Getting an inspection or inspector referral for a potential property?

[Ramona Huot]

Hi, so I always thought that the realtor I will work with can gather the network I need once an offer is accepted.  But, I've been reading that it's best to find my own inspector to inspect a potential property I want to buy.  Because perhaps an realtor may use an inspector that will gloss over things just to close the deal?  What advice or inspector referrals can someone on this forum provide me ? I'm a newbie of course.  I would need a good home inspector to use for a potential purchase in the palm beach county, FL area. Thanks in advance

[Isabela Faria-Newell]

Hi Ramona,

Great work on doing your own research about the steps on purchasing a home! I'm a realtor and own 3 STR houses here in FT Lauderdale. I've used other people's referrals and have looked on my own too and now I got to a point where I trust the inspector I have and he does an incredible job. It's not necessarily true that a realtor will have an inspector help "hide" problems with the house to close. That's against our practice as realtors and inspectors and could get them in real trouble.

I do the opposite, the inspector works as part of our team and is trying as hard as he can to find something "wrong" with the property where I as the professional can negotiate and get seller's credit for my buyers for example...

If you trust your realtor, he/she becomes your ally, a professional fighter for you, focusing on YOUR best interest. That's why having a buyer's agent representing you is essential. We have the inside out information and knowledge to attack any situation with professionalism in your best interest for the best results for you.

Doing your own research on inspectors as the buyer is healthy too and makes you as the buyer informed of what inspectors offer and their pricing. 

I always encourage knowledge - Knowledge is power!