You're a REALTOR®, Not a Home Inspector

10 Jul 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:00

In this YouTube monologue, Leigh Thomas Brown explains how Article 11 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires agents to be knowledgeable and competent only in their own fields of practice. He warns REALTORS® against making definitive statements about home inspection findings, emphasizing that they are not licensed home inspectors. Instead, agents should defer to qualified home inspectors or general contractors for inspection judgments, and if they lack expertise they must disclose that limitation and seek assistance. The speaker stresses the importance of proper disclosure, reliance on qualified professionals, and staying within the ethical boundaries of real‑estate practice.

Chapters

All right, so Article 11. All right, you should not make so many declarations in life, my friends. Instead of telling— oh, that repair doesn't look like a big deal— that's probably not something to proclaim, because the Code of Ethics tells us in Article 11 that you should be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which you ordinarily engage. Are any of y'all licensed home inspectors? Didn't think so. So stop telling people what is and is not a problem on the inspection report. Who should tell them what is and is not a problem? The home inspector, or maybe a GC who's coming in to help you give some guidance and quotes. But you're a REALTOR®, you get to say what? Golly gee willikers, I'm the REALTOR®! I don't have an inspector's license and frankly don't want one. So This— that's one of the fields included. I had to get that off my chest. Obtain assistance or disclose your lack of experience if necessary.