Actually, the sellers for not maintaining the home of initiating poor upgrades or repairs.

I go with "IT"s the INSPECTOR!"

#1. The alleged structural issue evidenced by the revealing of the bottom of the stucco highlighted in the inspection report was pure hog wash. Of course the buyer flew the coop.

The owner, $8,000 later, had an engineering report showing absolutely no structural issue exists.

#2. I go with "IT's the inspector!"
Presence of 'store bought ice' in the freezer indicates the ice maker does not  work. 

Rogue inspectors KILL DEALS.

Now an inspection by a conscientious inspector shares objective data in the proper context. "That is a 23 year old roof, you should plan to replace it before soon." OBJECTIVE

We are fortuneate there are many highly skilled and conscientious inspectors who are instrumental in assisting in the purchase and sale of real estate. Their objective, concise information is crucial for a buyer to make and informed decision.

Unfortuneately, agents are UNWILLING to weed out the rogue elements.

It is the house that kills the deal, Paul.  If the inspector is top notch he reports is accurately.  The buyer makes the decision on that basis. 

The house is in it's present condition because of the sellers' care or lack there of; the seller either repairs/credits to keep the buyer on board or not.

The inspector just reports the news.

The buyer is coached by his/her agent on what is normal vs. should be fixed under the circumstances: retail vs. short sale, getting a deal or paying top dollar, multiple offers or buyers market,etc. (perspective).

The seller decides what they'll repair, the buyer decides if that's reasonable, the Realtors guide their clients away from emotion and focus them on the big picture without compromising the clients' best interest to close a deal.

Hi Paul -- so many things can kill a deal.  Personally, I believe it was the butler.

I believe the house. The Inspector reports all issues then the buyer makes the decision on the reports, if it is suitable for them or not. These can be two conflicting perspectives. That's similar to that old saying: Did the Egg come first, or the chicken?

A big NO from me, it is all in how the news is told the buyer. Every home may need something, it is the hidden parts like well, septic, bugs or things you cant see that should be sought out. If the inspector is an alarmist the deal is often dead even if it is a little thing. If they take the time to explain and say what the options are, even the worst findings can be worked out. 

Yes, most of the time that's true.  Though I have seen some inspectors give some alarmist opinions that were well outside the scope of their expertise that have killed deals unnecessarily.

Sometimes it's the house...but honestly, it is also about how the inspector frames the issues to the buyer. I have had home inspectors kill deals.

Of course

I want to know all of the inspector's concerns about a property. It's then up to the buyer to determine whether or not those issues are significant to them.

Sometimes but I think it depends on how the home inspector writes the report and also talks about the property.  I had a home inspector a few years ago that was at the house for 2 days.  He was friends with the Realtor next door, and the Realtor next door did not like my sellers.  Needless to say the deal fell apart.  He talked about the house like it was a tear down.  I have never had a home inspector spend 2 full days at a house - there wasn't that much to see and any other inspector would have spent 3-4 hours max.

I would agree!

It can go either way.

I have went through several inspectors over the last few years.  They have either priced them self out of my market or have caused such drama in the way they present information that I do not hand out their info to my buyers any more.  The last one inspected my listing - deal fail apart - new buyers - same inspector 2 weeks later and his report was totally different.  I am so fed up with inspectors this year!!  Just found a new one - just did a great job on a listing out at Anderson Lake, he will be doing one for me on Monday at McCormick Woods.  His price is right and he is a retired contractor - so in the trades prior to.  I say that YES the inspector can kill the deal!

Absolutely, the inspector is there to point out the defects, and up to the buyer to continue to opt out.

you're right.....but you're always right....I hope you're having a good week, Paul....

Good evening Paul. I don't build them, I inspect them. I just finished inspecting a rehabbed property. I am not a codes inspector; I have to be code wise. Water heater, 5 codes violations; furnace, 6 codes violation; electric service entrance and box, 4 codes voilations. All of these were signed off my Metro. What did they do, sit in the car becaues it was too hot to get out or did they just drive by? No! When I inspect, he house kills the deal. I cannot speak for other inspctors.

Paul, it depends on the house and the home inspector. Excellent question!

Generally the condition of the house kills the deal rather than the home inspector. Many times the home hasn't been maintained or upgraded and just "lived in". 

However, there have been the home inspectors who make judgements which are well beyond their scope and include these on the inspection report. Unless they are certified in structural engineering they should not be giving their opinion pertaining to the structural stability. They should question it, and say it needs further evaluation by a qualified expert. 

I have had to combat the home inspection report, by providing a couple of expert opinions and showing it to the buyers. 

Well I think home inspector help kill the deal as they can blow problems up.  

This can scare a buyer instead of educating the buyer.

Usually it's the house that is sometimes full of harry and harriet homeowner projects and repairs that were done without permits. There are some inspectors that like to insert their opinions about each item on report, and depending on the inspector, that can be good or bad.

The house have issues; regardless.   I have seen inspectors write reports that are insanely erroneous and puffed up.  Presentation is everything.  Don't scare the heck out of new first time buyers (usually the inexperienced get these) by stating issues as though they are deal killers.  I have a few inspectors who take the time to walk the buyers through the house, show them quick fixes, etc. and calmly address issues.  I have also seen "rogue" inspectors who cry wolf.  Personalities of them seem somewhat the same...I work for myself...my business is great...I can find any issue in any house...yada yada..one even taking a pic of himself on my client's roof for his website! 

Usually it's lack of maintenance by the sellers but their are some inspectors who shouldn't be in the business and they can be a problem. I paid for a second inspection in one case just to show the buyer how different their reports can be. $22,000 repairs versus $1,200! The buyers were relieved and are now happy owners.

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington Very well said! We shouldn't kill the messenger.

Technically yes, but I think humans like to blame other humans, not objects. Way either to get mad at the inspector.

In my experience in Texas, with inspectors using virtually the same reporting templates, I rarely see situations where I could say the inspector killed the deal.  They do tend to shock a lot of buyers/sellers because the reports can be pretty frank but I think the home itself usually the issue.

I"m almost never upset with an inspector. I like when they put extra efforts in checking the property and explaining the buyer( if B is present) What and How.

You said it, Paul. I always tell my buyers the home inspection is a fact finding mission on the house, and it's not a matter of pass or fail. 

You have a point there.