🏡 Not all home inspectors are equal — and your agent’s recommendation might be doing more work than you think. Ariel and Adrian unpack a viral home inspector TikTok that sparked a real conversation about agent steering, referral fees, and what actually makes a home inspection worth the $750 you’re spending.
⚠️ If you’ve ever wondered whether to skip the inspection or bring a contractor friend instead, this episode will change how you think about it.
✅ Why agents recommend (or steer away from) specific inspectors
✅ Communication skills vs. technical skills: why both matter
✅ When skipping a home inspection might make sense — and the real risk
✅ Why your contractor buddy is NOT a home inspector
✅ What happens when appliances fail before closing
✅ New home inspections: why brand-new builds often have more issues than resale
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0:00 – Intro
1:03 – The TikTok that started it all: agent steering clients away from inspectors
3:10 – Why agents recommend certain inspectors (and why communication matters as much as skill)
5:57 – Real story: a small garage door issue that almost killed a deal
8:30 – Should you always get a home inspection? Risk tolerance explained
9:39 – What buyers miss without a proper inspection (attics, panels, outlets)
11:08 – When appliances fail before closing: what’s negotiable
14:41 – New home inspections: more deficiencies than a resale?
17:14 – Shady inspectors, referral fees, and what actually gets disclosed
18:33 – Should you use your contractor friend instead of an inspector? Hard no.
22:07 – Why you need a written report to negotiate effectively
26:18 – Outro
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In 2011, Ariel Kormendy and Adrian Trott formed The Kormendy Trott Team, now often referred to as KT (thanks to our logo!). The foundation of KT is built on providing unmatched value and attention to detail in everything we do. From our ever-expanding, comprehensive list of exclusive services to our expertly trained team, you will receive the highest level of care throughout your entire real estate journey.
Originally a team of two in Milton, Ontario, the KT Team has grown into a large team of exceptional REALTORS®, a client-care department, and now includes KT Media, KT Commercial, and our sister company, Renti, allowing us to provide our clients with a complete lineup of genuine, professional, and proven services across Halton Region, Peel Region and the surrounding Regions within the Greater Toronto Area.
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