the quality of the report so there are no surprises after closing.....I don't care if he has NO personality.... expensive.... and tough to schedule....we'll work with it....

Very thorough and have a good 'bedside manner'. He points out all potential 'defect' andproblem points without being an alarmist. If an issue is serious he is sure to make that point however he is also quicj=k to mention that not every item he notes is something that needs to be addressed. He explains that even new homes will have some 'defects' and that homes that are 'XX' years old are bound to have more but that doesn't mean they shouldn't buy hte home or ask the seller to corect each and every item.

Yes.  All of those.

I have two home inspectors my clients have used successfullly. They are personable, provide very detailed reports with photos usually no more than 24 hours after the inspection, are relatively easy to make appointments with, and are competitively priced.  In addition, they are very thorough and objective. All those are required in my book.

Quick and reliable.

Personable is very important because it is a 3 hour segment of your life you'll never get back, ha ha

As mentioned above, I like an inspector with a calm bedside manner.  One who will teach the buyers about the particulars of their next home and ongoing maintenance for same without frightening them.

Also, I like when they make themselves available after the sale for any questions once they've moved in.

I have recommended and worked with the same owner/operator for a couple of years now.  I have sat thru at least 75 inspections with him, we end up finishing each other sentences at inspections.  I have learned a lot from attending!   I like all the above.  I like that he finds a lot of details I am afraid other inspectors would miss.  He tells me other agents dont like that he is so detailed, asking him not to mention some of what he finds.  That is nuts.  It is data, and I want the buyers (whom I represent) to have as data as they can during the inspection periods.  That is why I keep referring him, plus all the reasons you listed as well.

The inspector I refer and really like is not a saboteur.

That embraces multiple disciplines that includes 'loose lips,' 'avilability,' and 'reporting."

My favorites are booked well in advance but worth the wait.  You get what you pay for.  Good personalities.  I like good clean, easy to understand reports.  

Response time and a thorough job done.

All of these factors may come into play. I prefer the inspectors who will make the inspection an educational experience for the purchasers. Explaining what is normal maintenance and what items need to be taken care of before settlement is very important.

He is on time competes the inspection in a timely manner and his rates are excellent

Speed and reliability.

I want thoroughness...details and profesional feedback and input in a reasonable amount of time priced well. Do that and we have like going

The most important quality I look for is the report.  It's tone and thoroughness.

Honesty about the condition...Not surgar coating it or bashing the issue.

Michael Thornton He does a really good and thorough job.

Michael Thornton you've hit the list entirely. In fact all I can add, is my favorite bullet point: my inspector is who actually introduced Active Rain to me in 2006! It's because of him (for better or for worse) I'm here in The Rain.

Accurate, timely reports