Once again I get here too late to say anything that my alter-ego here hasn’t already said, and said very well, I might add. Of course, he saves me time which I can then dedicate to making a good margarita. 
i agree with you all. it’s half “what” you say and half “how” you say it. body language has alot to do with communicating overall, and if you don’t understand that then you should brush up on it. if you tell your client “yeah it’s in good overall condition, needs a little work but not much” while looking them in the eyes, it’s much more convincing then if you say it while talking on your cell phone, smoking a butt and looking at your boot strings. i usually know more about my client at the end of a three hour inspection them most people know about their neighbors.
Neighbors :?:
All This Has Been A Great Read, Just The Few Months I’ve Checked Out NACHI It Seems The Best place To Learn. I Just Signed Up For Classes And Hope To Pass The Test Here In Texas And Someday Be Worthy Of Being Part Of NACHI.
You Folks Are Great To Learn From And NACHI Is The Most Impressive Of The Sites I Checked Into, Hope This Was Okay To Post Here…Back To Lurking Until April Test Is Taken, Then I’m Gonna Pass The NACHI Test Which Has Been Great To Try.
Robert
(Hoping To Be A Home Inspector)
good luck Robert. I love this job, and this message board makes it all work better. it’s like having dozens of second opinions at your finger tips.
Some would say dozens of Monday morning quarterbacks.
Education.
First, educate that Realtor that the home inspector didn’t kill the deal, knowledge about the house killed the deal for that specific Client. However, I suspect that the buyer stilled needed a house, so what Realtor is stupid enough to believe that a deal has been killed? Unfortunately, of course, lots of them. There is only one deal, that of the buyer needing a house. I thought it was the Realtor’s job to help the buyer find a house, not just any house. Hec, any stupid buyer can find a house. It has to be the right house. And once the buyer becomes knowledgeable about the inner workings of a house, that specific house might not be the right house for that specific buyer. But, again, I think the buyer still needs a house, right?
Second, yes, it is in how we word things in our reports (or verbally) that cause Realtors to consider us deal killers. Rather than stating that the whole house needed to be rewired–which it probably did not need to be, but that’s an electrician’s call, not a home inspector’s, keeping in mind that electricians are licensed in all 50 states and that home inspectors generally are not licensed as electricians–educate everyone about the hazards of older wiring, older electric panels, older 2-prong outlets, etc. Armed with that knowledge, the buyer can then make a more informed decision, with which the Realtor probably will agree. Even Realtors need educating when it comes to the parts of a home. Hec, even some home inspectors need educating when it comes to the parts of a home. That’s why we have NACHI.
I educate my Clients through a five-part process:
1 - State the problem
2 - State typical causes of the problem
3 - State typical ways to correct the problem
4 - State possible results of ignoring the problem or not fixing the problem
5 - Provide a recommendation on what to do
Well said.
**Marcel **
RR, i agree, but with that i like to think that getting an over all consensis of an issue of say, 5-10 others will generaly give me a better idea of what i’m questioning…generaly, after all we’re just “generalists” right? but i tend to pride myself on reading people. it’s a talent i’ve had since i can remember. i can word thing in many different ways, get the same point across (depending on who i’m dealing with).
In a broad sense, most of us are generalist, Jay and some appear to want to be specialist as has been proven by many courts.
We can always agree to disagree on a topic, but there will always be someone that can be persistant in agreeing with what they think is right. That is the question, “What is right or what is the standard”? That is the question.
Have a good day.
Marcel
I agree with much of what I have read with regard to who the “customer” is. Clearly the HI represents the buyer (in most cases) or client, not the realtor. Regardless, the HI *must *report all defects and dangerous observations within the inspection site. Otherwise the HI will be evaporating his/her E&O deductable and probably looking for another provider soon.
As for the method, or verbage, of the reporting method; care should always be taken when wording the inspection. The HI should report cold, hard facts. Opinions regarding method of repair, cost of repair, value/quality of the home, or whether or not to purchase the home are not the HI’s responsibility. Period!
Having said all of that, if the realtor loses the sale, I agree that the realtor is mostly at fault for the following reasons:
- The realtor was not aware of the condition of the home (or did not care).
- The realtor did not know how to close the deal.
- The realtor did not know how to offset the cost of repairs by bargaining. (I personnaly know some realtors who have taken money off of their commission in order to close, thus allowing the buyer to handle the cost of whatever was stopping the sale.)
Never candy-coat or dance around the observation, but don’t scare anyone either. Most home problems can be fixed. It’s almost solely a matter of how much time/money the buyer wants to spend. (Ever seen “This Old House”?) I inspected a home for a friend of mine that was in pretty rough shape and, in my opinion, way too expensive. He ended up buying it because his wife loved it. *His wife loved it. *Need I say more?
Mr. Ray’s 5-part process is perfect for edifying the client. This gives them all of the information, without scaring anyone, and leaves the decision up to them.
Most of these have already been said, but I wanted to put in my two cents worth.
Hey, Randy.
Do you really think that your very first post here at NACHI is only worth two cents? If so, you’ll fit in well here at NACHI. 
Welcome!
I can’t remember my first post, but looking at Randys’ post, i think i want my money back. his is better i’m sure. Keep up the clear thinkin’ Randy, i won’t last long around here. (ha ha ha)
Hi. Randy;
Welcome to the post.
I can see that you have good taste on your responses already.
Good work.
Hope to see more. Welcome!
Marcel
Hi Russell:
Good information and very well put.
regards,
larry
Do many of you join the local or state realtor assoc? Our local board has an affiliate membership and I was wondering if it would be worth my while to join. Thanks.
Affiliate member, I get a Supra key.
I joined. It doesn’t serve any useful purpose. The only Realtors who know what an affiliate membership is are the #1 Realtors. And they’re not going to use me any time this century since I would mess up their escrows and cause them to have to actually work, something they haven’t done in a decade or so.
It would be useful if they let you have a Supra key in your locale. They don’t down here.
Have any of you watched the “Walk The Line” movie? The heading of this thread reminded me of it…F’n great movie…Mr Phoenix was robbed of best actor.
I bought the movie, it was great chuck.