TOPIC: New Summery type

I am running into more agents, including 190 Keller Williams who will not use me unless they are pressed.  My inspections are more thorough and complete as any. My comments are exact and clear.  The  issue they refer  to is the summery.  Home Inspector pro summery contains major or significant items. This leaves the realtors going  through the report using my color code and pictures to find minor , safety and maintenance items.
The summery they want contains all the items; major, minor, safety and maintenance listed in order, with all comments gathered to their specific category.  They like this for obvious reasons. They don't have to work so hard to create an amendment. Two pages contain everything.

Is anyone else running into this?

Nope.  YOU determine what goes to the summary, not HIP.  Every defect, regardless of whether I think it is major or minor, goes in the summary. I can color code them but if it is not right, it goes to the summary.  I don't decide for my client what is important and what is not important TO THEM.  They make that decision with a fully informed opinion based on ALL the defects listed in the summary.

I don't care what an agent thinks.  I don't work for them and am not beholden to them in any way.  It is when you value the opinion of an agent over your client that you have sold your soul.  Each to his own.

Richard, do you have a sample of what the KW(s) want? Are you saying they don't want the summary to the description that goes with the issue, just the issue?

Do as I and many, many others that are not beholden to realtors do... Do NOT supply a Summary at all!

(Yes, I am serious).

I haven't issued a summary in over ten years, and have only been asked for one once since then... and then only from a realtor. My clients don't even know they exist unless a realtor mentions it. 

One primary reason why I stopped... because as Stephen mentioned, everything goes into a proper Summary. So, what's the point? The Summary is simply a copy of the full report without the photos. Why supply a "double report"? They aren't going to read the main report at all if they had to slave through an extensive Summary.

Anyway, seeing as 95%+ of my clients attend the full inspection, I provide an "On-site, verbal, walk-through Summary". My clients love it, they get to ask all the questions they have until they fully understand the concerns, and I have ZERO call backs!

Works for me.

Nope.  YOU determine what goes to the summary, not HIP.  Every defect, regardless of whether I think it is major or minor, goes in the summary. I can color code them but if it is not right, it goes to the summary.  I don't decide for my client what is important and what is not important TO THEM.  They make that decision with a fully informed opinion based on ALL the defects listed in the summary.

I don't care what an agent thinks.  I don't work for them and am not beholden to them in any way.  It is when you value the opinion of an agent over your client that you have sold your soul.  Each to his own.

This is a great point you make and good practice I think. 

I used to get complaints because I put everything in the summary and at times it seemed a little ridiculous I'm sure.  When I inspect new construction I typically turn up the radar and get ultra picky just to help the Client assemble a final punch-list; identifying "Uneven paint in the family room" as a red (or major concern) is a little weird even if that's what the Client requested...but the problem is that they share these reports and before too long you're the; "Deal Breaker".

I like to document everything I see as I'm inspecting so that the Client has a "To Do" list when they move in, if they manage to negotiate some repairs good for them!  I do prefer to save the HIP "Summary" section for what I consider to be major items (costly items and hazards), but at the same time it is nice to have a fully compiled list of observations as well.

For now I added verbiage to my report documents that explains that I classify a comment's severity based on my opinion and that it is critical that the Client read the entire report in detail.  Furthermore I clarify that I can't make anyone do anything and that my classification of comments really doesn't mean anything, if the Client considers missing hinge screws a major issue where I've listed it as an; "FYI" then they should request repairs. 

In my opinion a two part summary would solve a lot of this, there has been some discussion in another thread, it makes a lot of sense, I wouldn't be surprised if we see some options in a future release of HIP.

Do as I and many, many others that are not beholden to realtors do... Do NOT supply a Summary at all!

(Yes, I am serious).

I haven't issued a summary in over ten years, and have only been asked for one once since then... and then only from a realtor. My clients don't even know they exist unless a realtor mentions it. 

One primary reason why I stopped... because as Stephen mentioned, everything goes into a proper Summary. So, what's the point? The Summary is simply a copy of the full report without the photos. Why supply a "double report"? They aren't going to read the main report at all if they had to slave through an extensive Summary.

Anyway, seeing as 95%+ of my clients attend the full inspection, I provide an "On-site, verbal, walk-through Summary". My clients love it, they get to ask all the questions they have until they fully understand the concerns, and I have ZERO call backs!

Works for me.

I like it, but I'm always asked if my report includes a summary.  ...I suppose it is easy enough to say; "No" and explain why!  LOL.