| Choosing the wrong Home Inspector can cost | | | | are many companies out there looking to make |
| you a lot more than the fee you paid. If you | | | | a buck off the backs of new home inspectors. |
| choose a home inspector solely on price | | | | Don't fall for the "Certified" or "Master |
| alone, your headed down a dangerous | | | | Certified" home inspector label. Some of |
| highway.I'm still amazed at people who will | | | | these organizations use the word "Certified" |
| spend countless hours, days and months | | | | in their name to try and sound credible. |
| looking for just the right home and then | | | | Buyer beware.If you're looking for an |
| choose a home inspector solely because he was | | | | inspector on new construction, you do want to |
| $50 or $100 than the next guy.Home Inspector | | | | look for a Code "Certified" inspector.Two |
| Schools are turning out record number of new | | | | national home inspector associations that you |
| inspectors. These people come from all walks | | | | can trust are the American Society of Home |
| of life. One week they are the door greeter | | | | Inspectors (ASHI)- and the National |
| at a department store, the next they're a | | | | Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)- has |
| "Certified" home inspector.Before choosing | | | | very strict requirements for membership |
| any inspector there are some things you need | | | | including passing the National Home Inspector |
| to know.Tip #1: Research, research and | | | | Examination. NAHI has similar |
| research some more. Find out as much as you | | | | requirements.Tip #4: You get what you pay |
| can about the inspector you want to hire. | | | | for. Price should be at the bottom of your |
| Call them up and speak with them over the | | | | list of priorities when shopping for an |
| phone. Are they easy to talk to? Are they | | | | inspector. A good, thorough and knowledgeable |
| knowledgeable about homes? Will he/she email | | | | inspector will save you money while a poor |
| you a sample report? Is the report easy to | | | | inspector will cost you many times their fee. |
| read and understand?You may also want to ask | | | | You may need that $100 bucks you saved to try |
| your friends and coworkers for referrals. | | | | and repair that $10,000 roof your inspector |
| However, never take their recommendations | | | | failed to warn you about.Let's take a 2000 |
| blindly. The majority of people have no idea | | | | square foot home. A top of the line inspector |
| if they received a good inspection or not. | | | | who knows what he's doing will cost you |
| They just know they like the inspector and he | | | | approximately $350 to $600 for this size |
| pointed some things out. Research, research, | | | | home, depending on a few variables. You have |
| research!Tip #2: Never hire an Inspector | | | | to ask yourself, if the inspector I choose |
| solely on the recommendation of your Real | | | | charges less, why? What will be missed or |
| Estate Agent. While you may think that your | | | | left out of the inspection?On the other hand, |
| agent hung the moon, they could be pushing | | | | a good inspector will find things others will |
| you to use a "wink and nod" inspector, or as | | | | miss. You may want to go back to the Seller |
| we in the business call them, "Drive by | | | | and renegotiate the price of the home. I've |
| Inspectors." They grab your check as the | | | | seen Sellers drop their price $30,000 because |
| drive by the home their suppose to be | | | | of the items we found wrong with homes. I've |
| inspecting. These types of inspectors "don't | | | | also saved my Clients countless thousands of |
| rock the boat" or are not "deal | | | | dollars by brining major defects to their |
| killers".These inspectors get their business | | | | attention before they signed on the dotted |
| from agents who control them. The agent knows | | | | line.Tip #5: Check with you state to see if |
| the inspector will see to it that the | | | | they require home inspectors to be licensed. |
| inspection doesn't derail the transaction. | | | | More and more states are requiring home |
| Even if your agent recommends 2,3 or more | | | | inspectors to be licensed. Even in these |
| inspectors, it's wiser to avoid the conflict | | | | states, there are some inspectors who can't |
| of interest and find an inspector who works | | | | meet the standards and will be performing |
| for you and you only.Tip #3: Why the word | | | | illegal inspections. Check them out before |
| "Certified" may not be a good thing. Listen | | | | hiring them.Choosing the right Home Inspector |
| up. You can become a "Certified" home | | | | is a very important process when buying a |
| inspector by sending a hundred dollars or so | | | | home. Don't leave it to chance. Do your |
| to one of many home inspection associations. | | | | homework and you'll be money ahead.This |
| No experience required. Just send them the | | | | article may be freely distributed as long as |
| money and they send you a "Certified" | | | | this sig/resource box is left intact with the |
| certificate.Sure, it's good that your | | | | article.Donald Lawson is a Professional Real |
| inspector should belong to some state and | | | | Estate Inspector licensed in Oklahoma (#454) |
| national home inspector associations. Most | | | | and Texas (#5824). He currently owns and |
| professionals in any business belong to | | | | operates V.I.P. Home Inspections, a multi |
| industry associations in their field. Home | | | | inspector firm in Houston Texas. |
| inspectors are no different. However, there | | | | |