What does a realtor look for in a home inspection?
Most home buyers look to their Realtor for advice on who to choose when they are looking for a Home Inspector. Some Realtors are reluctant to recommend anyone because they fear that it will hurt their reputation if the inspector does a poor job or misses something. Most Realtors will give a list of three names without committing to a particular inspector to shield themselves from liability. Buyers need their Realtors to help them make decisions and guide them through the home buying process and this includes helping them choose a Home Inspector.
So what does a Realtor look for in a Home Inspector?
The easiest way to vet your inspector is to let someone else do it for you. Georgia will let anyone work as a home inspector so long as they tell their clients, in writing, that it’s a visual inspection and report their findings in writing. That’s it. There isn’t even a minimum standard and there is no licensing body or any consumer protection. It’s “Buyer beware.” Realtor beware as well. We recommend choosing an ASHI Certified Inspector. ASHI has the highest standards in the industry and is the only accredited professional Home Inspector association, period.
Let ASHI vet your home inspectors for you.
No matter how many names are on your list, your client is only going to choose one inspector and their professionalism may reflect on you no matter how hard you have tried to distance yourself from the decision. You want to make sure they communicate well, maintain a professional image and they deliver a useful report in a timely manner.
You should never refer an inspector that does not carry E&O insurance. Never. There is always the potential for things to go sideways and if they do, you want to be sure your client is protected. Imagine if things did go terribly wrong. Imagine the oversight (or negligence) is so great that no inspector could afford to make things right. E&O insurance can ensure that your client gets a check. As a bonus, the right E&O policy will protect the referring Realtor as well. The BrickKicker carries E&O with a $1,000,000 limit that also covers referring parties.
The BrickKicker services most of Northeast Georgia, including Athens, Oconee, Winder, Buford, Jefferson, Auburn, Monroe, Braselton, Hoschton, Oglethorpe and Madison Counties. We have multiple ASHI certified inspectors that each have over 500 inspections under their belt. Call us today to hire the experience your client need to fully protect them, and you.