Porter Valley Software (InspectVue) has been sold.

[James H. Bushart]

Not that I have ever stirred up controversy before...but...

Those who have marketed, through fear, software packages that use the written word as a means to offset the propensity for litigation were operating on borrowed time, IMO.

Fear is a short term motivator.

From what we have seen on this message board, very few home inspectors are sued and those that we have seen that are frivolous, have resulted from the "shotgun" approach where the litigant simply files suit against everyone associated with the sale (no matter how many dozens of pages of disclaimers preceded the first documented observation from the inspection).

Insurers keep the "real numbers" under lock and key, careful to never let the cat out of the bag as to what the real stats are....while this particular manufacturer of "the magic cure" and one other vendor touted that between 30% and ALL home inspectors would someday be sued.

Truth, while not the most popular of marketing tools, seems to always find its way to the finish line.

The lesson, as I see it, is it's more of the quality of your report than the quality of the software, that matters most.

[jlerch]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Not that I have ever stirred up controversy before...but...

Those who have marketed, through fear, software packages that use the written word as a means to offset the propensity for litigation were operating on borrowed time, IMO.

Fear is a short term motivator.

From what we have seen on this message board, very few home inspectors are sued and those that we have seen that are frivolous, have resulted from the "shotgun" approach where the litigant simply files suit against everyone associated with the sale (no matter how many dozens of pages of disclaimers preceded the first documented observation from the inspection).

Insurers keep the "real numbers" under lock and key, careful to never let the cat out of the bag as to what the real stats are....while this particular manufacturer of "the magic cure" and one other vendor touted that between 30% and ALL home inspectors would someday be sued.

Truth, while not the most popular of marketing tools, seems to always find its way to the finish line.

The lesson, as I see it, is it's more of the quality of your report than the quality of the software, that matters most.

MY GOSH--I actually agree with Jim.

[George P. Wells, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Not that I have ever stirred up controversy before...but...

Those who have marketed, through fear, software packages that use the written word as a means to offset the propensity for litigation were operating on borrowed time, IMO.

Fear is a short term motivator.

How true! Lawyers and some inspection software publishers are in the business of selling fear. The lawyers earn their livelihood from conflict. Some inspection software publishers gladly go along with the lawyers so they can sell their puffed-up pre-written “I am not responsible for anything – find somebody else” narratives.

Sadly, many home inspectors and other small business owners and operators make fear-driven decisions then wonder why they didn't survive.

[Nick Gromicko]

And most inspector's attorneys suffer from a conflict of interest in that they financially benefit from keeping a legal skirmish going on and on. I've been able to use this fact to keep the other side of a lawsuit spending, as per advice from their own legal counsel, until his/her client is nearly broke.

[jlerch]

Originally Posted by gromicko

And most inspector's attorneys suffer from a conflict of interest in that they financially benefit from keeping a legal skirmish going on and on. I've been able to use this fact to keep the other side of a lawsuit spending, as per advice from their own legal counsel, until his/her client is nearly broke.

Unfortunately, all attorneys benefit from the length of every legal skirmish. Maybe piece work would be a better idea

[George P. Wells, CMI]

Originally Posted by jlerch

Unfortunately, all attorneys benefit from the length of every legal skirmish. Maybe piece work would be a better idea

If lawyers were required to work efficiently, to be paid on piece-work, maybe the whole legal trade would get back on track. Most of us are rewarded for efficiency in our work. Lawyers are rewarded for inefficiency.

My contempt for most lawyers is no secret. It wasn't until I started working closely with lawyers on fire and building failure jobs that I developed so much contempt. It was not only the opposing lawyers that caused me to feel as I do. It was who were on the same side I was on that opened my eyes to the true nature of the occupation.

The lawyers are not working for the victims, they are not working for the insurance companies, they are working for their own benefit. Lies and corruption are so much a part of the legal trade in the US that I will never be able to sit on a jury because I cannot believe anything I hear coming from the mouths of either prosecutors or defense lawyers.

I am amazed too at how many "experts" are willing to sell whatever opinion a lawyer wants to buy. The so-called experts and lawyers alike are interested in money, not in justice.

They do not care about right and wrong. They do not care about justice. They do not care whom they harm. It is all about the all-mighty dollar. Lawyers are in the business of selling fear. The more fear they can generate, the more dollars they can generate.

[jlerch]

I will never be able to sit on a jury because I cannot believe anything I hear coming from the mouths of either prosecutors or defense lawyers.


I sat on a jury where justice did prevail. A civil case where a doctor didn't give his best effort. We listened to two weeks and then it was settled just before we went to deliberation. I say justice prevailed because the plaintiffs must have been satisfied with the settlement as it was clear to everyone that the punitive damage would have been astronomical. The money spent on the legal folks ,the research and expert testimony must have staggering!

[George P. Wells, CMI]

Originally Posted by jlerch

I will never be able to sit on a jury because I cannot believe anything I hear coming from the mouths of either prosecutors or defense lawyers.


I sat on a jury where justice did prevail

When justice does prevail it is probably because of the jury, not the lawyers.

Check this out: http://legallad.quickanddirtytips.co...ification.aspx

[Jeff Knight]

I also heard that all current InspectVue users will now be doing environmental and mold inspections now...according to ESP.

http://tv.wallst.net/r/3-minute-pres...s-evsp/169/748

Jeff

[jlerch]

Absolutley true Jeff.
I've had three scheduled for this week and two for next week with no marketing effort on my part. So far I've be able to schedule between my morning and afternoon appointments on the days I work. It helps the bottom line without much effort.

[Jeff Knight]

I am just concerned about the inspector's liabilities...but if they feel comfortable doing them then it is great news for them.

[jlerch]

Thanks for your concern. The "Razz" icon through me off a little. I looked around and I think I found where you have a reporting software.
So lets see, you're a non-member, a vendor of software, "razzing" the users of software that has recently been sold.
Somehow I missed putting you on my ignore list, you are less than helpful and I have added you to my ignore list.
GREAT MARKETING PLAN

[Jeff Knight]

John,
Not sure how me commenting on a concern that EVSP is assuming all the users of InspectVue are going to start doing mold inspections has to do with us marketing. I was not attempting to do ANY marketing but was just relaying my OPINION on home inspectors should be careful on starting to do mold inspection without doing their homework on the liability issues. I know from talking to home inspectors over the last 10 years that it can be a slippery slope. Maybe EVSP is taking the liability issue off the table and they are completely covering it..that would be a huge step forward I would think.

Sorry John that you took it the wrong way and I have known Lorne and Keith for almost 10 years and I am very happy for their success and it was not a dig at all on the software or them. Us software vendors actually have a lot of respect for each other and usually do not throw shots at each other at all and we actually spend quite a bit of time together socially at inspection shows....it seems like certain software users of software do enough throwing shots at other software users which I do not condone.

Peace to all.

Jeff Knight
Knights Software

[Russell Spriggs]

Originally Posted by jlerch

MY GOSH--I actually agree with Jim.

Gives ya warm fuzzies when that happens, don't it?


Agreed - and I'd add, the inspector (attitude, ability to communicate effectively, etc ) are hugely important.
No software can instill those "face-to-face" qualities.