A good Home Inspector understands that their work is a direct reflection on the agent which has referred them to the client. So what makes any inspector the “right” inspector? While a lot can go into answering this question, the answer truly is simply. The “right” home inspector is the inspector who always does his best inspection, no matter what the circumstance. It’s not lost on us that the right inspector for your client is also the right inspection for you. Real estate agents and home inspectors who understand and trust one another to serve the client are capable of helping a lot of people.
Then there is the inspection itself. A lot goes into a “good” inspection, but first you must understand what a home inspection entails and realize that a one day, mostly visual inspection, will always have its limitations. The inspector will be evaluating the entire home that day: the lot, the complete exterior, roofing system, the foundation and other visual components, the electrical panel, plumbing, and will go into the attic space. A good inspector will spend up to 4 hours at the home, sometimes more for larger homes, but you must understand that he can only report what he say that day. Essentially, a home inspection is a snapshot of the home for that four hour period. If it wasn’t raining the day of the inspection it may be impossible to see certain issues a heavy rain would reveal. And although the inspection fee should by no means be considered a small amount of money, a full structural inspection by a Physical Engineer would costs several thousand dollars and require some finishes to be removed (drywall, decorative paneling in basements etc.) to expose framing members and the like.
A good inspector is someone who can apply reason to a situation, and isn’t just worried about their own liability. Sure, there will be cases when the inspector recommends further evaluation from a specialist, but the key is WHEN the inspector makes that recommendation. There are often times further evaluation is needed, but there are other times when a hairline crack in block that has existed for there for the last 25 years is not cause for alarm.
Every home will have its own unique issues, and navigating a home and clearly delivering information to both the agent and client is a skill any good inspector must have. An inspector who is good at his job most be both analytical and a good communicator. Which leads to the inspection report itself. Ultimately, this is the tangible record of the job the inspector performed for the client. It is always a key piece to allow many deals to reach final closing, yet it seems many inspectors are just clicking on automated software programs to essentially write their reports for them. A poorly worded inspection report can lead to unnecessary confusion. Failing to add clarifying digital photos is another area many inspectors fall short.
The agent-inspector relationship is a common topic heard around many trade meetings, from both sides of the aisle as they say. But ultimately, if both parties are coming from a place where the client matters most, there are so many opportunities to build strong, lasting and mutually beneficial relationships. At the day of each day, what must matter most, is the long-term satisfaction of the client. This is one thing the agent and inspector should always have in common.
To learn more about author and Green Leaf Inspector, Eric Swiatek, please read our About Us page. If you’d like to contact Eric about networking opportunities please call or text (330) 687-4284 or visit our contact page.
