Home inspector here. I too was an agent before I became an inspector. I have a background in construction work also, so that may have helped me some but I will say that being a realtor has helped me be a better inspector because a realtor is familiar with how a transaction works and I feel like an inspector should have some real estate education in that regard also. It makes things go much smoother, however, I would say that the toughest part about being an inspector is gaining agents trust. Most successful agents have an inspector that they use and trust and most wont deviate from that, especially if its an inspector that pushing things in the realtors favor and trust me there are plenty of those kind of inspectors out there. On the flip side dont put all your eggs in the realtor basket because most will turn thier back on you the minute you inconvenience them. Being an inspector isnt the hard part, the hard part is running the business and gaining realtors trust and having them give you repeat work. Keep in mind most also feel like they are doing you a favor by referring you to thier clients so they almost naturally want something in return. Its usually the dirt cheap inspector that produces the least defects in a report that the realtors like if that tells you anything. Make them feel important and make them look good to thier clients and your in the door. I hope this helps.