If you’re a real estate agent, one of the most important relationships you can build is with a trustworthy home inspector. The right inspector can make your job easier, your clients happier, and your transactions smoother. The wrong one can do the opposite — leaving clients confused, alarmed, or uncertain about what to do next.
As someone who works closely with agents across Memphis and West Tennessee, I know how important that partnership is. So here’s my honest advice, from an inspector’s perspective, on what to look for when you’re choosing who to recommend to your clients.
1. Look for Training, Certification, and Real Credentials
In Tennessee, home inspectors must be licensed — but the best ones go far beyond that.
When you’re vetting inspectors, check for national certifications such as:
- InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
- CCPIA Certified Commercial Property Inspector
- Membership in organizations like the Home Inspectors of Tennessee Association (HITA)
These designations mean the inspector has completed rigorous training, continuing education, and follows a professional code of ethics.
At Upchurch Inspection, I hold multiple certifications and continue to invest in advanced education — because I want my clients and my referring agents to know they’re working with someone at the top of the field.
2. Evaluate Their Communication Skills
A technically skilled inspector who can’t communicate clearly isn’t helping anyone. Your clients need someone who can explain what they find in plain language, not just technical jargon.
Ask questions like:
- How do you structure your reports?
- Do you provide photos and recommendations?
- How quickly will clients receive their report?
At my company, reports are visual, organized, and delivered the same day. I also make myself available for follow-up calls so agents never have to translate technical terms for their clients.
Good inspectors make agents look good by helping clients understand, not panic.
3. Pay Attention to Professionalism
You can tell a lot about an inspector by how they handle scheduling, communication, and presentation.
Do they show up on time?
Are they respectful of sellers’ homes?
Do they keep agents informed about their progress and findings?
Professionalism isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about reliability. I treat every inspection as a reflection of my business and the agent who referred me.
4. Choose Someone Who Understands the Agent’s Role
Great inspectors know how to be objective without being alarmist. They understand that an inspection report isn’t the end of a deal — it’s a negotiation tool and a decision-making resource.
That balance is something I take seriously. My job is to present the facts clearly and calmly, so agents can guide their clients with confidence. I don’t sugarcoat, but I also don’t dramatize. I focus on clarity, accuracy, and respect.
5. Look for Accessibility and Follow-Through
Even after the report is delivered, a good inspector remains available. Buyers and agents often have questions a day or two later — and having an inspector who’s easy to reach can save a lot of stress.
I always make myself available for quick follow-ups. Sometimes it’s a simple question about what type of contractor to call; other times it’s walking a client through the difference between a safety concern and a maintenance item. Either way, communication doesn’t end when the report is sent.
6. Find an Inspector Who Enhances Your Reputation
When you refer a professional, that person becomes an extension of your own brand. That’s why you should choose an inspector who adds value to your business — not just someone who checks boxes.
Agents who partner with Upchurch Inspection know that their clients will receive top-quality service, clear communication, and honest guidance every time. It builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and makes everyone’s job easier.
📞 Partner with Upchurch Inspection
Serving Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Jackson, and surrounding communities, Upchurch Inspection provides certified home and commercial inspections, mold and radon testing, water quality analysis, and sewer scope inspections.
📞 Call (901) 350-8885 or visit UpchurchInspection.com to learn how to become a preferred real estate partner.
