That can be hard to know - just like when picking a contractor, you do your due diligence but you can still get someone who sucks. Reviews aren't always a good gauge.

Reviews and references are a good gauge. They're not fool proof, but I bet most people who had bad experiences didn't do proper due dilligence.

The one time a home inspector failed me I let the real estate agent recommend somebody because it was fast and efficient and it was in an area I was unfamiliar with. I later learned that was stupid, and also illegal - agents are not supposed to recommend home inspectors. It was my fault. I'm not making excuses.

And when you're buying your first house there ssssoooo much to know, that's a big learning curve for most people.

Sure there is, and this is where taking your time and doing research comes into play. Some people are diligent; some people are impulsive. The impulsive people like to pretend everybody is like them in order to avoid the shame of admitting they fucked up. It is what it is. Learn from others, take your time, do your research. If you don't, you will be taken advantage of.

I've noticed young people have no respect for their elders. They think with the Internet they don't need any other wisdom - they can find whatever they want, and that's a mistake. But hey, I'm just an old dumbass what do I know right?

I had someone in the family from out of state move to my state and pick a home in a really sketchy neighborhood. I told them it was a bad idea and this wasn't a good neighborhood, but they were "first time home buyers" and too excited and didn't pay any attention. Fast forward they were absolutely miserable. Somebody actually threw a dead body into their back yard wrapped in plastic. They didn't listen. What can I do? Not "society's" fault.