yes, if you trust your realtor, he or she should recomend at least three names.

Wed Mar 12 2008, 10:40

My recommendation is to always refer several home inspectors in your area that are ASHI certified. (American Society of Home Inspectors) Many of my agents get copies of reports from each of the inspectors they recommend and give copies to the buyer so they can see their representative work products. They delete references to specific parties and addresses that may be referenced in the report, of course. Many States now license and regulate home inspectors as well so you can check if there is a regulatory agency in your State

Wed Nov 14 2007, 08:15

Your Realtor should give you a few names, 3, 5 is better. You might ask him if he was buying who would he have. Ken S.I.N.Y. www.kennethcolesire.com

Tue Nov 13 2007, 15:24

David:
I think its time for you to choose a best answer.
Ruth

Tue Nov 13 2007, 06:10

Just want to thank everyone for their input, that what makes this site great. Lets keep the questions coming.

Mon Nov 12 2007, 15:57

Do you trust your Realtor? That's the real question.

Tue Oct 23 2007, 21:42

I generally provide a list of inspectors and let my buyers choose. In some instances, I make a specific recommendation. Those instances are when it is a unique property and I know that an specific inspector might be best suited for the job. I have a specific recommendation for waterfront properties, historic, for example. I usually explain to the buyers why I am making the specific recommendation. I understand, from a liability perspective, it is often wise for Realtors to provide alternate choices. I still give the list, but yes, I hold myself out there when it is a unique property and I know an individual with training to meet those unique requrements. I have usually found my buyer clients to be very grateful for the referral to a trained specialists.

Tue Oct 23 2007, 04:26

Hi David, what I do is I recommend a company with many home inspectors who are general contractors and CREIA certified. Here is the page I put together for the company I can recommend for the Los Angeles County. http://www.estates.la/Inspections.htm

Tue Oct 23 2007, 01:31

A buyer should be using a Realtor they trust. We trusting Realtors should give the buyer a choice of several reputable inspectors to choose from.

Mon Oct 22 2007, 19:24

These "friends"...everyone has a "friend" who trusts no one, and has the halo of a cloud around their minds.

I strongly recommend that unless your friend pays your bills, one takes advice from professionals who help get your bills paid...that said, if you cannot trust your Realtor to give you the name of another professional, you shouldn't trust either of them. At some point however you will have to trust someone who has the proven ability to do what they are licensed to do.

Mon Oct 22 2007, 19:18

There is no yes or no to this one. Your agent is usually your best source because that person has probably seen the best and the worst. Trust your gut and be there for the inspection if you can. Ask the inspector questions. Most things an inspector finds isn't a deal-breaker, but they can probably give you an idea of how much or how hard it may be to fix. They WILL find something, but you need to define your own make-or-break repairs.

Mon Oct 22 2007, 16:44

I also have a couple home inspectors that I highly recommend to clients. I always tell them though - if a friend or family member has an inspector that they recommend - to go with them. It's their choice. They have to feel comforable with the decision. Since most clients do not have other recommendations - they go with my trusted inspectors and are very happy. Do your buyers think you (the realtor) some how benefit financially by using your inspector? Ask them maybe to clarify. Good luck!

Mon Oct 22 2007, 14:30

If I don't trust my Realtor enough to go with their recommended inspector, I should be looking for a new Realtor.

Mon Oct 22 2007, 14:17

Wow, that's a tough one. I remember ten years ago when home inspectors were hated by Realtors because they were called the deal killers. Now there's not a Realtor I know that wouldn't advise getting one. But the home inspectors still range for the deal killers to the CYA piece of mind evaluators. You might suggest recommending one for both sides of the spectrum and tell the client about their different styles. The most important thing is to prepare them ahead of time. If someone has never gone through a tough home inspections, they feel like they are buying a falling down shack when in reality they are just buying a home that needs regular maintenance.
Ruth

Mon Oct 22 2007, 14:15

Yes I'm Answering my own question. I always give a list of home inspectors to my clients. There are a few that I highly recommend, but it's my clients choice. A good home inspection should take 2-3 hours, you should be present and ask questions. In general your agent should give you a few choices, if you only get one ask for more. I would say yes trust your agent, if you don't why are you using them? I hope other agents add to this from their experience.

Mon Oct 22 2007, 14:14