I am sure the has something to do with that fact that only one of you get paid whether the sale goes through or not.

I agree with Shirley Coomer and Gabe Sanders, both should be trusted for their contributions. But Barbara Todaro draws the best line regarding inspectors. They are a one-shot contributor and much less involved and responsible in the overall process. Don't work with a real estate agent you don't trust! 

This seems to be a silly question to me.  We, as Realtors, need to have knowledge of Home Condition, Appraisal Value, Future Investment, Loan Programs, Qualifying for a Loan, Ability to Pay, Motivation, Escrow Process, Title Issues and our clients best interest.  How do you compare one aspect of a transaction to all we are responsible for to our clients?

According to Mike Holmes, the home inspector!

In my part of the world, the Realtor has to sort the wheat from the chaff:  too many inspectors have learned to kill the first deal and create false trust with the Buyers to ensure another pay cheque on the 2nd deal.  Not all, but many.

I'm working on a transaction now and the buyers are very unhappy with the inspector.  It varies.

The inspector obviously since he gets paid regardless if the home sells.

Sounds like you wanted to answer your own question.

A seasoned professional knows the audience will make statements based on the audience they are with and the response they want.

It's is easy to throw stones at the real estate professional. The question you fail to present in your example is 'Why hire someone you do not trust?"

Do you see the contradiction? 

And the other missing piece is, "What did you say?"

home inspector - the buyer thinks that the agent is only in it for the big bucks 

Why? Why are they distrusting their agents?

Good morning Michael Thornton,

 I always recommend  trusted reputable home inspectors.

I would not say '' this or that''. Some of us, agents are not able to establish solid relationships with some clients, same will apply to inspectors. You just can not please everyone, if someone tells that every client they work with trusted them~ they will greatly exaggerate.

That is a case by case situation...many times the Realtor is someone better known and too often especially now...the inspector is whoever is available with tight time tables.

It is not possible to answer because it all depends upon the particular parties involved.  However, if this home buyer has said "5 times in one week " that they did not trust someone, they should find someone that they do trust. 

Michael Thornton - I think both of them should work hand-in-hand. Each of them have different responsibility so there should be no competition!

The Real Estate Agent must focus on transaction and home inspector - on home inspection and state the facts!

Now there are buyers who say 'they don't trust their agent' must not work with that agent. (However, I have seen some buyers who NEVER trust any agent!)

Sorry Michael I do not think the home inspector is the most valuable player. Most of my buyers cannot even remember the name of the inspector they used and that is even after I have them arrange the inspection so they have control of the process. I will furnish a list of trusted inspectors.

I would put my money on the inspector.

I don't trust real estate agents either...

The reason that the consumer does not trust them is easy to understand if you understand fiduciary and read the AR comments.

Most agents look for excuses that something is not their job, when in reality they are simply shirking their duties.

Eve

I would hope that the Realtor is trusted for issues dealing with the transaction and inspectors for dealing with inspection issues.  Not a good sign when the buyers are not trusting their agents.

Both need to be trusted.  I have to wonder what made the buyer think they can't trust their agent?  And if they don't, why continue to use them or at least have an honest conversation. In Az home inspectors are required to be licensed and bonded.  That said, you need to check  a website to confirm they continue too have an active license.  The inspector should be a "disinterested" 3rd party .  Give them more than one name and have the do their own due diligence.

They perform different functions in the transaction - hopefully both are trusted.  

Vague and ambiguous questions.  Each "trusted" person does a distinct job.  If a particular home buyer doesn't like their agent, this doesn't mean that one is more, or less, trusted than the other.  Sounds way too personal to put a generalized question out there and expect a one answer fits all.

They should both be trusted, if not, pick a new one to work with.   Not sure it is nor should it be a "trust contest".

Neither, usually it is the mortgage person.

the real estate agent probably earned that label him/herself!!!! the agent SHOULD CERTAINLY BE TRUSTED well beyond the degree of trust from a home inspector....you're a one shot deal ....you show up once and are never seen again.... 

That's a loaded Question Michael...Never heard back from my Building inspectors comments like that...mmm. Then again usually by the time the building inspector gets involved we have an accepted offer(contract) subject to a satisfactory building inspection with a week. It doesn't seem that any buyers i have had would be upset with me at this point, sometimes they are disappointed with the results of a building inspection, which then I deal with.

Michael,

I think both should have the seller's trust.  I think your question does not have enough info for me to respond to this question.  I would have to know more of the story behind it.  A

Oh my.. cant really say on this one.. it varies.

Trust will quickly fade with negative action on either side. I think clients will probably trust both equally until proven otherwise.

Ha! I think that is a trick question!

I think communication, being available and answering their questions are the 3 MUSTS. Too many buyers didnt research the agent and hired the first or biggest and soon learn bigger isnt better

All for one & one for all. My entire team or they wouldn't be on my team. 

To answer your sub-question; lack of competence or character loses trust.

Michael Thornton If trust is based on competence, I would say both are trusted parties. I don't know if I could trust buyers who bad mouth their agent to outside parties.

I think it depends on the agent but also I believe my buyers would say they trusted the inspector more for their area of expertise but me as a trusted source of bringing out needed information from the inspector.  We have separate areas of expertise but due to our years of experience with past inspections, inspection reports and inspection responses we can be a great resource to our buyers and buyers recognize then your value.  Overall value in any transaction it should be us as the agent but a good inspector is certainly worth their weight in gold. 

At time of inspection, the inspector....

If you're buying a million dollar propoerty with someone you should trust them. Was a gun forced to their heads to use a specific agent?

5 times? Really? That's crazy.

Based on your scenario, I don't think the real question is just between who is more trusted between the real estate agent and the home inspector... Your sub question is the real crux of the issue... "What makes one lose faith in their real estate advisor?"  That, my friend, is a whole 'nother kettle of worms or, in our case... blog post!

The real estate agent as the client is looking to us to refer them the inspector's, attorney's etc.

It depends upon the specific person who needs to do the trusting as well as the particular people who are under consideration for being trusted.  It is not appropriate to make a blanket statement.