1,753,313
Writing their report and speaking to buyers as if they are code enforcement officers rather than home inspectors. I'm a licensed contractor as well as a broker, so all of the home inspectors who work with us know that they should not do that, but if they do, they need to be able to show my clients the location in the NEC or BOCA code where something is sighted as a code violation. They also need to know what the state and localities have adopted from those codes. They normally keep quiet and stay in their field of expertise.
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Theo Shaw
Evanston, IL
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Joseph Domino 480-390-...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
759,485
I had one Inspector who took 7 hours to Inspect the property. I have had client's use him twice & both times it was the same. These were houses that any other inspector would have taken 1/2 that time to inspect. I remember one of the buyers saying "I just wish he would finish allready". One of those deals went through, the other didn't (based on the Inspection). I like fact based inspectors & not Alarmists- he did a lot of "... this could be a problem down the road"- with things that were working fine. That pisses me off.
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
509,449
Forgot to close the garage door and when my client and I left we didn't know that the garage was still opened. The tenant living at the property was pissed. The good thing nothing was missing from the home. From that point on, I always check whether the garage is closed. You live and learn.
One more thing, some inspectors will tell buyers how bad things are verbally but on the report they will make it not as bad as they have described. Perhaps the fear of getting a nasty phone call from the listing agent. If it is as bad as verbally stated then they should write it.
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Abby Stiller
Cape Coral, FL
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
4,582,434
Life is too short to be pissed off although I admit to being perturbed on one or more occasion...but I digress.
Regarding home inspectors - I like fact-based discussion and reports. When there is a disconnect from what is being said at inspection follow-up to what arrives in the report ---- that's a bad sign.
As an aside, I remember two different situations when I was representing the seller -- neither the buyers or selling agents showed up and each time the home inspector said to me -- don't worry -- this won't take long. I'll be out of here in 20 minutes. You bet I took their card and made sure they were not part of any recommendations I made for my buyer clients.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
1,056,663
It can be annoying when they're not absolutely clear with the buyer about the difference between true safety and habitability issues and mere cosmetic issues.
-
Theo Shaw
Evanston, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
846,475
Nit pick. Make mountains out of mole hills.
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Theo Shaw
Evanston, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
6,418,788
Sometimes a bit over zealous, but nothing to piss me off.
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Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
5,240,031
Offering an opinion that was without merit! It eblew the deal
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Olivia Seelig
Ocala, FL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
2,221,377
Can't think of one.
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
5,113,121
Cost my seller a transaction by claiming structural issues with a home. $600 later spent by my seller for a structural engineer.... not one bloody thing wrong with the home's structure.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
1,506,163
Giving the buyer his two cents on dual representation and trying to kill the deal. He's no longer welcome on our property.
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
510,664
Where do I begin?
There are a lot of good answers here, but one that came to mind is the inspector that caused damage, then cited it on his report as a needed repair.
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Theo Shaw
Evanston, IL
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
902,038
Declared that air conditioning system was "at the end of its useful life", while there was nothing otherwise wrong with it and it was functioning just fine. Sellers split the difference with buyers for a new system that buyers never actually had to install.
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Joseph Domino 480-390-...
Scottsdale, AZ
3,349,554
The only thing that rubs me is when they promise the written report by X date and they do not deliver on that date.
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Theo Shaw
Evanston, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,583,328
there were a few times that I can remember having a home inspector cross the line.... it was beyond recognizing and reporting flaws.... he scared the B'Jesus out of the buyers... for no good reason.... just need to pound his chest that day, I guess!!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,254,675
Just give the facts and you'll be fine! NO subjective opinions, please! Those kill more deals than anything. Sure, you might get two or three inspections from one buyer but, you'll never get another referral from a real estate agent again when you give your 'opinion' and not the facts!
#BeenThereDoneThat
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Olivia Seelig
Ocala, FL
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
808,379
Alarmed my client enough that she didn't buy the house, but it turned out well as we bought the house and it is a great investment. We had a home inspection done with a different inspector and there were a few minor things to repair. Needless to say I never recommended the first inspector again.
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
599,734
Making comments that indicate the buyer "MUST" correct a problem when it is not an issue of safety, code, or functionality. Just present the facts and let the buyer decide what they want/need to do.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
352,976
Generally I don't get "pissed off", but aggravated when they go outside of the scope of what they are hired to do. Including making comments such as Seller must do this or that, or state something is required to be such and then there are those who talk too much about themselves or make small talk and waste time for all. The ones who tend to alarm the buyer vs. state the facts. Then there are the ones who trip GFCI's, break things, track mud or dirt in the house, use the toilet and leave the lid up, leave water running with the drain stop in....all in all, most do an okay job. Just not a lot of consistency for the trade.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,847,051
Not enough space for an answer .... but I would say when they say something out of their normal scope.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
3,167,714
only one time in 25 years and they broke an item and didn't take responsibility and my seller had to repair.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,553,599
I've had a couple missed items the client found on their own that was embarrassing; nothing that has pissed me off.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,684,669
Made a laundry list of nickel/dime items.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
290,969
Actually, with the Home Inspections (and Termite and Roof Inspections) that I have gone to, nothing has been a Red Flag, nor upset me Bob Arena - arenahi.com :-). When we represent the Seller, they have all been professional, quick to schedule our inspections, thorough in their inspections, have taken the time to check-out what is on their List, taken pictures, and answered questions. We have either gotten their Final Report later that same day or the next morning. It has been a good experience!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
280,599
Told us the brick wall was falling off and foundation was crumbling. Scared the buyer off. Second buyer tried to use same inspector and seller wouldn't let him in the house! Third buyer had a very competent inspector and we agreed upon needed repairs and closed.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,206,636
Comments in the report that go beyond what is expected. Example, If the air conditioning is old, do recommend getting an AC guy to give that same opinion.
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,201,652
Where do I begin? Many seem to think they are doing a service to the buyer with their misinformation regarding code
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
2,400,450
All but one of the home inspectors in town are very easy to get along with Bob Arena - arenahi.com :-) That one however is a pain because he will write a 60 page report on an ungrounded outlet.
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
716,032
Killed a deal. Last month an inspector said the crawl space was "infested with pack rats." The buyer ran. All the inspector did was pull the trap to the crawl space and saw below what she thought was rodent droppings. It actually was a pulled apart pine cone. The seller crawled through the entire crawl space and found nothing which indicated any rodents were ever in the home.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
1,153,794
Nothing lately, I seek their brutal honesty and that keeps me out of trouble. They're out there and I'd much rather be pissed off than pissed on.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
7,864,157
You just cope with the reports and get the deal to settlement.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
544,014
Missed important electrical problems
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Susie Kay
Plano, TX
1,712,776
Not the way I think about it.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
5,061,034
Years ago had an inspector who spent most of his time pointing out cosmetic issues. The buyer was most unhappy with her choice!
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,728,256
3,416,038
Had their friend give an estimate for a $20,000 roof that should be $4000. Then the alarmist.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
716,529
When a home inspector representing a buyer on one of my listings wrote up in his report that the grading of a lot on a house that's been around for 40+ years was all wrong.... and that would cost the seller over $250,000 to adjust and the city and engineers thought he was smoking too much weed on the job...
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
2,163,123
Telling a buyer an electrical panel was "out of date" and should be replaced. Deal fell through but during the consequent transaction, the property passed the FHA inspection without any issues.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
577,750
Actually, nothing. I use a Certified/Registered Home Inspector that has more than 22 years of experience... and have been using hom for more than 14 years, and he does a great job. He never alarm buyers unnecessarily.. is a straight shooter and does not exaggerate things.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
3,071,489
65,378
4,319,773
Nothing, yet Bob Arena - arenahi.com :-).
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
3,988,013
Spooked the buyer by acting as a structural engineer and stating things that are not true.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
117,135
I Only get annoyed when they say " You should ask the seller to repair that" They shoudl understand that is not their job to say -
Also, I really think they should actually test the smoke detectors with the smoke spray, not just push the button (which doesn't test to see if they are actualy operational)
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
3,986,308
787,865
2 years ago on a home inspection the inspector broke a ceiling fan, seller was pissed off of course.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,466,257
Bob Arena - arenahi.com :-) When I did residential real estate, if the inspector couldn't find anything they would write up broken balance springs in the windows. I never got mad just irritated because I always thought this was pretty petty.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
1,241,879
oversized guy declare he can not get inside the hole because he is unfit. Also those with a screw driver poking at wooden house thinking he is going to win termite repair contract. He is not welcomed forever.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
1,598,452
5,877,915
When I first got into the business I had no idea what to expect. My broker suggested me to use her inspectors, and found they did not look at EVERYTHING. I learned later when I used other inspectors.
4,961,536
6,265
Just experienced this with my first sale. Inspector made issues sound way worse verbally than in the written report. He told her "I'm sure she (me) can find you something better," knowing nothing about her budget or situation. Killed the deal.
4,434,177
1,624,853
Being extra ''helpful'' with advice and too talkative. Why would it take 4 hours to inspect a small 2-3 br property with very minor issues?
423,443
Whether I am the listing or the selling agent, I want the inspection to be thorough. My pet peeve is the drama queen inspector who presents the defects in the manner of Joan Crawford. Things sound much worse when you are being screeched at instead of calmly being advised.
4,800,132
When they refer to building codes that are either outdated or incorrect.