|
|
|
 |
|
Chris Miller - Founder and President of Suncoast Inspections.com |
|
- Back Home - |
What is an INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR?
Consider who recommended your home inspector. Was it a friend or a family member? If so, you can be reasonably certain they are basing their recommendation on a positive experience they have had. Previous clients can tell you about their experience, how they were treated, how professional, knowledgeable, how thorough the inspector was, what information or findings provided and if the inspector provided service after the inspection.
Was the home inspector recommended by someone who will profit from the sale of the home? If so, there may exist a conflict of interest. Real Estate Agents generally do not like Independent Home Inspectors, so they may steer you away from us or hold up three others as "their" experts. We cannot lump all real estate agents into one category but in 15 years of inspecting we found a handful of honest agents. They know who they are.
An Independent Home Inspector is one who has signed a pledge stating that they do not actively solicit Real Estate Agents for homebuyer client leads. The Independent Home Inspectors of North America ,IHINA, is the only home inspector association whose members make the “No Conflict of Interest Pledge”. The Independent Home Inspector realizes that the Real Estate Agent represents the seller of the property even if they say they represent the buyer. Worst of all is in the state of Florida an agent can represent both sides. Talk about conflict of interest. An Independent Home Inspector realizes that the buyer of the property is his client and will work in the best interest of his client, whether the house sells or not. The choice of your home inspector is yours, not the Real Estate Agent’s.
A professional association such as ASHI, FABI or NAHI can provide a list of inspectors in your area. However, you will also want to know which members of these associations have taken the “No Conflict of Interest Pledge”. To find out, visit the IHINA site http://www.independentinspectors.org/.
In addition to ASHI, FABI and NAHI, we are members of the Independent Home Inspectors of North America and have signed the “No Conflict of Interest Pledge”, NOT to solicit real estate agents for client leads. It is our opinion that home inspectors must be totally independent of Real Estate Agents. In this way our clients can be assured that there is no conflict of interest on our part. Because of this stance and business decision we have been black listed in the local real estate industry. It is something we are very proud of!
The FACTS of INDEPENDENCE
Fact #1 - As of October 2003 there were over 6000 inspectors listed as members of ASHI, over 250 in the state of Florida. Only 10 of these home inspectors in the state of Florida have taken the “No Conflict of Interest Pledge” and only two are located in the Tampa Bay Area. Suncoast Inspections.com is one of them. Most recently inspectors have jumped back in to independence only after leaving. SI.com is the longest running member of IHINA in the Tampa bay Area.
Fact #2 – On average 75% + of home inspector referrals come from Real Estate Agents. That makes inspectors dependent on Real Estate Agents for their livelihood.
Fact #3 – Real Estate Agents keep “short lists” or a list of local inspectors to hand out to their clients. This leaves it up to you to determine if the inspector is truly working for you. If the home inspectors cause deals to fall apart they are labeled “Deal Breakers” not “Deal Makers”. To stay on this “short list” the home inspector ends up working for the Real Estate Agents, not YOU! Some inspectors pay to be on these lists, as with Coldwell Banker.
Here are two articles pertaining to this issue. One is a class action lawsuit against Coldwell Banker claiming it broke their fiduciary duties for steering clients to their affiliate insurance and mortgage broker. Coldwell Banker has a similar list of inspectors.
Coldwell Banker Stearing Clients Lawsuit.pdf
Example of Bad Ethics by Real Estate Firm.pdf
These kind of shenanigans are rampant in the industry.
If you think all home inspectors are created equal, think again. If you’re thinking of hiring the cheapest home inspector, think again. If you want a home inspection company that works for you, think and call SUNCOAST INSPECTIONS.COM!
You are getting ready to purchasing a home for you and your family, one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime, are you willing to risk that investment by choosing an inspector by price alone? We are more expensive and we guarantee our prices will be higher but our service provided is second to none.
A RAY OF HOPE
We have noticed a trend lately. The younger, new agents getting into the real estate sales business appear more ethical and concerned about their clients interests. We can only hope the older agents take notice.
