[DangeloInspections]

swrinfla,

You bring up some interesting points. While I have the upmost respect for Mike Holmes, there are a few things folks need to understand about "Holmes on Homes".....

1) Mike Holmes understands that all Home Inspectors are not the same. He endorses ASHI Inspectors and preaches that it is important to get a qualified ASHI Inspector.

2) The inspections he does on his program are not quite your typical inspection, as the people have already bought the home and then invite him to find verified problems. He then tears out walls, pulls down ceilings, etc. to "find and Fix"
That is MUCH different then when a potential buyer hires a Home Inspector to inspect a home on the market. The seller would never let a Home Inspector tear open drywall, pull down ceilings, etc......basically a Home inspection is a NON-INVASIVE inspection. Through the use of moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, etc,etc. we do our best to find problems, and most times "hidden problems" show clues and signs that are NOT hidden and we do find and report on.

3) He is doing a TV show and it is written for drama and conflict, etc....it's all about ratings with TV.

As an Inspector I have a ethical obligation to the potential buyer who has hired me to do the best job I can. That includes reporting all issues in a fair and balanced manner. Using common sense and being honest without trying to be "Alarmist". It is just as much about people skills as it is construction knowledge.

Do Inspectors find issues that are serious enough to be "deal-breakers" ? Sure, but not that often. It is rare.
Sometimes there ARE serious issues found that need to be addressed, but they are almost always able to be dealt with by either the seller prior to closing or by the buyer through negotiation. Even a serious issue that may cost say $1000 to fix properly is usually less then 1% of the cost of the home and easily overcome through negotiation.....but it is much better if it is discovered BEFORE the sale is made then after.

Home Inspectors of course do NOT get involved in the buying process. That would be wrong. A good Inspector inspects, find issues, explains them in a way understood by the potential buyer......sometimes discussing the proper remedy, approximate cost, etc. With that information the potential buyer can then make a more informed decision when it comes to buying the home.

I know I have done my job well when both the buyer and the seller feel my inspection was thorough, professional, and easily understood. Many times after I do an inspection for a potential buyer the seller hires me to do their inspection on the home THEY are thinking of buying. To me that is a compliment. I'll also say that any good Realtor would WANT a good, balanced complete inspection, as long term success only comes from having happy buyers and sellers....

One thing I would like to add.....many buyers do not know that it is your RIGHT to pick a Home Inspector that YOU are comfortable with......you do not have to hire the one the Realtor suggests. Ethically the Realtor should give you a list of Inspectors without preference, and it is up to you who to use.

I apologize for the long post.....it is a topic I never tire of.

Frank D'Angelo