(And Why We Work for You, Not Your Agent)
Buying a home in New Orleans? You’ve got a lot on your plate—mortgages, negotiations, closing timelines. But here’s one decision that’s often overlooked and probably most important: Who should inspect the home you’re buying?
Most real estate agents will hand you a “preferred list” of inspectors. It seems helpful, right?
Don’t fall for it.
This common practice is more about closing the deal than protecting your investment—and it’s a serious conflict of interest.
Realtor-Recommended Inspectors: A Quiet Problem in Real Estate
I estimate that over 95% of buyers in New Orleans are handed a list of inspectors by their Realtors. What they’re rarely told is this:
Many of those inspectors depend on agents to keep business flowing—so they may hesitate to fully disclose issues that could delay or derail a sale.
We’ve seen it time and time again: watered-down reports, missing details, soft language on serious concerns. They call out a crawl space as “inaccessible” so you don’t see the biggest problems. Why? Because inspectors don’t want to be cut off from the agent’s future referrals.
If your inspector needs to keep your Realtor happy, they’re not truly working for you. Here are some websites and books that support my statements: Working RE News Edition , or
“Home Inspection Secrets“.
At Sunshine Home Inspection, We Work for One Person Only: You
We are proud to be the only home inspection company in New Orleans that says this out loud:
“We work for you—not your Realtor.” It’s proudly written on the front page of our website.
We don’t rely on agent referrals, and we don’t market to real estate offices. That means we have no reason to hold back, cut corners, or smooth things over.
We give you the facts—clearly, honestly, and without pressure—so you can make an informed decision about your future home.
Why This Matters So Much in New Orleans
Homes in New Orleans come with unique challenges:
- High humidity and water intrusion
- Termite activity
- Shifting foundations
- Aging electrical and plumbing systems
- Mold and storm damage
These are serious concerns that need thorough, unbiased evaluations. Mold is a big one. It’s a deal killer. But we not only report on it but offer low cost testing to prove it’s in your ducts, or elsewhere, and hold the seller accountable for their own mold remediation.
If your inspector misses—or downplays—these issues, you could face tens of thousands in surprise repairs after you move in.
The Better Way: Choose Your Inspector First
Here’s an idea that goes against the grain, but works:
Find your home inspector before you choose your Realtor.
Why? Because an independent inspector sees how agents behave behind the scenes. We can recommend agents who act with integrity, put your interests first, and don’t try to sweep problems under the rug.
We believe homebuyers deserve a team that’s actually working for them. Start your team with someone you can trust to be honest from day one.
Signs of a Truly Independent Home Inspector
How do you know if your inspector is really on your side? Look for these signs:
✅ They don’t depend on Realtors for referrals
✅ They’re open about working for buyers, not the industry
✅ They deliver detailed, easy-to-read reports with no sugarcoating
✅ They invite you to attend the inspection and ask questions
✅ They have a strong reputation based on client satisfaction—not agent convenience
That’s the standard we hold ourselves to at Sunshine Home Inspection.
Final Thought: You Deserve an Advocate
Your home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. You deserve an inspector who will go the extra mile to uncover the truth about its condition.
Whether we are in Metairie or New Orleans, we’re not here to please agents.
We’re here to protect you—your money, your safety, and your peace of mind.
Book an Independent Home Inspection in New Orleans
Ready to work with an inspector who’s 100% on your side?
📞 Call us at 504-248-8798
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🗓️ Or Book us Online
We serve Greater New Orleans and surrounding parishes.
