Seattle Real Estate: Recommending a Home Inspector

Effective January 31st, 2009:

WAC 308-124C-050 Home inspector referrals.

"Each licensed designated broker will establish a written office policy that includes a procedure for referring home inspectors to buyers or sellers. The policy will address the consumer's right to freely pick a home inspector of the buyer's or seller's choice and prevent any collusion between the home inspector and a real estate licensee.

If a licensee refers a home inspector to a buyer or seller with whom they have or have had a relationship including, but not limited to, a business or familial relationship, then full disclosure of the relations must be provided in writing prior to the buyer or seller using the services of the home inspector."

This won't change any of my business practices except that I have to put a policy in writing as of today, but I have to wonder what went wrong to necessitate what to me seems like common sense. It is scary to think that collusion could happen between two people that should be your strongest allies in such a monumental transaction.

Courtney Cooper, Designated Broker, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services, Seattle real estate