Omaha Real Estate Rob Luhrs CRS

Does this scenario sound familiar?

Some clients I worked with recently on a purchase wanted to find their own home inspector. I recommended they use somebody that has some credibility in our marketplace. I even gave them a few names to check out. Instead they went through the phonebook and found the cheapest guy in town.

When it came time for the inspection walkthrough, it turns out I had met this particular inspector before, about 5 years ago. I wasn't impressed back then, and I started to worry more than I already had been. This guy had no professional appearance, a weak presentation and a paper-clipped inspection report. You've got to be kidding me. This guy hasn't learned a thing in the last 5 years.

So we get the list of repairs, negotiate with the sellers, and come to an agreement. Everything seemed ok for the moment. I started to breathe easier. We closed the transaction, my buyers were very happy and I started thinking maybe my biased opinion was skewed. Then the phonecalls started.

The first issue was leaking water. It turns out that the water line to the refrigerator was drilled through the waste tube from the laundry room. The first time my clients did a load of laundry the waste water from the washing machine flooded the carpeted basement floor.

Then I get a call about an outlet hanging free somewhere near the furnace. After looking into it further, we find out it is a live outlet dangling from a junction box, just hanging out in space. Something I would consider a safety hazard.

There was also a list of other minor items that should have been brought to our attention. So I call back the inspector and tell him I need to see him back at the house again. After I point out these issues he says, "Well, looks like I missed these things. Sorry. I'm not qualified to repair these items."

I understand a home inspector isn't a licensed plumber, electrician, etc. But there needs to be some accountability somewhere. This guy completely missed the mark, then shoots down all of my suggestions to make this right. From his point of view, if he's only making $250 per inspection he doesn't want to spend more than that hiring somebody to make repairs.

From my point of view, if he is unable to properly inspect a house, he should have his licensed revoked. I don't think that is too much to ask for. Just like any other "professional," if you aren't able to act as a professional, you shouldn't be considered one.

I guess there's something to be said about being the cheapest guy in town. You get what you pay for.

Rob Luhrs CRS

Alliance Real Estate

I recently had the pleasure of attending the CRS Sellabration conference in Honolulu, HI. Of course the venue was incredible; who wouldn't love spending a few days in Hawaii? But aside from that, the classes were amazing. The level of excitement was through the roof, and the camaraderie was genuine. It was a nice change of pace to see everyone put their egos away and just work with people in good faith. The only competition there was who could share the most powerful ideas.

When I came back to Omaha, I was very excited to share and implement some of the new ideas I had come across. The formula seemed simple enough: These are proven methods of success that work for top producers around the world. Who wouldn't jump all over that? Apparently nobody. It was like a slap in the face when I returned to my own market place.

Everybody was worried about the market. When will interest rates drop again? When will the market recover? When will the economy stabilize? Why is real estate so difficult?

The problem is this: We have always had issues like these. We always will have issues like these. And others we can't foresee. But why waste time commiserating about it? I understand time needs to be taken to identify and handle concerns like these. But does it need to be day after day? I have too much on my plate to spend weeks at a time feeling sorry for myself.

I like to look at the positive points. And yes, there is ALWAYS something positive in any situation. Let's start with how hard agents have to work to differentiate themselves from the competition. In this environment, the cream rises to the top. I am looking forward to doing transactions with committed agents.

Also, I like the idea that agents are making more of an effort to contact past clients for referrals. Agents tend to underestimate the emotional investment buyers and sellers make during these transactions. After "putting it all on the line," some clients feel used and abused if they are ignored by their agents after the paycheck has been cut.

Another high point is the cleansing of the mortgage lenders. Of course not all lenders are bad people or institutions, but there was enough bad press getting around to make the whole business look bad. With all of the new regulations taking effect, this points toward a trend of better client management and care on the lending side as well.

There will always be people that see the glass as half empty. But does that mean you have to see it that way also? If you believe that's the way, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. All I see is opportunity. It's your choice.

Rob Luhrs CRS

Alliance Real Estate