What is the role of a Home Inspector?

I was speaking to a realtor recently who made it was quite clear that he has had negative experiences with home inspectors.  Some of his concerns were definitely legitimate. 
His complaint was that home inspectors do not know how to present their findings to the client.
They blow small issues out of proportion.  “For example”, he said, “the lack of a GFCI (illustration to the right) is not going to get you killed but if you feel the need to mention the purpose of a GFCI and the dangers of not having one, then also point out that a GFCI outlet is only about $25 - $30.” 
Another example he gave concerned roofing.  If the house has shingles that are old and wore out, don't tell the client that the roof is shot.  The client may not understand that you are referring to the shingles and not to the plywood and rafters as well.

Each one of these examples makes a good point. 
Presenting your findings has to be done in a way that educates the client.  Not every buyer is familiar with the technical terms related to housing so it is up to the inspector to make clear to the client what the concerns are, why they are concerns and if these are major concerns or would it only involve a couple of hundred dollars to rectify them.
    
The realtor went on to advise me that, as home inspector I have to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.  “Let’s try to sell this piece of junk together.”  (I know the agent and I don’t think he would want me to cover up a defect to help him sell a house but why would he say what he did?)
Now here is where the realtor and I part company.  It is not my job to sell a house whether it is a “piece of junk” or a great house.  It is not even my job to advise my client to buy or not to buy.  My job is to give the client as much information about the house as reasonably possible so he is able to make a decision himself.  If this “piece of junk” (the realtor’s words) doesn’t scare him because every one of the major defects is of such a nature that he can make the repairs himself; Great.  
On the other hand, if numerous small defects make a client decide not to make the purchase because he wants a trouble free retirement home; again, Great.  Either way I have done my job.  It is too bad I may have alienated a real estate agent because my client decided not to make a purchase but that is something beyond my control.  

In short my point is:  I report what I see and will educate you, my client, about it.  Then it is up to you to decide.  The realtor doesn’t decide for you, nor do I decide for you. 

  Submitted by Bert, for Benchmark Home Inspection Services.  Your Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Orangeville area home inspector.