posted March 20, 2005 06:52 AM            

Trouble is, less than half the realtors have any clue as to what this pin code is so it renders your Supra Key useless. We have tried several times to get the board to allow inspectors full access but it seems its not going to happen, the realtors don't want us to have it.

That's okay by me.....I turned in my Surpa Key. Why pay for something that I can't use anyway? Besides.....makes the realtor have to come open his own door.

posted March 20, 2005 07:37 AM         

Schedule appointments for odd hours and make it incovenient for them and they're be hollering at the top of the lungs to give ya'll full access.

It's strange that here in Houston, we have the full Supra Keys just like the agents.

There are some still living in the Stone age that use the old combo locks. Especially when you get out in the boonies.

posted March 20, 2005 01:55 PM            

In my area, the local board requires a Real Estate license to join the MLS. ONLY mls members can get a Supra key.

posted March 21, 2005 07:51 AM            

I have always had the theory that the Real Estate agent should be the one who opens and locks the door. They are the ones who are making the $$$ on the sale of the home and should also be the ones who facilitate all of the required aspects for the sale, including the home inspection. In other words it is part of their job to unlock the house for anything that is associated with the sale of the house or their client.

I have never had an agent tell me that they can not meet me to do the inspection. It might be that I don't give them the chance. When I make an appointment to do the inspection, I tell the buyer(my client) that they need to contact their agent and tell their agent that we have the inspection set for "Tuesday at 1:00 pm". The agent will not argue the point with their client.

Now I have had an agent call me after they have talked with their client to tell me that another agent from their office will be letting us in as she/he has another appointment at that time.

------------------
Scott Patterson
Central Mississippi
"Minds are like parachutes they only function when open"

posted March 21, 2005 08:56 AM            

Just my two cents!

posted March 21, 2005 07:46 PM         

As for waiting for someone to show up, time to do the exterior, clean / organize the truck, call the wife, get some exercise and walk the neighborhood. Time to think about how great this business is...

posted March 21, 2005 09:01 PM            

Not one. No complaints here.

Personally, I like it because I don't have to deal with meeting the agents who are always running late.

posted March 22, 2005 04:42 AM            

Also, since Realtors are usually late, it gives me "quality time" with my clients before the Realtor shows up to muddy the waters, so to speak.

posted March 22, 2005 12:07 PM            

I can't imagine yours would be a lot more.

posted April 12, 2005 12:34 PM            

Do you really want to "shmooze" with realtors? And what exactly do you mean by that?

If you want to become a part of their community why don't you sell your HI tools and become a realtor.

In fact, let me know what tools you have and I might be interested in some. I'm looking for a nice ladder right now.

I'm messing with you, kinda.

posted April 12, 2005 04:50 PM            

Bill

posted April 12, 2005 08:26 PM            

quote:

---

A little late in this discussion but I joined my local board for access to Realtors, opportunities to shmooze with them and basically become part of their "community". I can't think of a better way to get business than to get to know as many Realtors (on a first name basis)as possible. I also get access to mailing lists of the entire membership.

---

quote:

---

As far as keys go...I don't want them. I stop just short of insisting that the client be present during the inspection. One sure way to prevent law suits is for the client to be fully educated on what we are doing, not doing and where our liability ends.

---

You need to associate with other inspectors who have experience and knowledge of the profession. Make friends with some local inspectors and see if they will toss you a bone(referral) every now and then when they get booked up. With the busy season starting I have a couple of inspectors that I refer to when I am booked up and the caller needs an inspection ASAP.

posted April 13, 2005 08:16 AM            

quote:

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Keep in mind that 10% of the agents sell 90% of the real estate. You want to deal with that 10%, they are the Pro's and for the most understand the value of a GOOD home inspector and their honest report.

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posted April 13, 2005 08:26 AM            

I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that the top 10% that want an excellent inspection aren't the focus of marketing efforts.

You folks go ahead and focus on the REALTORS that don't want excellence. It's your forte'

posted April 13, 2005 04:09 PM            

"I believe every Realtor wants the best inspection."

Come down here and get a dose of reality. SOME want an inspection, FEW want a good inspection, and FEWER want "the best inspection" they can get.

posted April 13, 2005 05:58 PM            

quote:

---

"SOME want an inspection, FEW want a good inspection, and FEWER want "the best inspection" they can get."

---

SOME want an inspection-- these are usually the ones that are afraid of the home themselves. In other-words, they think they might get sued themselves.

Few want a good inspection-- Hell, yeah it's few! VERY FEW.

Fewer want the best inspection-- You could have stopped at few and that would have covered it.

Around here, inspections are a required recommendation from the broker to the agents. The broker mandates the agent recommend an inspection and if the buyer declines, they must sign a waiver. If it were'nt for the broker protecting his back-side, I'm confident in saying that almost every buyer would be swayed against the inspection.

RR

posted April 13, 2005 10:25 PM            

I'm glad I don't live in your locale. We have some bad, poor, incompetent Realtors here, but for the most part they seem to want the best, and I'm proud to work with them. For those who don't know what the best is, I'm only too happy and proud to show them.

posted April 13, 2005 10:27 PM            

You're absolutely right that I want "to work with the agents who are not selling anything!" No question about it. If I were to do only pre-listing inspections, I could not survive here in San Diego; the cost of living is much, much too high. Therefore, I want to work with the agents who are helping their Clients buy. Buyer's agents refer me, not seller's agents.

I'm weird (duh!) in that I am, first and foremost, a helpful person, always having wanted to be an educator, a teacher. Those salaries would not provide me with the type of living that I wanted. Being a home inspector is the only profession I've been in that actually pays me well to educate. And I don't really care whom I educate--buyers, Realtors, whomever.

Since Realtors are licensed in California, by definition they must be professionals. Now do they act professional. That's questionable sometimes. But that is true for home inspectors as well, not to mention doctors, lawyers, musicians, plumbers, landscapers, roofers, politicians, electricians, and every other profession that exists on the face of the planet. To me, that's just one great, big DUH!

I for one have not noticed that the best seek out the best. Some do, some don't. Since I have this inherent need to help and to educate, the people who need me most are first-time home buyers and first-time Realtors. The #1 agent in the country doesn't need me. The #1,000 does, and I'm only to willing to go there and help.

I'm an optimist in that I truly do believe that every wants the best. Many simply don't know how to get it. I'm happy to help them.

So you and I have nothing to fear from each other since we'll never be marketing to the same people. As I've constantly told many people in many industries in which I've been a part, "One can always create a very nice and lucrative niche market for oneself if one is willing to help. It doesn't matter who you help, just help."

posted April 14, 2005 07:06 PM            

Jerry describes their realtors as being less than reputable. Hooper has a thing for many of the hundreds or home inspectors who fail to meet his standards. The legislature cannot write an acceptable bill for home inspectors, but pass a law allowing Floridians to kill each other if they think someone might be wanting to kill them first....and it's not even hurricane season, yet.

All we hear about Florida up here is that it is where old Missourians go to die.

Russel, you should be grateful for your integral realtors and earthquakes.

posted April 14, 2005 07:45 PM            

"All we hear about Florida up here is that it is where old Missourians go to die."

Younguns now too.

COME ON DOWN! We'll start shooting at ya as you race toward the border. New Florida game - shoot tourists as they try to cross the border, any who make it get to stay.

Wish I could find it now, but years ago some cartoonist drew Florida as a hand gun, with most of the state being the pistol grip and the panhandle being the barrel. It was applicable then, but it will now be even more applicable - maybe we should make our license plates like that - in the shape of a handgun. Guess that would not work, the pistol grip would drag and tear the roads up.

posted April 14, 2005 08:53 PM            

Join the board, I only joined the local one here about a month ago.
My way of thinking with advertising is this, if it cost(per year) the same or less than one inspection and you feel that in that year, you will gain at least one inspection then go for it.
I joined the one here becuase I'm beginning to take different paths in the business. New construction for example, so far the agents I've met that deal mostly with new construction come from a different mold(I usually dont like agents)these folks want a good inspection. I think because their commission is not threatened as much.