You are just considering an offer— or you've already closed? If you own the house, asking your neighbors seems like a good way to introduce yourself and get some good info about area pool companies or a lead on an honest inspector. Don't know what to say about asking your RE agent... obviously, he/she would know how to help you but sometimes their advice is self-serving or they're just returning a favor. I guess that's a problem with anyone you ask. Competence and honesty are difficult to gauge.

We humans are complicated.