Thread: I love Agents

I figured everyone would get a kick out of this and I was interested how you would respond. This is the original email. The home was 8200 feet, cost 4 million, its the buyers third home.

Do you know if Rick already has a copy of the inspection report? My guess is yes, since he scheduled another one with you on his Fawngrove unit. Do you still need his mailing address for the bill? Speaking of the bill, we (Julie and I) were shocked it was $800. I know the home is large but our experience would have put the inspection in the $650 range. Were you able to inspect the hot tub? I know the sellers had to fill it first and not sure that was done in time.



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• Agents inspector missed a bunch.

Tell her you'll lower your fee if she is willing to lower her commission.

She'll shut up.

rick

No suprise here. Why do the agents always act as if they are paying the bill anyway?
There is an inspector near here that will do your house for $200.00. Maybe he'll do this one for $325.00.

The agent should get out and experience what a real inspector charges and not what some low baller charges that she has been using.

Cheap, cheap, cheap.... said the bird.

Answer back that ... Yeah, Rick and I are were shocked that the commission was more than the 2%, as that is what we expected as many real estate brokers are only charging that.

Back at her and in her face.

Originally Posted by mathew stouffer

I figured everyone would get a kick out of this and I was interested how you would respond. This is the original email. The home was 8200 feet, cost 4 million, its the buyers third home.

Do you know if Rick already has a copy of the inspection report? My guess is yes, since he scheduled another one with you on his Fawngrove unit. Do you still need his mailing address for the bill? Speaking of the bill, we (Julie and I) were shocked it was $800. I know the home is large but our experience would have put the inspection in the $650 range. Were you able to inspect the hot tub? I know the sellers had to fill it first and not sure that was done in time.

Most likely the agent told the buyer what they should expect for the fee. I have had this happen before. I love it when the client acts shocked when I tell them that it will be say $400 and they say that their agent said it would be $325! I had this happen a couple of months back, my response was simple; I told them that was not my fee and that they should get their agent to reimburse them from her fee for quoting them the wrong fee! I have no idea what happened, but I have also not see that agent advertising in the paper like she use to do!

I would of said at least it is not 6% What did she do turn the key and open the door?

The client didn't care. This puts into prespective. It took the agent two weeks to close the deal, that includes everything. Due dilegence, I and E dead lines ect. So assuming she worked two 40 hour work weeks for 80 hours divided by the 63k comm, well that's a cool 787 dollars and hours.

I just had an agent for the first time in 10 years bounce a check for the buyers inspection fee $ 415.00 Its going to be fun like this for some time now.

What do you guys charge for a return check fee $ ? $ 50 Bucks ?

I don't known.

Any help

Best

Ron

Charge them what the bank is going to charge then add 25 bucks on for time and effort trying to get paid

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

I just had an agent for the first time in 10 years bounce a check for the buyers inspection fee $ 415.00 Its going to be fun like this for some time now.

What do you guys charge for a return check fee $ ? $ 50 Bucks ?

I don't known.

Any help

Best

Ron

I take 75% personal checks and 25% cash.

The checks bouncing.......one in 400 inspections and always a mistake and paid in cash the next day. I have been literally screwed once in the past 1500 inspections with a plain ole bad check that the person never paid on and moved back with family out of state. It was not worth pursuing.

For some reason or other the cash never bounces

Think "credit cards" my friends, when they book the inspection. It works !

cash is the best, that way uncle sam doesn't get any

Think "credit cards" my friends, when they book the inspection. It works !

Up til now, I have not been stiffed on an inspection fee, at least since I went out on my own 3 years ago. For the first 2 years, I had a merchant account that cost me appx. $800.00 per year. They tried to raise my fees again, so I dropped them. I could get stiffed twice a year and come out even. For now, I'll stick to checks and cash.

Hey, I loved an agent once... But, after the closing she never called, she didn't write... and not even a How-do-you-do...

Real estate agents really work hard for that commission... after all she probably had to replace quite a few pairs of hosiery, which she wore the knees out of, while she was dealing with the bankers and closing attorneys...
(Geeze why wasn't I born rich, instead of just smart and good looking...?)
Hosiery can get get pretty pricey...

In the mean time... does anyone use PayPal...? It's like a merchant account... (They deal with the credit cards and the fees are about $.35 per $100...) And, they are still giving 3-4% dividends...

Also, I was wondering how much business you all generate through the "on-line" experience? (Yeah, I know, that's a fancy way to say a web site...)

Originally Posted by Bob Phoenix

In the mean time... does anyone use PayPal...? It's like a merchant account... (They deal with the credit cards and the fees are about $.35 per $100...) And, they are still giving 3-4% dividends...

Also, I was wondering how much business you all generate through the "on-line" experience? (Yeah, I know, that's a fancy way to say a web site...)

I don't care for PayPal, I use it when I sell things on Ebay. You have to move the money to your account and that takes a few extra days. As for their fees? They might cost a little less, but it really is kind of a moot point because you can deduct the fees you are charged as a business expense.

I have taken CC's for about 10 years. Once you get setup with a company it is painless and also I think adds a little bit of professionalism to your business. With fewer and fewer folks writing checks, the debit card has and is the check of the new century.

I have used the Costco's credit card program for a few years and I have been very happy with it. I process the information on my computer and it is in my bank account in 2 days.

I would say that 80% of my inspection business comes from my website.

Bob,

Without the internet presence you'll be left behind.

I average probably 40% of mine from the web.

rick

Jeeze!
I better get my behind in gear and get my site up and running...!
(Yeah, I'm building it myself...) I've only put about fifteen hours into it so far... But, at least I have a template now...

40% - 80% business is a nice chuck o' chocolate to be missing out on...

Thanks guys!

Bob

The average commission is 3 percent if only taking care of one side of the transaction, if she is getting that then you are even and if she is charging 2.5 percent I would offer 1/2 percent discount just like her and so on. If you have MLS access you can look anf find what the commission is and load your guns before talking with her.

Originally Posted by Scott Murdock

The average commission is 3 percent if only taking care of one side of the transaction, if she is getting that then you are even and if she is charging 2.5 percent I would offer 1/2 percent discount just like her and so on. If you have MLS access you can look anf find what the commission is and load your guns before talking with her.

SM: Actually the usual commission split is 3% to one brokerage and 3% to the other. The brokers get 1.5% and the the agents get (if they are lucky) 1.5%, unless of course if they are acting as a dual agent or intermediary.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

SM: Actually the usual commission split is 3% to one brokerage and 3% to the other. The brokers get 1.5% and the the agents get (if they are lucky) 1.5%, unless of course if they are acting as a dual agent or intermediary.

If the Agents are good sellers they get up to 90% of the 3% if they are acting as buyer or listing agent. It is only the newbies that get the split from the brokerage. Sometimes the agents are just giving a flat fee to the brokers. There are many companies out there where they only pay 250 for the listing of a home and 250 for acting as buyers agent. Those offices just have a bunch of agents under their license.

If the Agents are good sellers they get up to 90% of the 3% if they are acting as buyer or listing agent. It is only the newbies that get the split from the brokerage.

TM: Like much of your "information" you may have retrieved this from a dark and dank cavernous location just south of your center rear belt loop.

Originally Posted by Brandon Whitmore

Up til now, I have not been stiffed on an inspection fee, at least since I went out on my own 3 years ago. For the first 2 years, I had a merchant account that cost me appx. $800.00 per year. They tried to raise my fees again, so I dropped them. I could get stiffed twice a year and come out even. For now, I'll stick to checks and cash.

Check out a PayPal premium acct. The fees are the same as a CC (~2.9%) and works great for occasional use and no merchant account fees.
Dana

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

SM: Actually the usual commission split is 3% to one brokerage and 3% to the other. The brokers get 1.5% and the the agents get (if they are lucky) 1.5%, unless of course if they are acting as a dual agent or intermediary.

I hold a real estate license and have sold many properties and the commissions are between 5-6 percent here in California then you split that with the other agent unless you are working with both the buyer and seller then you get it all (not all states allow this). If you are the broker you get 100% of the commissions, if you work under a broker you will get between 65-100% depending on the desk fee and e&o insurance and your experience level. There are many variation for commission structure but 1.5%, no one I know would ever work for that little. Maybe your area is different.

Originally Posted by mathew stouffer

I figured everyone would get a kick out of this and I was interested how you would respond. This is the original email. The home was 8200 feet, cost 4 million, its the buyers third home.

Do you know if Rick already has a copy of the inspection report? My guess is yes, since he scheduled another one with you on his Fawngrove unit. Do you still need his mailing address for the bill? Speaking of the bill, we (Julie and I) were shocked it was $800. I know the home is large but our experience would have put the inspection in the $650 range. Were you able to inspect the hot tub? I know the sellers had to fill it first and not sure that was done in time.

Why the surprise over agents acting for their self interest (as they see it).

The typical house deal is set and then here comes the home nspector. Last thing many agents want is for the client to value the home inspection and report. Hence the effort to force a lowball price and the encouragement to look on the inspection as a meaningless formality.

Fact is I have killed deals. When the client reads my report and understands that the issues of the property make it not worth buying at the agreed price or at any price. I am not surprised that the agents feel I am not "deal friendly" becasue I am not.

From a human perspective it is completely understandable why the agent do whateer it takes to keep the client from seeing valuie in my report.

Hence the never ending pressure for cheap since the correlation with how much something is valued and how much we pay for it is well established. If they can't fully control the inspection they want the consumer to believe that paying an appropriate fee for a fully thorough inspection is a waste of money because there are others who will do it cheaper . (read more deal friendly)

As an industry we would be much better served if we promoted our adversarial position to the agents. If our industry was perceived as a counter to the overblown claims (can I say lies) of agents the consumer would not balk at paying a price that is commensurate to its value for them getting a fair deal.

My $.02:
The the commission structures run the entire range that's been covered here.
The brokerage I work for will not submit an offer if the client does not agree to paying for an inspection or signing a 'hold harmless' clause. I advise my clients that a 'hold harmless' clause only protects me and my broker and the money is well spent on inspectors--I've seen a plethora of shoddy construction as both an investor and an inspector.

That said; how many of you guys go into attics? Do you ever lift insulation batts or otherwise check for water damage? I ask because one of my clients decided to save money with a FSBO and got an inspection, but there was a lot of damage found in the ceiling and walls afterward. Now the money he 'saved' by buying a 'bargain' FSBO that had been used as a rental is less of a deal than he thought.

And yes, it's the seller in CA who pays the commission, but just like taxes, all costs get passed to the consumer (buyer) in one way or another.

Originally Posted by Scott Murdock

I hold a real estate license and have sold many properties and the commissions are between 5-6 percent here in California then you split that with the other agent unless you are working with both the buyer and seller then you get it all (not all states allow this). If you are the broker you get 100% of the commissions, if you work under a broker you will get between 65-100% depending on the desk fee and e&o insurance and your experience level. There are many variation for commission structure but 1.5%, no one I know would ever work for that little. Maybe your area is different.

SM: Sorry for you that you hold an agent license. That said, you are after all working in the very unreal world of California. My comment was directed to an inspector from Texas, where I am located - in the real world.

The fact that no one in your state would ever work does not surprise me. But it does seem that the earning of income there through ultra-inflated equity accrual has met with a bit of a snag, huh?

Even the Terminator himself has been of no help.

Wow Matthew. I don't know if they would've even hired me but my charge for that house would have been over $1000.

I probably get 95% in checks and the rest in credit cards. One or two pay in cash each year.

I also use Paypal as my merchant bank. I have a button on the front page of my websites and the client can enter their credit card information without me knowing their card number. Paypal will also let you invoice someone. Neither ways require a paypal account for my client.

For those keeping record, I get 60% of my business from the internet.

Wow Matthew. I don't know if they would've even hired me but my charge for that house would have been over $1000.

JB: Be careful now. You will soon be deluged by Californian and Flahidian HIs who would surely have charged at least $8,000 for the same home. And that only if they were in a generous mood.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

TM: Like much of your "information" you may have retrieved this from a dark and dank cavernous location just south of your center rear belt loop.

Here is one for you but you will have to look up the plethora of other Real Estae companies out there where the Agents only pay a flat fee of

Home

THE MICHAEL GROUP
INVITES YOU TO A PROFITABLE, PROFESSIONAL AND PEACEFUL CAREER WITH
100% COMMISSION

WE PROVIDE
The Michael Group provides our licensed Real Estate Agents with a PROFESSIONAL AND PEACEFUL way to do business and an opportunity to be PROFITABLE in your real estate career.
WE WANT YOU TO BE PROFITABLE
Our business structure encourages you to be PROFITABLE. Our agents receive 100% of their hard earned COMMISSION, while paying The Michael Group a small transaction fee.
WE WORK FOR YOU
The Michael Group works for you. "Our Agents Are Our Only Clients" and for the low fee of $79 a month to sponsor your license, you can maximize YOUR PROFITABILITY. The low monthly fee affords The Michael Group agents PEACEFULNESS knowing hard work will pay off when our agents KEEP 100% COMMISSION.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Our knowledgeable broker, Kern Coleman, and our friendly staff are available to assist our agents with any real estate related questions.
WE WANT YOU TO BE PROFITABLE
YOUR 100% COMMISSION is paid at closing. After a small and affordable transaction fee of $179 (plus an E&O insurance fee) per residential sale, commercial sale or commercial lease you receive 100% COMMISSION upon closing and funding. There is a $40 transaction fee per residential lease. There are NO HIDDEN COSTS with The Michael Group.
PEACEFUL
YOUR time is your own. The Michael Group does not require mandatory office hours, quotas, or meetings. YOUR REAL ESTATE CAREER is yours and we are here to help you.
PROFESSIONAL
The Michael Group offers you a PROFESSIONAL environment along with a knowledgeable staff. We want your real estate career to be successful and we are here to help you succeed in YOUR GOALS.
"Our Agents Are Our Only Clients"
The Michael Group wants YOUR REAL ESTATE CAREER to be PROFITABLE, PEACEFUL AND PROFESSIONAL.
Our goal is to meet your needs and provide an environment of professional and peaceful support to help your business be profitable.

TM: So then, thinking of changing professions, are you?

$1230.00 Would have been the charge for the home inspection and another $500.00 for dealing with the agent.

$1317 on my calculator for that house. $325 gets you up to 2000sqft and .16 cents per sqft thereafter. Catch me in a good mood and I'd probably drop 10%...if they'd agree to write me a nice referral.
G

Originally Posted by George Russell

$1317 on my calculator for that house. $325 gets you up to 2000sqft and .16 cents per sqft thereafter. Catch me in a good mood and I'd probably drop 10%...if they'd agree to write me a nice referral.
G

Boy do I live in the freaking wrong city in Texas. East and North or South of me pull better bottom lines and more per square foot.

And being just about a brand new inspector at well over 10,000 license # you have plenty of work with a minimum of 325.00 ???? and .16 per square after that?????

I am just getting started in the inspection business and looking for options for pricing. What do you suggest for the for this upcoming professional?

Actually no I don't....yet. I have been thinking of lowering the .16 cents per thereafter a little but I'm guessing it's easier to lower your prices when needed than raise them. You got to start somewhere and get a lay of the land. I'd rather be know as that guy who charges more than be known as that lowballer.
G

BTW I have a friend in Houston who has a $400 min with a flat .20 cents per after that. He stays pretty busy. He's pretty established though.
G

Originally Posted by George Russell

Actually no I don't....yet. I have been thinking of lowering the .16 cents per thereafter a little but I'm guessing it's easier to lower your prices when needed than raise them. You got to start somewhere and get a lay of the land. I'd rather be know as that guy who charges more than be known as that lowballer.

G

I am not saying to lower it. If that is what the average is for the area then go for it. I was just curious if that was the normal or typical pricing for that area.

If the bottom line is 325.00 then work it up and roll with it. If .16 a sq ft is the norm or typical then go with it.

I would call a half dozen inspectors in the area and do some price shopping on a typical 2000 sq ft home and what they add on for extras such as termite, pool, crawls etc.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

I am not saying to lower it. If that is what the average is for the area then go for it. I was just curious if that was the normal or typical pricing for that area.

Ted,

I've spoken with a number of Inspectors in the Austin area. They are not having anywhere near the problem we have here with the idiots doing "Any house, any size, any where, any time, everything included plus WDI for only $199".

I just don't understand these idiots here! I, and others I talk to regularly here, lose them all the time, and not just small homes either! We have idiots here doing 4000 - 5000 Sq. Ft. homes for $250. I frequently lose jobs to idiots willing to travel 100 miles ONE WAY to my area for a $199 inspection on a 3000+ Sq. Ft. home. I really find it hard to believe there are that many desperate and spineless Inspectors out there!

Originally Posted by EmmanuelScanlan

Ted,

I've spoken with a number of Inspectors in the Austin area. They are not having anywhere near the problem we have here with the idiots doing "Any house, any size, any where, any time, everything included plus WDI for only $199".

I just don't understand these idiots here! I, and others I talk to regularly here, lose them all the time, and not just small homes either! We have idiots here doing 4000 - 5000 Sq. Ft. homes for $250. I frequently lose jobs to idiots willing to travel 100 miles ONE WAY to my area for a $199 inspection on a 3000+ Sq. Ft. home. I really find it hard to believe there are that many desperate and spineless Inspectors out there!

ES: They seem to be everywhere. Ask Fort Worth Ted. He does them for $250. Only a total schmuck would discount his prices.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

ES: They seem to be everywhere. Ask Fort Worth Ted. He does them for $250. Only a total schmuck would discount his prices.

And that staement was suppose to be what???? Something that folks already knew??

Not sure where you were going there Aaron. Enlighten me if you would.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

And that staement was suppose to be what???? Something that folks already knew??

Not sure where you were going there Aaron. Enlighten me if you would.

TM: It was not long ago that, on this very forum, you stated unequivocally that you had just completed a $250 inspection. Please don't make me go back and find it . . .

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

TM: It was not long ago that, on this very forum, you stated unequivocally that you had just completed a $250 inspection. Please don't make me go back and find it . . .

I have stated that many times that my bottom line is 250. That is what I was asking. I thought that was common knowledge already that you were putting out there.

I also state that everything else to do with home inspection is extra. No free termite or foundation analysis or IR etc etc.

I don't try to gain work by passing on a useless warranty or offering "free security inspections" (the buyer can call all the inspection compnaies they want) that is all hype and fluff.

Many inspectors boast higher prices than me on this side of town but then throw the termite in for free or at least next to nothing. I think if you check my given market area out with websites or the email marketing done. There are countless down to 200 with most everything thrown in or 250 with everything thrown in.

It is a matter of survival in your market area. If I had a minimum of 300 just for a home inspection I would be doing 1 or 2 inspections a week right now in this area. No I am not with the 200 dollar guys. No I am not with the 300 guys but I am more than the 300 guys once I add in the termite for minimum pricing.

I also know what most inspectors in North Central Texas are charging and what they offer with the home inspection for their base price. My base price is not that bad at all.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

TM: It was not long ago that, on this very forum, you stated unequivocally that you had just completed a $250 inspection. Please don't make me go back and find it . . .

From your website........................................... ......................

"includes complete general inspection and a termite (WDI) inspection"

And you have a base price of ..what is it .....325. Kind of sounds like you have a base price of 250.00 as well.

That is exactly what I am talking about. People boasting higher base prices that are not base prices at all.

A base price is just the Texas Real Estate Commisions Home Inspection. Things like termite inspections are things considered as extras.

Funny how we are on the same page....HUH ????? Just another give away boy I guess and trying to make others look bad with the same pricing.

OOps

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

From your website........................................... ......................

"includes complete general inspection and a termite (WDI) inspection"

And you have a base price of ..what is it .....325. Kind of sounds like you have a base price of 250.00 as well.

That is exactly what I am talking about. People boasting higher base prices that are not base prices at all.

A base price is just the Texas Real Estate Commisions Home Inspection. Things like termite inspections are things considered as extras.

Funny how we are on the same page....HUH ????? Just another give away boy I guess and trying to make others look bad with the same pricing.

OOps

TM: Either you cannot read English whenever numbers are added to it or you were looking at someone else's website. My minimum fee is $380 for a slab foundation under 2000 s.f. ($540 for P&B). Termite inspections can be had for $45 (less if purchased in quantity). That makes my minimum fee $335 ($495) using the accepted mathematics of the society.

You are the discount boy, not me.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

TM: Either you cannot read English whenever numbers are added to it or you were looking at someone else's website. My minimum fee is $380 for a slab foundation under 2000 s.f. ($540 for P&B). Termite inspections can be had for $45 (less if purchased in quantity). That makes my minimum fee $335 ($495) using the accepted mathematics of the society.

You are the discount boy, not me.

Minimumm fee of 335 ?????? Well maybe it is but if you say your minimum fee is 335 and this is from your site

"Unlike the majority of our would be competitors, we do not nickel and dime you with a la carte add-on prices for sprinkler systems, gas lines, security systems, et al. All prices include a complete general inspection and a termite (WDI) inspection"

You may wish to correct the free termite if that is not the case.

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

I just had an agent for the first time in 10 years bounce a check for the buyers inspection fee $ 415.00 Its going to be fun like this for some time now.

What do you guys charge for a return check fee $ ? $ 50 Bucks ?

I don't known.

Any help

Best

Ron

The first thing I assume is that the check won't be paid. AAnd that I will run around wasting a lot of time trying to get paid.

In my agreement in the payment clause I detail the charges if your check bounces. First off it's an extra $50. For aggravation and such. Then I charge $11 per day for everyday the check is unpaid. (same charge as if I was overdrawn at my bank). My agreement says I charge $175 per hour and that all time I use dealing with an unpaid check is billable. So I track my time and add it to the running total. Plus any returned check charges from my bank ($25) is the minimum if a check I depost bounces.

As I said I assume it won't be paid. So far I've dealt with 3. I run the total and when it isn't paid after 30 days I file a small claims court action. In the end I've got judgements for all 3. None got paid but then you can at least write off the total as a bad debt. It's a deductible loss.

Of course if it's in New Hampshire I would take the check to the local Sheriff. Unpaid after 7 days it's a crime and the Sheriff will go slap the cuffs on.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

I am not saying to lower it. If that is what the average is for the area then go for it. I was just curious if that was the normal or typical pricing for that area.

If the bottom line is 325.00 then work it up and roll with it. If .16 a sq ft is the norm or typical then go with it.

I would call a half dozen inspectors in the area and do some price shopping on a typical 2000 sq ft home and what they add on for extras such as termite, pool, crawls etc.

I believe that most around here are charging about .12 to .14 cents per sqft on their thereafter pricing. $325 is about right for the starting price around here....some are a little cheaper though. And that's ok with me.
G

Originally Posted by George Russell

I believe that most around here are charging about .12 to .14 cents per sqft on their thereafter pricing. $325 is about right for the starting price around here....some are a little cheaper though. And that's ok with me.
G

Thats great. I wish I could hold that here but as I say if I came close to that my work load would disappear. I have lived In Mass and Florida and from the areas of those states the Fort Worth area is about the cheapest I ever lived in with price under cutting. No I am certainly not the most expensive by any means but when so many are giving everything away for the mid 2s it is tuff to hold the price up and still work. If I moved north of Dallas and changed all my marketing in that direction I could more than likely push the inspection fee up that 50 or so but they have similar price restraints there as well but not quite as many.

No matter how I handle the call for a home inspection I would venture to say that when it comes to my final price at least 50% of all callers (fresh callers not referrals) end the conversation right there and you never hear from them again. Not that long ago my percentage of booked inspections versus calls was way up. Thank God for ongoing referrals from past clients and reputable realtors.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Minimumm fee of 335 ?????? Well maybe it is but if you say your minimum fee is 335 and this is from your site

"Unlike the majority of our would be competitors, we do not nickel and dime you with a la carte add-on prices for sprinkler systems, gas lines, security systems, et al. All prices include a complete general inspection and a termite (WDI) inspection"

You may wish to correct the free termite if that is not the case.

TM: As I have previously mentioned here, you seem rather challenged when confronted by both English and math simultaneiously. I hope it is not as painful, as I imagine it must be . . .

Now here's an outfit that really loves agents:

For Real Estate Agents

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Now here's an outfit that really loves agents:

For Real Estate Agents

7 Inspectors, an office manager and a marketer. The only folks I know that are that busy and I do not know many at all that are near that busy, cater tremendously to Agents. I don't know about offering them money or reductions in price for the inspection referral. Is it legal in your state to pay for referrals or buy referrals with discounts? They appear to not be directing anything to the client. It is all directed completely to the agent as in call me to set it up . I will inspect for you etc.

They are asking the agents to hire them. Have they have absolutely no morals. Is it really gotten down to "anything to make a buck". I do not hear them mention the benfeits and loyalty to clients at all. It appears it is all offered to the agent and is there really a client involved.

Mike...How come you do not have 6 other inspectors, an office manager and a marketing person?

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Mike...How come you do not have 6 other inspectors, an office manager and a marketing person?

I guess I just lack the appropriate talents to achieve success in this manner - anyone who is an Angie's List subscriber might find it interesting to check their customer reviews .

The more serious answer is that I don't have the business in this market - the 2-3 times a month when I have a scheduling conflict I can not resolve, I refer the work out to a handful of other inspectors.

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

I guess I just lack the appropriate talents to achieve success in this manner - anyone who is an Angie's List subscriber might find it interesting to check their customer reviews .

I am on Angies List but not a paid subscriber or paid advertiser

What do the Angies list reviews look like for them. Anything good or interesting

I wish I had a busy enough schedule to have a conflict

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Now here's an outfit that really loves agents:

For Real Estate Agents

That page is embarrassing.

"If you love using Windy City Home Inspection, Inc. then share us with your office and we'll give you $50.00 Off your next home inspection."

YOUR next inspection?


"Let us introduce your office to Windy City at your next real estate office meeting - we'll bring in MaiChef Cuisine Inc. to cater made-to-order meals for your entire staff!"

Boot licking at it's finest. And some people get all torqued up over the idea of home inspectors performing repairs on houses they inspect.

As long as crap like this is allowed to go on, the phrases "code of ethics" and "avoiding conflicts of interest" will continue to mean nothing.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

What do the Angies list reviews look like for them.

I'm a subscriber (I use AL to find vendors for my own use) and don't want to get booted off for re-posting material from their site - but the reviews are not pretty.

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Seems like I have awful luck - I could have two jobs a week, and if someone calls with a third, it has to be done at the same time as one already scheduled .

I've discussed this outfit before with a few other HI. A couple months ago an agent was busting my _alls on an insp talking about how great her inspectors were. I finally asked and got her to tell me who she uses. It was those guys. You should click through to their site and check out their report. It's sooo bad. It's a good thing they know how to do marketing.
The client used me for their 2nd insp, not the realtor recommended outfit.
Their reports help close deals, beyond the money and free lunches that is probably why realtors love them. As we all know realtors don't want real inspections.

Well gentlemen. I know you folks are tired of hearing me beat a dead horse on a continuous basis ....But.

Realtors have absolutely no place referring Inspectors or even inspector groups. It is too easy for a realtor to insert even one inspector in that is Realtor friendly.

As I keep saying. I do get referrals from Realtors but it is only a handful. They do not play games. If I make their life miserable and their clients bag out of deals then they find another home for them and thank me for the disclosure.

I am by no means saying that all inspectors that get a lot of inspection referrals thru Realtors are bad.

What I am saying is that if there is the absolute slightest possibility that they are interfering or putting forth any influence....what so ever...in the absolute slightest...then they should be banned from referring Home Inspectors.

With there being absolutely no chance of having absolutely zero influence at all in the slightest....they gotta go. Imagine your marketing dollars paying off. Marketing on the internet, phone book etc, just like all other businesses do. Clients not being fed to home inspectors thru someone that is banking on making thousands of dollars on the deal.

That deserves repeating "Clients not being fed to home inspectors thru someone that is banking on making thousands of dollars on the deal."

Imagine all home inspectors having exactly the same chance of getting inspections thru marketing and thru past client referrals. Many inspection companies would go out of business. Many new inspectors figuring out that they just have to play up to Realtors to get work....with no experience. There would be far fewer inspectors in the field and far fewer new inspectors coming into the field.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Well gentlemen. I know you folks are tired of hearing me beat a dead horse on a continuous basis ....But.

Realtors have absolutely no place referring Inspectors or even inspector groups. It is too easy for a realtor to insert even one inspector in that is Realtor friendly.

As I keep saying. I do get referrals from Realtors but it is only a handful. They do not play games. If I make their life miserable and their clients bag out of deals then they find another home for them and thank me for the disclosure.

I am by no means saying that all inspectors that get a lot of inspection referrals thru Realtors are bad.

What I am saying is that if there is the absolute slightest possibility that they are interfering or putting forth any influence....what so ever...in the absolute slightest...then they should be banned from referring Home Inspectors.

With there being absolutely no chance of having absolutely zero influence at all in the slightest....they gotta go. Imagine your marketing dollars paying off. Marketing on the internet, phone book etc, just like all other businesses do. Clients not being fed to home inspectors thru someone that is banking on making thousands of dollars on the deal.

That deserves repeating "Clients not being fed to home inspectors thru someone that is banking on making thousands of dollars on the deal."

Imagine all home inspectors having exactly the same chance of getting inspections thru marketing and thru past client referrals. Many inspection companies would go out of business. Many new inspectors figuring out that they just have to play up to Realtors to get work....with no experience. There would be far fewer inspectors in the field and far fewer new inspectors coming into the field.

Amen brother! That'll preach!!!

Preach on

Seriously (not that I wasn't serious earlier), my business is similar to your's, Ted. I have a few Realtors that mention my name, but I told them up front, my job is to inspect the house and my obligation is to my client. They said they understand and now I know they do. Two of them have each lost a sale directly due to the inspection and they still call.

Bruce