Black Balled from Real Estate Office

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Wow , this really happens i can not believe there is deal killers out there. I am glad that never happens here. ( we get rose color glasses issued at ever Inspection)
I got 4 phone calls just this week about me killing deals BTW lololol seems to be a trend

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by ldapkus1

Were you really mad Dale?

He still is. You can feel it while reading his post!

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

25 year old 2-story with pool / $400,000

The Report Summary shows:

1) No whirlpool access or GFCI for whirlpool
2) Furnace blower door switch jumpered out / door bent and had to be screwed shut to close
3) Main electrical panel deadfront has about 1" gap to panel (won't mount flush) because drywall never cut back when basement finished out; uses 2" long sheetmetal POINTY screws/ circuits not labeled; double taps
4) Defective GFCI's at pool
5) No GFCI at garage
6) Extension cord wiring 3 places in house on wall surfaces
7) High Radon / 12.2 pCi/l
Pool deck sags at 1 side / pool built on steeply sloped lot and soil has eroded deck supports (4 of the posts OR their footings have 6"-10" of air between the deck and ground)

BUYER did not NEGOTIATE. He walked immediately. Went down street and bought a $275,000 house (with no pool).

Listing Agent, Seller, Buyers Friend (CEO of local engineering company) met me at house when I retreived a tool I left AND informed me how the above defects made the home sound like TOTAL GARBAGE and it KILLED the DEAL. We had a nice chat AS I explained that for the AGE this was basically a SAY NOTHING clean report.

AMAZING what people walk away from AND what sales people feel KILLED their deals. ESPECIALLY in this economy.

[Greg Keene, CPI]

Inspected a house (1896 build) 2 weeks ago. Realtor was the transaction broker and client was a friend of hers. Realtor and husband had rehabed the house 2 years ago and sold it to another friend (w/o an inspection). Now trying to sell it to another friend.

Found a floor to ceiling crack in the living room, a wall to wall crack in the laundry ceiling, and multiple cracks in the ceiling and wall of the kitchen. Structural you say? Checked the crawl space and found 2 piece adjustable jack posts stiting on dirt, monolithic jack posts sitting on 2x12 boards on the dirt, cut beams and joists.

Client asked for a structural review, so I sent my pictures to a structural contractor and explained what I found (I have been a a few jobs with him and know what he looks for). He quoted an estimate of $5-8K for repairs but would give a final price after viewing. Client walked and realtor went ballistic at me, the structual guy and her client/friend.

She would have her husband (a civil engineer) and her contractor (who did the work in the first place) determine repairs. She then checked with the AHJ about my findings and he said, yes those posts are allowed. But she didn't tell him the whole story. Sent me a scathing email about me giving info to buyers without confiming my info. Had to send her the code sections about posts and footers. She checked again with the AHJ and he said yes the inspector is correct about the code and backed up every one of my findings. He also told her that had they gotten a permit on the rehab he would have flagged everything I found. ( I talked to the AHJ later and he told me all of this).

The best part? She asked the AHJ if he would be her inspector in the future and he said "Hell no! No way am I qualified to be a home inspector. Those guys need to know way more than I do. You are lucky you hired him (me) because he just saved you from a massive lawsuit.". Gotta love it.

I am still waiting for her apology.

[Gary Farnsworth]

There are alot of agents out there that could care less about any home inspection report. They all do not realize that a home inspection report can actually keep them from the court room, and home buyer grief later.

The agents, and us, who are all professional, will see business in the future. Those that complain better find another way of life. We all must stand behind our reports.

To all RE agents nationwide: home inspectors do not kill deals; home buyers do. So, complain to them, or to the sellers/owners of the homes who do not get pre-sale inspections or repairs performed.

[John Gromkoski]

I am done worrying about being labeled as a "deal killer". I am NEVER getting those Realtor referrals anyway unless of course it's for one of THEIR family members. Too many times issues have arisen that the client ignored my recommendation that would have put my arse on the line had they not been in the report. I like to sleep at night.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

This is pretty common in Missouri, Dale. I am sure other Missouri inspectors can back me up on this. Sad but true!

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

I am done worrying about being labeled as a "deal killer". I am NEVER getting those Realtor referrals anyway unless of course it's for one of THEIR family members. Too many times issues have arisen that the client ignored my recommendation that would have put my arse on the line had they not been in the report. I like to sleep at night.

I see it the same way.
I even get calls from Realtors wanting me to pay for upgrades to houses that I had inspected, even though I stated to the buyer it needed to be upgraded and wrote it in the report. Realtors are acting like other inspectors just write the check to keep the business. Unbelievable!

[James L. Keilson]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

So this guy is using an INachi logo for marketing (not a INachi member) and someone else's sample report and comes to this message board to complain about ethics.

I was thinking that also.

Jim

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Realtor talked to me today / Unhappy with current inspector - Incompetent ..........

Asked me 3 questons.
1) How long my average inspection takes
2) How long my average report is (under OR over 15 pages)
3) How much is my PACKAGE price for the average home & termite inspection (under or over $285)

Nothing about how long I've done this; my experience; training; education; etc

[Gary Farnsworth]

Dan, that agent never should have asked you those questions. If the "inspector" was incompetent, and he/she is looking for another one, that agent is neither smart, or professional, and is looking for another basic, cheap, "incompetent" inspector. They need to understand that in this business, "you get what you pay for, and pay for what you do not get".

Agents are just not getting it, or trying to run our industry, or both. It is sad, frustrating, and unprofessional of most RE agents here in KC, as to what is going on. They should provide the best services for thier clients. This proves that they are not.

And the agent said her inspector was incompetent. Duh.