Is Choosing a Realtor Recommended Home Inspector a Good Move?

The Truth About Real Estate Agent Referrals and Your Home Inspection

When you find the perfect house, the process moves fast. Often, your real estate agent will hand you a business card and suggest you use their preferred Realtor Recommended Home Inspector. To many buyers, this feels like a helpful shortcut. But should you blindly follow that advice? The answer is: Maybe—but only after doing your own due diligence.

Why You Should Screen a Realtor Recommended Home Inspector

While many realtors truly want the best for their clients, the home inspection is the critical discovery phase of a real estate transaction. This is the moment where the ‘honeymoon phase’ meets reality. This can create a natural tension, and you need an inspector who is comfortable providing an honest, professional assessment—even when the findings require a difficult conversation. You need an inspector who works exclusively for you, not one who is focused on making sure the transaction closes smoothly for the sake of a commission.

A Realtor Recommended Home Inspector should be interviewed just like any other contractor. You are the one paying the fee, and you are the one who will have to pay for any missed defects after you move in. To understand the ethical guidelines inspectors must follow, you can review the NJ Home Inspection Advisory Board standards.

4 Critical Questions to Ask Your Inspector

Before you hire any Realtor Recommended Home Inspector, give them a quick call. Their answers will tell you if they are a “high-detail” professional or someone who does the bare minimum. Here is what we recommend asking:

• “How do you inspect roofs?”The Right Answer: “We do our best to physically get on the roof. If it is too steep or wet, we are FAA Drone Certified to get high-resolution aerial views.”
• “How do you handle attics and crawlspaces?”The Right Answer: “We enter every accessible area of the attic and crawlspace. We don’t just peek from the hatch; we go in to find the hidden leaks and structural issues.”
• “Do you use thermal imaging cameras?”The Right Answer: “Yes. We use Thermal Imaging as a standard part of our process to find missing insulation and moisture behind walls that the naked eye can’t see.”
• “Do you inspect appliances like refrigerators and washers?”The Right Answer: “Yes. We test the functional cycles of microwaves, refrigerators, washers, and dryers to ensure they are move-in ready.”

For a full list of deep-dive questions, check out our dedicated guide: Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Home Inspector.

Going beyond the surface: Our inspectors use advanced thermal cameras to uncover hidden moisture, missing insulation, and electrical hot spots.

Spotting Unethical Realtor/Inspector Relationships

It is an unfortunate reality in this industry that some “light” reports are written to keep realtors happy. If an inspector relies solely on a single real estate office for their leads, there may be an unspoken pressure to prioritize a smooth transaction over a high-detail report. You want an inspector whose primary goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of the home’s condition, ensuring you have all the facts before moving forward.

In the worst cases, unethical relationships can involve kickbacks or referral fees, which are strictly illegal under the NAR Code of Ethics. A transparent realtor should always provide you with 3 to 4 different inspection companies. This avoids a conflict of interest and allows you to choose the professional who best fits your needs.

Using Google Reviews to Verify Your Inspector

The most honest look at a Realtor Recommended Home Inspector is found in their public feedback. When reviewing Google Reviews, look for the following:

• Detailed Narrative: Are clients writing paragraphs about the specific defects the inspector found? This shows the inspector is thorough.
• Short vs. Long: If you see dozens of “5-star” reviews with no text or just “Great job,” they may be forced or superficial.
• Consistency: Look for mentions of “detailed reports” and “saved us money on repairs.”

At Craftsman, we take pride in our 5-Star Google Reviews because they reflect our commitment to the buyer, not the transaction.

Transparency you can trust: Our reports are detailed, easy to read, and include high-resolution photos of every finding.

Conclusion: Trust But Verify Your Home Inspector

Your realtor is a valuable partner in your home search, but you are the final decision-maker. If you are considering a Realtor Recommended Home Inspector, do your homework. Interview them, check their samples, and verify their reviews.

Whether you are buying an old home in Bergen County or a new construction in Morris County, you deserve an advocate who isn’t afraid to find the tough stuff. Don’t let the rush of a closing date blur your vision—hire an inspector who works for you.

Need a second opinion or a truly independent evaluation? Call Craftsman Home Inspection Services at (201) 888-4630 or Book Your Inspection Online