I’m Not Going to Soften a Report for You
And you wouldn’t want me to — the deal I save today is the lawsuit you get in eighteen months. What I will do is write findings that are accurate, calm, and specific enough that your client can act on them instead of panicking about them. That’s the difference that actually keeps transactions together.
What should a real estate agent expect from a home inspector?
Accurate findings, delivered fast enough to work inside a Texas option period, and written in language a client can understand without a phone call at 9 PM. I'm Jeff Stalnaker, TREC #26322-PI. I inspect every home myself across East Texas, reports go out within 12 hours, and I'll get on the phone with your client to walk them through anything in it. I don't inflate findings to look thorough and I don't bury them to be agreeable. Two agents with 25 and 39 years in the business have left reviews on this site — that's the reference I'd point you to.
- Report turnaround
- Within 12 hours
- Scheduling
- Same-week is normal
- Who inspects
- Me, every time
- Client questions
- I take the call
What You’re Actually Buying When You Refer Me
A report your client can read
Findings are prioritised, photographed and written in plain language. Safety items, expensive items and normal upkeep are separated, so a first-time buyer doesn’t treat a missing outlet cover like a foundation problem. Most of the panic calls you field come from reports that don’t do that.
A phone call I take, not you
When your client has questions about my report, they should be asking me. Send them my way. I’d rather spend twenty minutes on the phone than have somebody make a six-figure decision on a misreading.
A timeline that respects the option period
Within 12 hours, usually the same evening. I know exactly what that clock does to a transaction, and I don’t sit on reports.
No theatre
I’m not going to describe a hairline shrinkage crack in a way that sends your client to an engineer for no reason. East Texas clay moves. Nearly every house here shows some of it. Telling your client which movement matters is the job.
What I Won’t Do
Worth saying plainly, since it’s the reason some agents refer me and the reason others don’t.
- I won’t leave something out of a report because it’s inconvenient.
- I won’t tell your client a house is “a good buy” or “a bad buy.” That’s not my call, it’s theirs — and I’ll say so if they ask me.
- I won’t dress up a minor finding to make the inspection look worth the money. The report is as long as the house made it.
DealGuard, and Why It Helps You
When the seller’s repairs are done, somebody should check. I go back out, verify each item on the amendment, photograph the work and send a same-day report you can hand to the lender and the title company — instead of a hand-written receipt and everyone’s good intentions.
Fewer disputes landing back on your desk three weeks after funding. Three tiers from $100.
Things you can forward to a client
Who Do You Call When It Isn’t an Inspection?
Your client needs a roofer on Thursday. Or a foundation engineer, or a plumber who answers. Most of us end up recommending somebody off a search result and hoping. That is the problem we set out to fix.
A vendor in every trade — one you’ve actually met
We’re building the chapter one category at a time: roofing, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and on down the list. One vetted vendor per trade, in the room, at the events, where you can take their measure before you ever need them.
So when a client calls at 4 PM needing somebody Thursday, you already know the name and the person behind it.
Coaching from someone who has done the job
The chapter is led by Kevin Harris — a Fort Worth broker and team leader, and author of THE Power of THE. Monthly business and marketing training, and workshops on building a referral base that doesn’t depend on the market.
Cardinal sponsors it. Joining costs you nothing.
CE classes and office visits
Cardinal is two of us. I run it and do every inspection; Lisa co-owns it and helps on the business side. We both teach continuing education classes, though Lisa has taught every one so far.
You pay for CE the same as you always have. The difference is being taught by somebody who was in a crawl space that morning.
What Agents Have Said
From agents with 39 and 25 years in the business. Verbatim, from Google, nothing edited.
JEFF at CARDINAL HOME INSPECTIONS has been an excellent inspector for my clients, and for me. Jeff is tremendously helpful with great advice and upkeep tips on keeping properties in tip top shape. I've been in real estate 39 years, and Jeff is an asset, always quick to respond and always does an impeccable job on inspections.
I have been in real estate for over 25 years, and Cardinal is the best I've seen in the business!! They stand behind their services 100%.
Put Me on Your List
Call or text (903) 808-3898. If you’ve got a client up against an option deadline, say so when you call and I’ll tell you straight away whether I can make it work.
📅 Book Your Inspection 📞 (903) 808-3898