Comments on: A home inspector to avoid

By: INinspector

INinspector — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:11:00 +0000

This letter is a template from kencompton.com . He is a inspector “coach”. Ken Compton is a sleezball, that really doesn’t care about clients. He only cares about his relationship with realtors. He has made millions by befriending realtors, and completely overcharging for the most basic home inspections. We are talking around $500 for a 1000 SF house. Of course he is going to say what he thinks realtors want to hear. But unfortunately, he can still operate in Atlanta, since GA has no licensing and no code of ethics.

By: ron

ron — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:17:19 +0000

For you and your client isn't the homebuyer my client

By: Hungry Jack

Hungry Jack — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:11:19 +0000

Bill,

Sounds good, let's eat!

By: inspectormoigh

inspectormoigh — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:36:26 +0000

Brianchoagland's comments are spot on. In addition, Mr. Easter may want to review his checklist boilerplate. His inspections do not meet the requirements of the state license law.

By: raypepper

raypepper — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:49:26 +0000

500 in Free Groceries? How much was this inspection? I must be confused. Am I missing something here?

By: brianchoagland

brianchoagland — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:23:53 +0000

As an inspector in Florida I commend your making this solicitation available for public view. There is no excuse for this blatant disregard of the standards of practice or code of ethics of ALL the recognized Home inspection trade associations. He has said in effect that he will be working in your best interests (financially), not his clients. Sad fact is that he never understood that you have an ethical and moral sensibilty that puts the client above the potential for one time financial gain. Thank you for providing this posting and your obvious good buisiness practices.

By: gsanchez

gsanchez — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:34:58 +0000

well thank you for filling me in i have gand alot just reading what you have
to say to this guy.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:10:47 +0000

LOL…I have some bad news, Mr. Sanchez. Washington, where this man continues to do business in this manner with full justification and clear conscience, is a regulated state. There is nothing in his state law that addresses this. He can legally be unethical. Licensing solves nothing.

By: gsanchez

gsanchez — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:26:26 +0000

this is way all states have to be regurated. or we well have a bunch of this happing.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:10:19 +0000

One more thing, Mr. Easter…your solicitation ends with your offer to help the realtor close his sale. This is NOT a description of any service that a home inspector is expected by a home buyer to provide.

A real estate professional who values his relationship with this client and who recognizes his duty to their best interest….will shun you. If you are smart, you will learn from this and change your way of doing business. If you are, indeed, the idiot that I say you are, you will continue to justify it and ignore this opportunity.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:49:01 +0000

Mr. Easter….I suggest you read the first sentence of the solicitation you made. It is printed at the top of the page. In the very first sentence, you make the first reference…to people you have never met…as “idiots”. All I have done is helped define who those “idiots” are.

What makes you an idiot is the fact that, in spite all that has transpired, you still cannot see the error of your way. You continue to try to manipulate the thought patterns of others rather than to modify your behavior.

You can see from the response that this real estate professional made to what you thought was a good marketing technique. How many others simply laughed and threw them in the trash? With so much liability at stake and a fiduciary duty to their client…only a real estate agent suffering from the same level of idiocy as you would steer a client in your direction for a free bag of groceries.

You are not the victim, Mr. Easter. You are the problem.

By: Bill Easter

Bill Easter — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:47:18 +0000

There are many ways to market and marketing pitches are aimed at real problems. One problem in the home inspector profession are home inspectors who are incompetent and not thorough, causing deals to fall through and themselves to get insurance claims and lawsuits filed against them. That is not our company. As I have stated before, in over 7 years we have not had either an insurance claim or lawsuit. Another problem in our profession is the Superman inspector who goes way beyond the ASHI Standards of Practice, state standards, or both to expound upon the perils of zoning changes, the level of street noise, the time it will take to commute to work from the inspected address, etc… or takes minor problems that are not significantly deficient and makes them major concerns. In either case the clients and realtors are not fairly served. There is no evidence in my marketing piece that clients are not served. In fact, I would argue that clients are not served when minor concerns are listed as major defects. All findings are mentioned in all of our company reports, but they are mentioned in the appropriate category for their significance as defects. We don't write soft reports to appease salespeople and ensure the deal. Believe me we are recommended for merit alone most of the time, but I am also a business owner who will market my company in whatever ways I can. If that means offering a bag of groceries with every sale, then I am happy to do that. It has nothing to do with being hard up. It has to do with the American Way and taking advantage of our free enterprise system. It amuses me that so many people would rather sit around reading blogs and say “look at this guy. Can you believe him?” instead of spending that time marketing their own companies.

I disagree with the man who said I don't represent my profession or the professionals in it. I am proud to not be a deal killer. I am proud to not be someone who overlooks problems, yet knows how to present findings, even bad news, to a client in an educational manner. If the authors of these blog posts spent half the time working on that skill that they spend on blogs calling people they have never met idiots they would be much more successful.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:13:25 +0000

There is licensing of home inspectors in the state of Washington and this case is a glaring example as to how licensing fails the consumer. These kind of home inspectors (and the real estate salespeople that embrace them) represent the true danger to the consumer and there is no licensing law that can screen them out. This man's license has the same color and offers the same assurance to the public as does the license of a legitimate home inspector who does not write soft reports designed to appease salespeople and ensure the deal. There is a reason that he is not comfortable enough to count on being recommended for merit, alone, so he offers a bag of groceries with every sale.

He also relies upon unwitting real estate professionals who will refer him simply because he pays dues to ASHI. As a former member I have a difficult time trying to understand why anyone would consider membership in a "society" or "club" to be indicative of skill. ASHI has fine inspectors and it also has guys so hard up they will buy your groceries if you let them inspect your house.

I have no interest in trashing this guy. I think he has done enough harm to himself through his posts....but I do want to assure the author of this blog, his present and future clients, and any other person who happens to read this blog that Mr. Easter does not represent his profession or the professionals in it. He is the minority and it was proper to point him out.

Caveat Emptor

By: willlong

willlong — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:02:48 +0000

I would also like to add to my comments:

Look at Mr. Easter's sample report, from his own web site:

http://www.movesmart.net/pdf/sample.pdf

Compare it to one of mine:

http://deckerhomeservices.com/Sample_Reports.htm

I would posit that a simple checklist report does not meet even the ASHI standard of am SOP compliant report. I use complete paragraphs and the pictures are clear and well composed. He also fails to make definate statements about problems, as in "probably roof sheathing damage" when to my eye, it looks pretty definate.

Looks like a "soft report" to me.

Hope this helps;

By: willlong

willlong — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:20:23 +0000

Do you also follow the ASHI Code of Ethics. Do you do so in such a way as to avoid even the perception of unethical behavior?

In my opinion, I don;t beleive you do.

By: willlong

willlong — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:16:23 +0000

I agree with Jim. And, if you knew our history, you would know that this is a rare occurance (on in-house matters, only).

I do a professional, thorough and complete home inspection. I regularly exceed the state and NACHI SOP. I also follow up with my clients to make sure that they fully understand my report, what is "major" and what is not. Part of this job is being a good applied psycologist and putting yourself in the client's position.

Yes, I have killed some deals, but I maks sure that the client, and their agent, fully understands why I consider the defect to be major, both from the "financial" side and from the safety side.

And, surprising to me, many times the listing agent is also educated.

One of the best outcomes is when the sellers, whose house I have just trashed (becaue of its objective condition, not out of malice) hire me to inspect the house that they are going to buy. To me, that is the best reference. The client has to TRUST you, and you can never betray that trust.

Mr. Easter, on the other hand, seems to be willing to sell his services to the highest bidder, not to do what is ethically required of him, which is to serve his client.

Just my opinion, and hope this helps;

By: willlong

willlong — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:03:42 +0000

I find this letter to be very offensive. This inspector should be drummed out of the business.

I am an Illinois state licensed inspecor, a CMI (Certified Master Inspector) as well as a certified thermographer and mold inspector. These clowns make me mad.

Sure, I have many Realtors who refer my company (most of them, only my company), but they do si because I did a thorough inspetion, write a complete report (with pictures and diagrams and full paragraphs describing the property and presenting any problems that exist. I write up all the defects, but I also put them in perspective (no GFCIs. Safety hazard! But easy and inexpensive to deal with (about $15.00 per recepticle). I work to inform my clients, fully, but also to educate them.

Most of the Realtors who refer me were the listing agents or brokers of a property that my client was going to buy. They say how I handled the inspection and asked me for my card (I never offer a card, the listing agent must ask for one). I am very proud that when I am able to please both the client, and the seller's agent, by my work.

I believe that inspectors who solicite agents (sometimes, very aggresively) are just inexperienced and insecure. If an inspector is good, his work, and his report, will speak for itself. This year, only 21% of my inspections resulted from Realtor referrals, with just under 50% of my business being generated from my web site and the remainder from referrals from past clients. The best marketing, for inspectors as well as Realtors, comes from doing a good job, not from bribery.

Unfortunately, the ASHI group seems to thive on their business from Realtor referrals. Thus, their so-called "branding" PR campaign of a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I know many good and professional ASHI inspectors (ASHI National Headquarters is only 6 miles west of where I live), but these professional inspectors don't always agree with the direction that their leadership is taking. I am a member of NACHI, and prefer its promotion of more education, rather than more PR propoganda.

I share your discust with the loose cannon sham of an inspector.

Will Decker
Decker Home Services
www. DeckerHomeServices.com

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:53:49 +0000

In marketing, Mr. Easter, "perception" is truth. What this real estate professional "perceived" after reading your solicitation to help him "keep his deal together" was an inspector that no one should ever hire. I agree with him.

Your attempt to direct the blame on the process of "blogging" is humorous. Why not, instead, learn from this realtor's response and understand that he represents many other ethical and professional people who are not looking for home inspectors that seek to please the real estate salesman but, instead, promise to write complete, thorough and unbiased inspection reports. Honest realtors appreciate that more than they appreciate offers for soft reports.

Also learn that you represent more than just yourself with stunts like this. Find the guy who sold you this absurd marketing technique and demand that he return the $9.95 you paid him.

Instead of blasting this man's blog, you should thank him for bringing this to your intention in time to change. Now that there is licensing in your state, he has someone to complain to should he find an inspector with questionable values.

What is this guy to advise his client if he ever shows a house where the seller has employed "Bill Easter" to inspect it, knowing what he knows about your priorities?

By: Bill Easter

Bill Easter — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:40:23 +0000

This was my introduction to blogging. I have never been on one before. I don't think that all blogs are the same, in the same way that a Hollywood “News” show does not have the same standards as “60 minutes.” Is blogging “news” or is it just opinions? If it is portrayed as news, then the writers of the blogs would check sources and verify facts, something that was not done here. No one contacted me to ask me what anything meant in our marketing piece. Instead misinformed people called things they didn't understand “sleazy” and me an “idiot.” It all started with an anonymous phone call, the coward's way, and then proceeded to misinformation (like I couldn't be found on the ASHI website when I have been found on there for 7 years). The lesson for me is this. Blogging appears to be nothing to be relied on as it is full of bad interpretations, misinformation, errors concerning facts, and just good old fashioned bad manners. Mr. Bushart says realtors who rely on “guys like this” will be in business only a short time. We have worked with some of the Seattle area's biggest producing realtors for 7 years now. So much for his theory.

By: Bill Easter

Bill Easter — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:53:48 +0000

So much anger. Wow. Good luck to you all. We have been in business for over 7 years, we run a multi-inspector firm, and we follow ASHI and State of Washington SOP's. As I said before, we have never had an insurance claim or a lawsuit. We also have many testimonials from satisfied clients and real estate agents. There are many realtors who will only give out ASHI full member inspectors as referrals, a group I have been part of for 7 years. Just because you don't understand marketing methods or the presentation of findings, that does not make them “sleazy” or me an “idiot.” You can presume or assume all you like, but we are a reputable company that does an outstanding service for our clients. We will continue to do so.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:02:51 +0000

The valuable lesson here, for all of us, is to see how sleazy gimmicks and implications of soft reports are perceived by reputable realtors. Sure, there are those who will appreciate the services of guys like this…for their short time in business….but those who are in this for the long run know how harmful inspectors like this can be.

Good advice can be found in the title of this thread.

By: Jim Bushart

Jim Bushart — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:59:03 +0000

Mr. Easter…I totally agree with the real estate professional who was offended by your sleazy and…yes…idiotic manner of attempting to schmooze him in to recommending you to his clients. You, and others like you, who are able to promise not to alarm a buyer in advance of an inspection where a structure could be in the process of caving in, do not fool anyone. You are implying a soft report. As this professional has stated, some deals need to be killed and reputable realtors are counting on professional home inspectors to let them know.

It does not surprise me that an inspector like you would also know, from necessity, how to get his groceries for free.

By: Bill Easter

Bill Easter — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:42:01 +0000

Folks,
This is such an interesting site. I was given an anonymous phone call this morning where a man said "you might want to Google an inspector to avoid" after which he hung up. I personally consider anonymous phone calls cowardly. I am in fact in ASHI member home inspector. How Mr. Frey could say he can't find me on the ASHI web site is beyond me as I have been on there since 2002. I personally would not call someone an idiot that I hadn't met or talked to, but that's just me.
Anybody who understands the inspection process AND who read the entire advertising piece would see that I said we would be thorough, but not knit pick the property. I have seen inspection reports from other inspection companies shown to me by real estate agents that list leaking faucets and leaf clogged gutters as major concerns. I hear stories of inspectors telling clients the house color is terrible or the street out front is very noisy. Hence the term "deal killer."
It is entirely possible to follow the ASHI Standards of Practice and the newly adopted Washington State Department of Licensing Standards of Practice entirely and not be a deal killer. A lot of that is the manner in which the findings are presented. You can educate and inform clients, without shunning any of your duties as a state licensed inspector and ASHI member, and not scare them without reason.
As for the $500 in groceries it is entirely possible to give that incentive to clients and not violate any state laws or ethics codes. Not many inspectors know how to do this. To not understand something and then use words like "idiot" is ironic is it not?

Bill Easter
ASHI Member #211202

By: paulfrey

paulfrey — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:06:11 +0000

I just checked the ASHI web site and thety have no record of him. I will send them this link for further action; on his web site it clearly states he is an ASHI member.

By: Kevin Lisota

Kevin Lisota — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:58:05 +0000

Agreed. Real estate agents bear just as much responsibility to make sure that a home is inspected by a thorough and competent inspector. A real estate agent who lets a property inspection go through just to “get a sale” is also acting in opposition to real estate licensing laws and ethical obligations.