In the course of revolving in the world of professional real estate practitioners, there are certain words that are so frequently mispronounced or improperly defined that they have become shibboleths of the industry. (A "shibboleth" is a word that insiders understand and that gives away the "outsider status" of the person misusing or mispronouncing the word.)

Realtor is one of these words that most uninformed outsiders pronounce "real-lat'-or" -- while professionals know that it is pronounced "Real'-tor." In addition, professionals write the word properly as "Realtor®," while outsiders fail to capitalize the word and never include the "®" indicating that it is a registered trademark.

"Price" is a shibboleth. Professionals have "fees" for their services while outsiders quote a "price" or give a "bid" for their work. Those who quote prices disclose their non-professional status by their method of doing business.

A certain indicator of outsider status is use of the word "pitch." True professionals make "presentations" about their services, while "pitch" is something that might ruin your suit if you get it on your clothing while visiting a newly framed construction site -- aka: Tree "sap" -- which might also define the person using the term "pitch" in the presence of true professionals.

"Cost" is another word used by saps. If you think about it, no one really wants to know what the "cost" of fixing up the house might be. But most people will entertain considering the "investment" needed to make the needed repairs.

"Defect" is a shibboleth of professionalism in the real estate industry, and two tangentially related professions:

• "Defect" to a Realtor® may be a "legal" concern, but is usually referred to as an "issue." Use of the word "defect" means the party using it is an enemy to the pending sale (Something you readily recognize if you revolve in the world of real estate professionals).

• "Defect" to an attorney is the legal definition of a condition about a property that would be "material" to a buyer's decision to purchase.

  A Material Fact is one that would be important to a reasonable person in deciding whether to engage or not to engage in a particular transaction; an important fact as distinguished from some unimportant or trivial detail.

  Source: The 'LECTRIC LAW LIBRARY^™

• "Defect" is a word used by a home inspector only at the peril of being identified as an outsider to the transaction. I can't tell you the number of times that I have had agents tell me that they "hate home inspectors." The reason agents hate them is because the inspector is too often oblivious to the emotions created by the words they elect to use in their reports.

Other shibboleths used by inspectors are:

• Problem
• Unsatisfactory
• Not functional
• Requiring repair

Professional Home Inspectors substitute the word "condition" for all of these words, and then describe the condition in clear, concise language that does not include directives.

"Code Violation" is another shibboleth that is a sure indicator of an inspector's amateur status. This "pass/fail" mentality used by a home inspector reflects the absence of understanding of the world of professionals. A professional will identify "material defects" as "conditions" for the consideration of the home buyer -- NOT tell everyone about the "code violations" and how to fix them.¹

Just as surely as they were wearing a sign, the "professional" Home Inspector is identified by agents through these shibboleths, while those who misuse or mispronounce words are recognized as amateurs to be avoided.

¹ Source: Uniform Home Inspector's Code Book^™ and Practical Reporting^™

Published: December 1, 2004

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Bill Ball is a skilled and inspirational instructor, author, columnist, and call-in talk-radio host. Bill has over 35 years experience in all phases of construction and real estate with experience in the construction of more than 1,800 custom homes including architectural design, construction, financing, marketing, and inspection. For the last 15 years he has focused on the field and is proud to call himself a Home Inspector. Bill is publisher of the UNIFORM HOME INSPECTOR’S CODE BOOKTM. Contact him at - AskBillBall@aol.com