The Inspection Insider
The Inspection Recap!
You know that moment when the agent asks, âSo⌠how bad is it?â and everyoneâs standing there waiting for a clean, calm summary.
The problem is: your full report isnât ready yet (and even when it is, nobody forwards a 47-page PDF).
You still need to go through all of your findings with the client but then summarize with a tiny 2-minute recap that makes the agent look like a heroâand keeps your name attached to the next referral.
Letâs get started!
⊠What to do
Create a quick âClient Recapâ you can hand (or text) to the agent right after the walkthroughâ3 lines that are easy to forward.
Step 1
Before you start, ask: âWant a quick 3-line recap you can forward?â
(Agent says yes 100% of the time because it makes them look organized.)
Step 2
Write the recap in this format (takes 2 minutes):
Biggest Concern (1 item):
Top 2â3 Priorities (bullets):
Simple Next Step (one sentence):
Step 3
Deliver it like this:
Text message to the agent (easy to forward), and/or
Screenshot on-site (agent snaps it and sends it)
đťHow to do it
Text framework:
Line 1: Context
âQuick recap from todayâs inspection (high-level, not the full report):â
Line 2: Value
âMain takeaway: ___ (one clear sentence).â
Line 3: Easy next step
âNext step: ___ (who should look at it + what to do first).â
Email framework:
Subject formula
âQuick Inspection Recap: [Address] â 3 prioritiesâ
3-line body structure
One-sentence overall takeaway
2â3 priority bullets
Next step + âFull report followsâ
đ˛Why this works
âIt Makes the Agent Look Goodâ
Reason #1 â Itâs forwardable.
Agents donât forward reports. They forward short summaries. When your recap gets forwarded, your name gets forwarded too.
Reason #2 â It reduces panic.
A calm, clear recap keeps the buyer from spiraling and keeps the agent from âinterpretingâ the inspection on the fly.
đDo This Today
Build Your âClient Recapâ Template
Open your phone Notes app (or create a text snippet).
Save this 3-line template:
Quick Recap (Address):
Biggest Concern: ____
Top Priorities (2â3): ____ / ____ / ____
Next Step: ____
(High-level recap onlyâfull report to follow.)
On your next inspection, send it to the agent before you leave the driveway.
If you want it even tighter for texting, make it: Concern / Priorities / Next Step (done).
đ ď¸Pro Tip
Add this one line at the end:
âHigh-level recap onlyâfull report will include photos/details + recommendations.â
It keeps everyone in the right lane (and protects you from the recap becoming âthe reportâ).
đ Bookmark This:
InterNACHI Standards of Practice (SOP)
A quick reference for whatâs in/out of scope and how to word things consistently in your reports. https://www.nachi.org/sop.htm
âď¸ COMING NEXT WEEK
Next weekâs play: The â1 Photo + 1 Lineâ Follow-Up That Makes Agents Remember You
One tiny follow-up that feels personalâand quietly triggers introductions.
Ron Henderson, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
Questions? Comments? Drop me a line at: [email protected]
P.S. If youâre a Realtor Check out The Grind Works đđź
Disclaimer: The content in The Inspection Insider is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, professional, engineering, or safety advice, and it is not a substitute for professional judgment. Inspection practices, requirements, and standards vary by location and associationâalways follow your local laws/regulations, standards of practice, and manufacturer documentation. Any examples, scripts, or suggestions should be adapted to your business and used at your discretion.
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