I found that a home inspector can become a real estate agent… but why though? Or, perhaps just as significantly: Why wouldn’t they?
You already know everything there is to be known about how a home operates, inside and out. You are the captain of uncharted territory (sorta literally), guiding a homebuyer toward knowledge on what issues can pop up in a house, and how to handle them. Oh, and who could be a better candidate to dual-license OR as real estate than YOU? Depending on your career this might be a shrewd move to increase revenue while passing insight gained onto buyers and sellers alike.
In this article, we will identify the reasons you should get your real estate agent licensure and some issues working with both. We will also guide you on how to get there.
Why do both a home inspector and real estate agent have a dual license?
A double agent, if you will. When you wear both hats why not just land in the sweet spot and get best of two worlds within your career…
For realtors on the other hand it’s the complete opposite of being in them
Why is this agent rushing me? And what detail do agents want in these reports? [ So why are these customers tripping about a leaky sink? By having a foot in both doors, it is easier to understand these two different sets of real estate transactions. Understanding the process from the questioning side of a deal should help you to document pain points, and improve your overall structuring.
In addition, you’ll be able to read the inspection report in its entirety and this will aid your negotiation on sales prices for clients!
You start to know your customers better.
The more you get the whole picture, and How everything is working together in order to be successful The better of a point person you are for your clients. Imagine the problems that you can save such buyers as they step through you to find their dream homes, all because of your level of understanding of what ought and should not be in a house. You will also wise up your inspector skills by grasping good protocols for relating discoveries so the real estate can take advantage of them. But, you can also console your clients when they receive a home inspection report that is peppered with less-than-ideal news.
You will unlock one more source of income.
The ability to double-side these transactions means more money in your bank account. So if you were previously networking largely with real agents, now this pool can be expanded more to buyers and sellers as well. Brand yourself as the “master of all trades” in real estate and soon enough, you will have potential leads clamouring to work with YOU. Girl, you will be a real bitch in no time.
However, one thing to note is that you probably cannot act as both the script and a command handler in the same transaction. Read on to learn why…
Watch out for ethical concerns and conflicts of interest.
But don’t get too excited and remember about ethical concerns and conflicts of interest. As a home inspector and real estate agent, you know that the secret to a good inspection is unbiasedness and honesty — you need to give your clients all the information they need about the house they are about to buy.
Not only is biased practice frowned upon, but it often leads to prosecution, and, frankly, there is nothing harder to swallow than ending up in court. Recall what happened in point 1 – there are only “faulty wiring, rust in pipes, rotten wood”, etc. Hang up. It’s hard for you to talk. But it’s harder for you in court when your client will accuse you of an unreasonably bad job and a heap of free costs.
This is taken so seriously in some states that you cannot do both — some prohibit practising two jobs for one home, and some even prohibit dual licensure, such as Texas, Florida, and Washington, by 2021. Never act in every transaction you have a player. This is a must for both professions, but dual licensure is introduced.
Avoid any transaction where you may be influenced by any personal preconceptions. Therefore, this most likely eliminates the possibility of working with your friends and family or working with someone you want to make a sale. If you have a double license, you are likely to be a social person who likes to help, which is great for both of these jobs – there is a fine line to be drawn between friendly and self-centred. And never take the risk of losing both your licenses!
How to become a home inspector and real estate agent?
As a home inspector and real estate agent, it’s somewhere in your head that you must have already prepared to pass hours of courses and take lessons followed by an exam that will bestow the name on obviously either licensed or professional designation. In contrast, becoming a real estate agent follows similar steps but in some instances is much easier than being a home inspector!
The advantage of such real estate exams is that you do not have to travel for any field work, eg the mock inspections regular home inspectors in training are forced to perform. Many states actually allow you to get your real estate education online and have it all done in as little as 3 weeks!
The first thing that you need to do if interested in starting a new career is research your state’s requirements. You can also browse courses specially tailored for you, and start your journey.
Verify what your state requires and allows for dual licensure.
As we said, there are some states where dual licensure is prohibited. Check your individual state laws and requirements to see if you can become a real estate agent as well as a home inspector for certain. From there, we have everything you need to get the ball rolling with your real estate licensing education and more!
So, you are now on your ultimate road to the great new career ahead of you — complete with plenty of change and chances. For further insight into what becoming a real estate agent entails, have no fear as our blog will surely provide you with all of the secrets that matter.
