for him. Was an older home from 1898 and had outdated wiring. Apparently the HI told the client...buyer....that the wiring all needed to be replaced as it was dangerous and someone would likely be hurt. At that point I realized what a fine line HI's walk. You are hired by the client (buyer) on the recommendation of your contact (realtor) and you have to make them both happy.

How do you tell the truth, but not make the realtor mad? If it is a situation that the client(buyer) should know about and it kills the sale....perhaps the contact (realtor) will not send you any more inspections?

OR....PLEASE READ THIS FIRST BEFORE RESPONDING....

Is it the way you word your report and speak with the client (buyer) that will prevent this situation?

Thanks in advance.

If you need to worry about making the realtor mad because you tell the truth, you may want to consider not using realtors. Or at least not using realtors who get mad because you serve the best interest of the client.

I asked myself that same question about a year into the business and I came up with, you can't serve two masters. I got rid of the realtors.

[ekartal5]

It's great to hear from an inspector that shunned agent referrals from day one and has done very well without them. Good for you Vince.

[Vince Santos]

Let me be the first to say that I did meet two realtors that actually appreciated my inspection. I didn't know them, and certainly don't market to any of them, but it did give me a different outlook on realtors overall. For a while I thought they were probably all the same, wanting an inspection that does not point out the little things like a loose outlet cover etc. I don't think I will ever agree with the HI/Realtor relationship but I do think there are some realtors out there who do care about their client, even if they are far and few in between.


Having said that, I believe there are some inspectors who really consider their clients best interest only, butI don’t think the ones who market to and work for a wide range of realtors can possibly hold fast to that basic work ethic without constantly ticking off the agents.

Also, I understand that I am not the one who has to put bread on your table so don’t think that I am calling you wrong for doing what you feel you need to do.
A Real Estate agent was on Good Morning America yesterday and had this to say.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1763785

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by vsantos

For a while I thought they were probably all the same, wanting an inspection that does not point out the little things like a loose outlet cover etc.

Once you educate them:

Loose outlet covers. Loose outlets can result in loose wire connections, arcing, fires, and personal injury and property damage. Recommend having all outlet covers tightened before or at close of escrow, and regular homeowner monitoring and maintenance thereafter.

When put in proper perspective, it's not so little anymore.

You'd be surprised at the number of Realtors who read my report for the first time and then call or email me thanking me for the education and telling me that they went home and checked all their outlet covers, removed chemicals from the sink cabinets, got rid of the extension cords into extension cords into extension cords, etc. It's those "little things" that can make a big difference in one's success, and that's why I ignore the #1 agents and hit the newbie Realtors.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by vsantos

I don’t think the ones who market to and work for a wide range of realtors can possibly hold fast to that basic work ethic without constantly ticking off the agents.

If one ignores the top agents, who already have their system in place, a system that they've been working for many years, perhaps decades, and targets the new agents, once can certainly hold fast to that basic work ethic without constantly ticking off the agents. It is done very easily through education and by being helpful. If you take an attitude with the Realtor ("The report is for my Client and my Client only; get a copy from him or go bite the big one."), yeah, you'll tick of agents real quickly.

I like to play in the same sandbox with a great variety of people, and, exclusing the #1 agents, I've found that it really is not difficult to do.