I just went into all the Real Estate Offices to see how they are representing Home Inspectors. I spent about 15 minutes in each tidying up the Brochures and cards for all Inspectors.
In this process I found 3 not following proper equality and presenting only those that are new to the business. After I explained what all the rest of the Real Estate Associations are doing they just gave me the look.
I also found one new Company still not removing the Licensed and Ensured portion off the Stationary in Ontario.
This is what I got when I approached the coordinator.
“Oh they probably forgot! Do you want me to call them.”
Now I know that we don’t want to influence the Real Estate Brokers what they should do in there own offices but we also don’t want the Public thinking we are all a bunch of Cowboys. So check your Real Estate Offices and see what they are doing. Every Home Inspector should be treated Equal on the display and if they have favorites in view of the Article just put on by Roy http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/04/08/bc-realtor-inspection.html Ask Why?:shock:
I never went to Real Estates offices, maybe I should start!
I never thought I did either but I sure wish I could have taken pictures.
The brochures were everywhere and looked liked someone was chucking them on the shelf.
I liked one Real Estate Brokerage Idea and that is when you come in the door the first thing you see is the Flyers, Brochures and Cards all nicely displayed for Home Inspectors all along the entrance wall.
One did not even make me feel comfortable going in and it was the one that had the mess of Cards, Brochures and Flyers all over the lower shelf. No pride at all and yet when you go in the door right at the reception is all the neat cards in holders of all the Real Estate Agents.
One also did not have a big enough display for all the Inspectors. I guess they could not budget for a better Idea.:shock:
After this I will be in each week to check!!!
Regarding the BC inspection
This is a typical case where an inspector seems to forget his obligations of meeting the SOP, which includes making “reasonable” recommendations to his clients about the impact of a home with approx 90% galvanized piping. At a minimim further repair and replacement should have been cautioned.
The other point notes that the client was not prersent for the inspection. There are a number of issues…
There’s also a clause about binding arbitration noted in the contract…
Of course it includes the limitation of liability to the inspection fee.
Should be interesting to see how this goes, if it makes it to court.
I offer no comment about realtors because they are the ones most often pushing for licensing…not necessarily the home inspectors. We help reduce their “risk”.
OK that might be true Claude however I have friends that are Real Estate Agents and they are really good at there job.
My question is why would they not mention how we are perceived in the Office?
I will say this for confidence if I was a Real Estate Broker my Building and display would not look anything like what I saw today.
If I was looking for a Real Estate Agent and saw how they portrayed the Home Inspection Industry I would walk out and find a better one.
On the bright side, I’ve been in at the RE board office in London the past couple weeks for a course. The instructor was strongly recommending to all the potential new registrants to have home inspections on everything.
Confused Claude, did you mean to post this in this thread? Or have I missed something? Or worse has something been deleted the start of the thread?
When did an inspection in B.C. get mentioned, galvanized Realtors? 
I agree with your sentiments on the licensing issue though, you’ve got to admit, Licensing has sure helped the Realtors do their job right. Take a look at this
I did the Inspection, it was 1,583 sq. ft. and the rooms seemed to be much larger than that. The buyers Agent was appalled at the listing, so I guess in every profession there is room for improvement.
You think that’s Bad! Look into the Coldwell-Banker preferred vendor program. It’s standard practice that these individually owned franchises restrict their Inspectors (and other recommend vendors) to a small list of ones THAT PAY THEM.
It’s marketed by CB as a Marketing charge, but it’s against our SoP, it’s unethical and above all it’s unprofessional.
When I was informed of it by a couple of local CB brokers I politely decline to use their advertising space, and have recommended to anyone who asks for a Realtor recommendation to steer clear of CB and use a Realtor who at least shows a more professional approach to local vendors.
I’m exceedingly surprised at the number of Inspectors who sign an SoP and CoE that state they won’t pay realtors for referrals, and then do just the opposite.
I’m even more surprised that that OREA allows this practice to go on given the alleged stringent SoP Realtors are supposed to have.
For example, http://www.therightagent.com/Service_PartnersLinks/page_1655390.html
And now it looks as though they are cashing in at a Corporate level with the Coldwell-Banker eConcierge service: http://www.1110.ca/eConcierge/real-estate-marketing/NO-STATE/NO-CITY/coming-soon-preferred-vendors/8
Un-#$#%^$%^-believable!
Hello Len - No, not confused - just (wink, wink) hi-jacking like the M.O. for most threads. But just the fact that the allegation of collusion between home inspector and realestate agent proves we have bigger issues at stake other than tidying up.
My point being I got a chuckle out of cleaning up a realtors office. Good luck there!
On another note Len you hit upon another common ethical challenge - preferred vendor programs, and not to forget about the friend of realtors that have family members or relatives performing home inspections for that office. Who holds them accountable?
I know personally through experience it happens more often than we think.
For your information Claude I did not clean up the Real Estate Office. I only straightened all the Home Inspectors Stationary that looked like a tornado went through.
I was very fair and displayed every home Inspection Association and Business proudly.
I have always tried to give the best Impression for Home Inspectors no matter what the cost and will continue to keep that attitude.
I also agree with Len that if and when the time comes no Real Estate Agent will be able to recommend Home Inspectors as part of there standard of practice, make extra effort to convince to use Home Inspectors of there choice, use tricks to make sure of the sale and of course the last thing put pressure on Home Buyers to sign on the doted line before thinking.
BTW do you think the Real Estate Agent knows the best Home Inspector to use?
According to the video, no wonder we have a problem!!!
As you likely know real estate agents are often independent “business people” that operate under a broker for a real estate office. If I have an issue I go to the broker.
Sometimes I have been admonished by a few brokers for “killing a deal” of their top seller. So be it. I’m not there to help them sell a house that was already killing itself. I’m there to provide a top notch inspection service to a client.
Although I agree that they may not all be the best judges of the “best home inspector” to use, most are smart enough not to fall into choosing the “best inspector” or just their “favoured” inspector. However, until there’s a regulation to stop that alleged practice, it’s an open market; just like it is for any home inspector in Ontario and a few other provinces.
Like other comments, we must be careful not to generalize when it comes to characterizing realtors, home inspectors, or even associations.
I believe what you can do to build your own credibility and reputation is more powerful than the choice of association you belong to, or the friends that you keep.
Regarding the video - sensationalizing bad or wrong doing seems to capture a lot of attention. But my main point - we all need to be careful of not painting everyone with the same brush!
I know and still have many good friends in the real estate community. But equally so I have had many never use me, until it came time to minimize their risk for a family member. Likewise I have had a few buyers agents work only with me because most of the others could not provide a better straight forward service. They could accept that my inspection and report was in the best interest of the client. Not the sale!
It’s freedom of choice.
What do you mean “They never use you” A Real Estate Agent is not supposed to recommend inspectors it is the CLIENT that selects the Home Inspector or at least it should be. Now a Real Estate Agent can tell you where to look for one and even say the Association names.
However if I catch them doing so I tell my Client what benefit does a Real Estate Agent have in getting you a soft report? Plenty
Now what benefit do you receive from a “Soft Report” Zip
How many times have you heard them say the Buyer wants you to “Wave the Home Inspection” Can’t people see this.
Now the next trick being played is Home Owners trying to get a “Soft Report” to sell what they don’t want anymore and the vicious cycle goes around and around and around.
Now with that being said Claude we don’t want to paint individuals with the same brush. This goes for the Real Estate Agents also.
I have my group I trust and that is good enough for me.
Well it worked!!! I went into my favorite Real Estate Office and sure enough every Brochure and card was in perfect position along with 3 others Offices well respected.
On the other hand one Real Estate Office continues to leave the 2 Preferred Inspectors Brochures and Cards on the front entrance and the Other does not display any. This is right there on the counter for all to see and no others. Guess which ones are prominently displayed?
2 New companies that have just barely got there feet wet.
So in all my time I have not seen any Company do this and benefit as before long less and less trust is put into the Choice they make.
If you see this report them to the Real Estate Board ASAP.
If you are a Client going to purchase a Home steer away from such a Real Estate Office that has a preferred list.