Bill Redfern is the CEO of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections.
As an agent and broker for more than a decade, I met many home inspectors. Too often, I was stuck doing damage control after their walkt-hroughs with potential homebuyers; I was forced to cover the mess a quick-mouthed inspector speaking in hyperbole had made during an inspection.
In no way am I saying that all home inspectors are incompetent or shock jocks. There are independent operators who do a stand-up job. However, the inconsistency is notable and troubling. Many inspectors simply don’t understand the nuances and difficulties Realtors face in all the facets of their customer relationships when working to close transactions.
This observed inconsistency led me to launch a company aimed at training inspectors to not just meet and exceed licensing standards for home inspections, but to also understand real estate terminology, working in concert with real estate agents to meet the crucial needs of homebuyers.
My philosophy is simple: Let real estate agents do their job with the customer and let the customer make a choice on a home. Home inspectors should never interfere with a transaction. They should, however, inspect with honesty, integrity and offer a satisfactory explanation of the degree of issues found with a home on the market.
The Real Purpose of Home Inspections
Let’s face it — every home has issues. Fortunately, most are repairable. My company, Pompano Beach, Fla.-based A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections USA, developed a training program for our home inspector franchisees to introduce them to the workings of the real estate agent industry. During inspections, our home inspectors invite real estate agent’s customers to participate, observe and ask questions. The result is typically educational as well as reassuring for the customer, preventing many from making the all too familiar second-thought phone calls. Perhaps in that unfortunate phone call, the customer is questioning the inspector’s findings, or is having doubts because of something the inspector said.
Which leads to another crucial point: home inspectors should never be judgmental. They should be objective and, of course, report all the facts about what they find during a home inspection. Those findings should then be presented to the customer in a friendly, easy-to-digest manner.
Connect with Your Inspector
In short, transparency and clarity are the keys when it comes to home inspections. Homebuyers should only be concerned after an inspection if there is a dire issue with a home. No matter the case, home inspectors should put all findings into context for the homebuyer. The best of home inspectors will let customers know about urgent issues and introduce them to trusted local individuals or companies who can fix problems, putting the future homeowner at ease.
Some real estate agents in Miami, across South Florida and nationwide are taking a proactive approach and reaching out to home inspection companies to do pre-sale home inspections. This method of home inspection presents a competitive advantage against similar homes — studies indicate traffic increases by 28 percent in the showings of an already inspected home.
Reflecting on my years as an agent and broker, I have had plenty of deals fall apart because of a home inspection gone awry. I know firsthand how frustrating it can be and I don’t want it to happen to you. Whomever you choose to partner with in home inspections, make sure they have customer service skills and know how to speak your language. As a real estate agent, it will pay off in the end for you.
Bill Redfern is founder and CEO of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections, a company with dual headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Pompano Beach, Fla. With multiple franchise offices in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Redfern oversees a network of specialized home inspectors trained to work hand-in-hand with real estate agents while offering customers a comprehensive, industry-leading home inspection report. For more information on the franchise company, visit ABuyersChoice.com.
I find this ”article” fairly comical as I’ve been going through an absolute nightmare after an incompetent home inspection by one of this company’s franchisee’s (Charlottetown PEI). In my experience, the inspector was the exact opposite of what Bill describes here. Shortly after moving in I discovered a faulty foundation, faulty roof,faulty fireplace and numerous other issues that were never mentioned in the inspectors report. Trying to discuss the issue with the regional office in Nova Scotia was a frustrating process as well. I was basically dismissed, talked over and down to and told the inspection was done well, even though no one had visited the site to confirm this statement. Emails to the Florida office went unanswered.
Thanks to A Buyers Choice, my home life has been pretty tough over the last few months while trying to remedy the above mentioned
Ken
York PEI Canada
Home inspectors working hand in hand with real estate agents? If there isn’t a conflict of interest, one certainly could be perceived.
Ken, Sorry your inspection sounds like it didn’t go over well. I’m an inspector myself. While most of us take pride in our work and do a thorough job, some don’t.
Greg, I know it can be perceived in that light. A better way to put it is provide them with a reputable service and uphold there professionalism. Any good inspector’s honestly lies with the house he’s inspecting, and he/she works for their client, not the agent.