ZipRealty to Certify 'Preowned' Homes

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The first paragraph in this article refers to ZipRealty as a discount brokerage. As a point in fact, ZipRealty is not a discount brokerage. It is a full service brokerage offering the same services any other traditional brokerage offers. A discount brokerage is typically a company that offers limited services for a significantly discounted price. While it is true that Zip has extremely competitive pricing terms for its services such as its "Zip Rebate", it does not provide its clients with limited service.

David DuPree of TX 2:16AM July 16, 2009

A typical home inspection only is good for a year. I bought my condo a 1.5 yrs ago and sure enough this winter my pipes are freezing, the walls are cracking, the bathroom heater doesn't work, and the shower sealing is all coming out causing water to get into the walls and the paint to peel up.
Even the most shoddy construction can usually make it though a year; while an independent home inspection is still a good idea, s certified pre-owned multi-year warranty would definitely be worth at least an extra grand at closing.

Jason Fuller of MA 8:17PM January 31, 2009

You state "I personally like the notion of a big company standing behind the inspection and the warranty." I read the article to say the inspector and warranty company stand behind it, not the broker. I would like to see that clarified. Does the broker stand behind the inspection and if yes what is the limit of liability?
The inspector and warranty company make about $500 to $1,000 for the service and the broker makes 6%. On a $500,000 dollar home the brokers get $30,000 and the inspector / warranty company $500 - $1000. I think the brokers could stand behind the program easily; they make more money on the transaction that the other parties. Property condition guaranteed by the broker commission is a great idea. You can bet the brokers would hire the very best inspectors to do the job and the public would love it. It will sell homes.
On the other hand if this is not the case I will consider offering a bumper to bumper guaranty that I inspect on certain homes for 6% of the sales price. Heck, might even do it for 4% and partner with a broker to handle the sales side.

john cahill of TX 11:59AM August 09, 2008

To Mr. Blackburn,
How do you know that the inspectors who are doing the inspections for the certification program are not as qualified as you? Instead of dissing the program, you might want to find out how you can go work for the company and get in on the inspections.

Jenn of AZ 10:17AM June 03, 2008

My company, Abbott & Caserta Realtors, launced a Certified Home program in January of 2008 --- see the link to my blog on Active RAIN in April ---
http://activerain.com/blogsview/483109/WANT-TO-SELL-HOMES
and my first blog about the subject was in February... see my entire blog at
http://activerain.com/blogs/agent007.
Much more than a warrantee --- Abbott & Caserta's CERTIFIED HOME, is a full blown marketing program. Like luxury car dealers the pre-owned CERTIFIED HOME concept offers an all point home INSPECTION ( by a licensed independant contractor ) including radon/pest, fixes any/all issues, supplies title work, offers financing details, cleans/stages & offers the one year warantee --- when all points are checked off --- the home can be awarded the CERTIFIED HOME logo. The logo and term are used in newspaper & magazine ads, signage, marketing materials, etc. all showing the point of difference .
Now buyers can, are encouraged to and do --- have the option to do their own inspections or other work but .... when evaluating many homes on the market that may appear equal --- the certified home program gives the potential buyer "peace of mind" and a full report about their potential purchase.
The Abbott & Caserta campaign was kicked off in January of '08 and I blogged about it on Active Rain in early Feb and again in April. So, it seems to be the first in New Jersey to offer such a program...
For more information call 201.447.6600 and ask for Robert Abbott .

Pamela Stetson of NJ 8:51AM May 20, 2008

I personally like the notion of a big company standing behind the inspection and the warranty. So many home inspectors are 1 or 2 man shops and typically you have little recourse against those people - who wants to sue an inspector because they missed something? I think the public will embrace it and other large companies will follow suit with partnerships or joint ventures.

Marc Diaz of TN 11:44AM May 19, 2008

Very bad concept. As a highly respected, long time ASHI Certified Inspector, I would warn the public against such an inspection strategy. Exactly who are these "Certified" Inspectors anyway? Certified is the most abused word in my industry, and I can tell you it does not equate to competence when issued by some organizations. I invite everyone to review the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, as well as the actual contract of any E/O insured inspector. All parties would be far better served by a fully independent inspector who steers clear of "passing" or "failing" a home- as well as any inspector who offers a "warranty" on the home. It seems folks will try anything these days to sell their services or move houses, including offering in-house home inspection companies etc., a disturbing, suspicious trend. My advice to the public? Avoid the temptations, games, and the smoke and mirror shows. Instead, hire the finest TOTALLY INDEPENDENT inspector you can find (after you personally check them out), who also happens to be either ASHI Certified, or NAHI CRI Certified. And if it makes you feel better, purchase a separate home warranty. Attend your inspection personally, and if you are told you can't, find another inspector or Realtor.

Wayne Blackburn of HI 8:31PM May 15, 2008