[MRM]

Keep insisting that your clients get inspections, and keep insisting that they use someone good. If they buy a bad house, they'll blame you and your reputation takes a hit. You won't get a referral out of them and they'll never come back to you when they need a house in the future. If they don't buy that house because it didn't pass inspection, they'll be loyal to you because you proved that you watch out for them. They will buy from you when they do find the right house, they'll use you five years from now when they get transferred or move to a bigger house, or retire and downsize. And they'll refer people to you in the mean time. Keep doing what you have been doing and you'll be suprised how quickly your business grows and how your reputations preceeds you.

I never understood the short term gain mentality of some professions. Lawyers, real estate agents, and car salesmen have that sort of reputation. But if you notice, the good ones always give you the advice that is best for you, so that your situation turns out the best it can and they are judged by the success of your whole endeavor, not the quick bucks that will soon be forgotten.

You can tell a good salesman by what he tries to sell you. If you come in, describe what you want, and the salesman tries to squeeze you into something he has ready in stock right there, he's the bad type. But if he takes inventory of your needs, works with your budget and says let's look around until we see something that fits, you are working with the right kind.