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Answers (14)
- Joe Nernberg, "Home Inspection Pro"
- Contributions:97
Many great answers. Here is my criteria for finding out-of-area home inspectors for family, friends and Realtors:
1. Ask for a sample report. Look for real observations and suggestions - not just disclaimers. I prefer a narrative report, not a generic checklist with illegible notes.
2. Look for certifications, experience and insurance (then verify it). There is a home inspector near me that says he is CREIA/ASHI certified (he's not), a licensed contractor (never been) and insured (a national inspector conference revealed that 50% of home inspectors have no insurance).
Realtors risk negligent referral litigation if they do not verify home inspector qualifications. NEVER use the Realtor's preferred home inspector IF the Realtor is already dishonest is some regards. There are listing agents in my neighborhood that will try to push selling agents to select a home inspector that will sugar-coast results.
marinchik,
if they are only giving you one then be wary. search for a couple more that you can either find referrals on and make a decision. there's obviously the chance that your agent is honest and only works with that inspector (beacause they are the best), but... you never know, if you are uncomfortable you need to find inspectors to compare and see who is your best fit.
if they are only giving you one then be wary. search for a couple more that you can either find referrals on and make a decision. there's obviously the chance that your agent is honest and only works with that inspector (beacause they are the best), but... you never know, if you are uncomfortable you need to find inspectors to compare and see who is your best fit.
- marinchik
- Contributions:5
To Chutta: I asked the question because my agent didn't give me the list of inspectors, he just insists on me hiring this particular one, saying that he always recommends him for all his clients.
That made me uncomfortable.
Any thoughts?
That made me uncomfortable.
Any thoughts?
Klarek,
I think you are right its a "sort of", because I agree (with you) that if they give you the "preferred" inspector be wary, but I echo the other Agents setiment who have said that is in the Buyer's Agent's best interest to have the best and most qualified inspector do the inspection then the other way around.
I always give a list, because I don't want to steer you to an inspector, because if that inspector does screw up and miss something I don't want that to be my recommendation.
Like I said before I would rather find the problems with the property, and I think most Agents would agree, because even if house "A" is a dud, the buyer will probably just move onto the next house. No loss for the Agent, but potentially a lot of brownie points earned for helping the buyer from buying a dud.
I think you are right its a "sort of", because I agree (with you) that if they give you the "preferred" inspector be wary, but I echo the other Agents setiment who have said that is in the Buyer's Agent's best interest to have the best and most qualified inspector do the inspection then the other way around.
I always give a list, because I don't want to steer you to an inspector, because if that inspector does screw up and miss something I don't want that to be my recommendation.
Like I said before I would rather find the problems with the property, and I think most Agents would agree, because even if house "A" is a dud, the buyer will probably just move onto the next house. No loss for the Agent, but potentially a lot of brownie points earned for helping the buyer from buying a dud.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
Agents often refer inspectors for various reasons. Some are good, some are not. Ask about the qualifications for yourself and make sure you go to the inspection when the inspector is there. Pick his/her brain. You can learn a lot about the house and potential problems if there are any this way firsthand. You can also see what your gut has to say about the quality of the inspection your are really getting.
- klarek the realist
- Contributions:7044
To echo mark and chutta (sort of), I'd go with "no". In the case that your agent simply wants the deal to go through no matter what, protect yourself. At the same time, if I were an agent, I wouldn't want to be blamed for a crappy inspector. Ask for a list. If they have a *preferred* inspector, be wary.
- Julie Olsen, "Park City Realtor"
- Contributions:15
As a Buyers agent, I want my buyer clients to be happy with their decision. I like to recommend an inspector that I find has the best qualifications to uncover any potential problems. he will have special equipment to help assist him. I would rather them find a big problem now then later. If they find major problems then they can cancel and find another home. The most important thing as a buyers agent for me is to look out for my clients which comes well before making a commission check. If I look out for them the money will come because I did the right thing for my client first.
- Stephanie & Larry Watson, "SimiRealEstate"
- Contributions:70
If you trust your Agent as you should, then why not use their recommended inspectors. A real estate agent is in the business to provide you with the best possible service. I have a list which includes licensed contractors who charge a lot of money, to certified inspectors who charge about half. Your agent should have a complete network of individuals they trust to do quality work. NOBODY has a VESTED interest in closing a property without disclosure. If you know a professional who provides home inspections and you trust them, then you him/her. If you don't trust your agent then your in trouble!
In my eyes there is no conflict of interest if your Agent gives you a list of Inspectors. I find it pretty amazing the sort of weight some people put on certain relationships. As well as motivations. Honestly I really don't care who does the Home Inspection, they find what they find. I would rather a Home Inspector find problems during the due diligence so if the Client decides to move forward with the purchase they are doing it with their eyes open.
It doesn't help anybody in the process if we have Home Inspectors not finding any problems when there is in fact problems. Maybe if I represented the Seller, then there would be a conflict, but if I represent the Buyer and they end up pulling out, the odds are that we will just go and offer on another home that they like and we will continue on, plus there is that added bit of trust built if I refere a Home Inspector who does their job, right, and finds problems that we might have missed.
- Chris A. Lewis
- Contributions:208
If you trust your real estate agent than yes. I recommend inspectors to my clients because I have my clients best interest at heart. I also want a inspector that will do a quality job because it also covers me because I know that the inspector I am using is doing a quality job.
- Mark75NYC
- Contributions:1316
No.
Never use a recommendation for an inspector given to you by a real estate agent; the same goes for selecting an attorney. The agent has an unavoidable conflict of interest: they get paid when the deal goes through. They have a vested interest in an inspector not finding any problems. Therefore, their favorite inspectors are usually ones who don't find many problems, whether they exist or not.
Best bet is to ask around, talk to your friends, family, co-workers, and others to see if anyone has any recommendations. Or if there is a community website devoted to your town, you can ask for recommedations there. Get a few recs for different inspectors, from people who have no interest in the transaction (although, beware sometimes people providing "recommendations" online are really the inspectors themselves! this is the same with many services like plumbers etc. so just be aware).
Ask prospective inspectors for a sample copy of their reports from past work, so you can see what the end-product should look like. You should be able to make a choice at that point.
You might also check with your attorney (whom you should have selected on your own, again not through your agent) to see if they have any recs for inspectors, although sometimes they are reluctant to get involved with rec'ing anyone b/c, well, they're lawyers and they don't want to give you the impression that they endorse anyone in particular.
Never use a recommendation for an inspector given to you by a real estate agent; the same goes for selecting an attorney. The agent has an unavoidable conflict of interest: they get paid when the deal goes through. They have a vested interest in an inspector not finding any problems. Therefore, their favorite inspectors are usually ones who don't find many problems, whether they exist or not.
Best bet is to ask around, talk to your friends, family, co-workers, and others to see if anyone has any recommendations. Or if there is a community website devoted to your town, you can ask for recommedations there. Get a few recs for different inspectors, from people who have no interest in the transaction (although, beware sometimes people providing "recommendations" online are really the inspectors themselves! this is the same with many services like plumbers etc. so just be aware).
Ask prospective inspectors for a sample copy of their reports from past work, so you can see what the end-product should look like. You should be able to make a choice at that point.
You might also check with your attorney (whom you should have selected on your own, again not through your agent) to see if they have any recs for inspectors, although sometimes they are reluctant to get involved with rec'ing anyone b/c, well, they're lawyers and they don't want to give you the impression that they endorse anyone in particular.
I usually recommend 3 home inspectors all of whom I've had good experiences with, but I encourage my clients to find their own if they are not comfortable with my suggestions.
- Elizabeth Weintraub, "elizabeth_weintraub"
- Contributions:3650
I recommend only pro home inspectors to my clients. I give them a list, suggest they call each, interview them and choose the inspector they feel most comfortable with.
Part of the biggest problem in home inspections are buyers who hire the cheapest home inspectors or inexperienced home inspectors. For example, a buyer (not mine) backed out of a transaction last week because the home inspector told them the home had been flooded -- as evidenced by a line around the perimeter of the room. That "line" was not painted and exposed because the seller had removed taller baseboards and replaced them with lower baseboards.
Most of the agents I know recommend superior home inspectors -- not only to protect their clients' interests, which is first and foremost, but also to prevent a buyer coming back after an escrow closes to complain that an item was not disclosed.
Part of the biggest problem in home inspections are buyers who hire the cheapest home inspectors or inexperienced home inspectors. For example, a buyer (not mine) backed out of a transaction last week because the home inspector told them the home had been flooded -- as evidenced by a line around the perimeter of the room. That "line" was not painted and exposed because the seller had removed taller baseboards and replaced them with lower baseboards.
Most of the agents I know recommend superior home inspectors -- not only to protect their clients' interests, which is first and foremost, but also to prevent a buyer coming back after an escrow closes to complain that an item was not disclosed.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26842
It is worth while investigating several inspectors, including the one recommended by your agent. In my experience, the recommendations of my agent have been among the top tier of inspectors, but I don't know your area.
Should I use the Home Inspector that was recommended by my Real estate agent?
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