Don’t waste my time on your silly little inspection
The home inspections that my clients get before buying take two or three hours. At a recent home inspection, the listing agent started to get antsy after about an hour. He was downright whiny by the time we got to hour number two. He was sarcastic by the end. The inspection that my client did went well, with a very quick and simple negotiation afterward.
This very same agent, that very same day called the very same home inspector. I got this email from the home inspector:
After yesterday, *** from *** Realty never wants to see me again! I get a call in the PM - it is ***** and he is asking for a quote on a condo inspection. However he doesn't realize it is me he is talking to. So we cut a deal and I end by saying thank you for your help today - he finally realizes who he is talking to.15 minutes letter he calls back - I know he is calling to cancel the inspection. I could of answered and "busted his chops" but I wasted enough of my time with him. I didn’t pick up. He leaves a message "canceling the inspection."
When the inspection regulations came into law (2001), real estate agents who represent the seller were prohibited from recommending home inspectors. They were required to provide a list of all licensed inspectors. That made sense to me, since inspectors who didn’t make waves were well-liked by listing brokers.
After agency law changed in 2005, most agents chose to represent with both buyers and sellers. A designated buyer’s agent could act fully as a buyer’s agent when another agent in the same firm was designated to represent the seller. Any designated buyer’s agent can recommend an inspector.
In the story above, this agent called an inspector who he didn’t think he knew. Then he cancelled when he realized that this inspector was “slow.” He was acting as a buyer’s agent at that moment.
How did you find your home inspector? How long do you think an inspection should last?
