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American Institute of Inspectors
AGENT’S SECTION
YOU'RE TOO  CRITICAL !
  • “My lender says that you are too critical!”
  • “My lender says that you report stuff that no other inspectors report!”
  • “My lender says your $475 fee is for this home is too high and the most inspectors are well under $375 if not below $295.”
  • “My lender says that you are a deal killer!”
  • “My lender says that he recommends you to all of his family and friends but that he doesn’t want to see you at any of his normal deals.”
Many of my clients come to me because of the real estate agent and lender’s positive or negative testimonials. It seems that some industry professionals don't want their clients to have an inspector that:
  • Is too critical,
  • Is too thorough,
  • Has been involved in deals that have died,
  • Gets paid more than other local inspection firms for a Sterling Inspections high caliber inspection.
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I have often chided that some lenders and agents would prefer the one eyed, one legged home inspector that can't see everything and can't get to everything. On the other hand, I have found that my clients really do want to know the truth about the property that they are buying and they want their inspector to get everywhere possible.
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So let's take some of these issues head on...
 TOO CRITICAL - How is it possible to be too critical when you are an inspector? The nature of this profession is to identify what is right and what is wrong with the building. I was blessed with a critical eye and I strive to be the very best inspector that I can be. My clients love the fact that I am extremely critical and detailed in my investigation and reporting.

"You're reports are so complete. We really love the digital pictures." Marlow - Puyallup, WA
DEAL KILLER - Yes, sadly I have been involved in many real estate transactions that did not come to fruition. For that I usually get the blame. Many sellers, lenders, and agents lose track of the fact that I don't invent issues. I simply document the story that the structure tells me. The inspection process often identifies issues that may overwhelm one buyer but not another. Each client has different expectations and thresholds of pain.

"Michael, we used you on 2 houses before we finally found our dream home." Rowena - Milton, WA
NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY - To be the best home inspector I have to remain a neutral third party that reports the facts accurately, indiscriminate of who the findings may offend. This means that I often have to be the message bearer of bad news. I accept this role knowing that it is better for the truth to come out before the sale is consummated than after.

"Michael, thank you for representing our interest by finding the water damage that others had missed." Scott - Bonney Lake, WA
TOO DETAILED - I accept this criticism. My clients pay a higher fee for the extra detail contained within my reports. This may include added verbiage, web links for more information, and extra digital pictures to help convey the issues correctly. Isn't that a quality you want in your inspector?

"I never knew there could be so much to learn about our 83 year old house." Allison - Anderson Island, WA
TOO PURPLE - I also accept this criticism. I have loved the color purple since I was a young boy.

"Wow, you are purple just like Barney the dinosaur!" Cindy - Age 6
TOO BUSY - It is true that there are times during the year when it seems impossible to book me in the needed time frame. I am only one man and can only do so many inspections. But that should not force you to go with a commodity grade inspector who is just sitting around waiting for your call. I do offer a rush inspection service to aid those without an adequate time frame.

"Thank you for fitting our rush order into your schedule" Jonathan - East Oro Bay, WA
STRAIGHT SHOOTER - I am hired to be honest and accurate as I shoot a straight shot with my client. I get paid whether or not the deal comes to fruition. This means that my opinions are not influenced to speak nice words to help the deal close. This allows me the freedom to do the best possible inspection.

"Michael, thank you for investigating and finding the source of our moisture entry." Tom & Mary - Ponderosa Estates, WA
TOO MUCH MONEY - My clients pay a higher fee for my service when compared to commodity grade inspection services. I feel that my clients actually get more bang for their buck by investing in my services than by saving money with a cheaper firm. My clients are paying for a professional opinion and that is worth the higher fee.
"You service was worth every dollar!" Marjorie - Meeker, WA
AGENTS - MANY WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH - It sounds like I am condemning the lenders and real estate agents and that is not my goal. There are many Washington agents who refer me by name and are completely sold on open disclosure and thorough reporting. These are agents who have built their businesses with the philosophy that if there is going to be an issue to deal with it is much better to deal with it before closing on the home than after the home closes.
  • LORI - "I tell all my clients to use Michael!"
  • LAKSHMI - "Michael finds the difficult issues that other inspectors miss!"
  • PATRICK - "Michael's inspection reports are just outstanding. I have referred him to my clients for years."
  • MARY - Mary tells her clients, "Michael Wicklund's report is going to scare the life out of you, but it is information that you need to know before you close on the home." Mary has had many deals fall through and dozens more that have closed even though major issues have arisen during the inspection process.