TOPIC: Dual Agency - And "I" Blew The Deal

I did an inspection.  I do them now and again.

This one involved a dual agent - she "represented" both sides of the deal, buyer and seller.

She did not tell me that prior to the inspection.

It would not have made a difference anyway, but she should have been upfront.

The house was a flip.  It was seriously remodeled.  The term "severely remodeled" could also apply.

There was much done to this house, and VERY unprofessionally.  During the inspection, I used the word "unprofessional" a lot.  There were electrical things done that were "unprofessional."  Plumbing "unprofessional." Drywall "unprofessional."  Siding "unprofessional."  Floor tiling "unprofessional."  It went on.  Who knows what multitude of sins were covered by unprofessional work.

Then I used another word, a four-letter word really, I said, "This work was almost certainly done without a permit."  That bodes other issues - legal, county, insurance, breakage, leakage, hidden unknowns, future fixes, etc.

Mr. Rogers at this point would say, "Can you spell e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e, boys and girls?"

The whole time, and unknown to me, this agent was fuming.

Quick side note -->  All the inspectors reading this now are nodding their heads - they may even have a headache at this point from such nodding.  Take a teaspoon of honey - the headache goes away quick...

Back to the post -->  She called me the next day.  "YOU blew the deal up!  YOU have no right to proclaim work to be unprofessional!  YOU were way out of line!"  And on and on...  spitting, scratching, a bit of clawing, curved back, straight tail...  conjure your own image.

Here is the kicker, "And YOU offended the seller!"

I let her have her say.  Why not?  I have known her for years.  My turn, "C'mon Looloo Belle, I did not blow the deal, the house did.  I have been a general contractor, in addition to being a home inspector, for three decades, so I have every right, as a professional, to proclaim unprofessional work to be unprofessional.  And exactly why would a person who is NOT a professional be offended at being called such?  He could not qualify for a permit if he filed for one!  Would you buy that house for your kids knowing about it what you know now?"

No answer.

She has not called back since.

Her buyers did though!  They were very grateful for my frank assessment.  They were disgusted with that agent and had a different one for the next inspection, which they asked me to perform.  They referred me to two different friends, for two more inspections, who's realtors I picked up as clients as well.

What a happy ending!

Sigh...  I'm feeling so good right now I'm going to make some hot chocolate!  Maybe I'll check into the Bristow Bistro  bristowbistro.blogspot.com/

My recommendation:  Hire a freaking professional to do your remodeling!  BE a freaking professional no matter what you do!  Get a freaking permit!  And cover your freaking hind end with the Golden Rule!

Wow, I feel so much better now!  Thanks for listening, Doc.  See you next week?

Damn, Jay your like a plethra of information...does the honey thing really work?

I wouldn't personally deal with a dual agent, to me its a conflict of intrest.

I enjoy reading your posts I learn somthing new every time.

Kudos to you and... and... wait for it... BAM... +1 on the Karma-o-meter!!

Honey is a centuries-old home remedy for migraine headaches.

Thanks for the karma!  I felt it come in while I was getting my Raisin Bran...

I'll have to remember that