| Congratulations! You've decided to purchase a home. | | | | Does your inspector have experience in homes |
| We all know that when purchasing a home, every | | | | similar to the home you are having inspected?All |
| detail is an important one. And choosing a home | | | | homes have some systems and features in common, |
| inspector is no exception. It's critical to choose an | | | | but a brand new home has risks and issues that |
| inspector the same way you've chosen a real estate | | | | differ from an historic beauty from the year 1855. |
| professional - very carefully! You'll get a great | | | | Only someone who has walked the walk and crawled |
| educational experience when you hire a professional | | | | the crawl numerous times in similar homes can sleuth |
| with the right credentials.Working with a home | | | | out those important items that are specific to your |
| inspector isn't complicated; however, unless armed | | | | age, size, and type of home. |
| with the right questions to ask, you may get stuck | | | | Will your inspector walk on the roof, crawl in the |
| with a less than capable individual. Here are my top 8 | | | | crawlspace, go into the basement, and climb into the |
| questions to ask your next home inspector:Does the | | | | attic space (if any of these are applicable)?Your |
| inspector come from a construction background?It's | | | | inspector should be capable of going and willing to go |
| great that your inspector is a nice person, but what | | | | into those places where others fear to tread! These |
| did they do before inspecting homes? Do they bring | | | | are the places that must be seen to best protect |
| a wealth of knowledge about the construction | | | | the customer. There a times when those locations |
| trades, building, or remodeling? Or were they a | | | | cannot be completely inspected due to physical risk |
| hairdresser in a previous life? Don't get me wrong, | | | | to the inspector, risk to the equipment, or seasonal |
| I'm not picking on hairdressers - but that occupation | | | | limitations. But for the inspector to not inspect those |
| certainly doesn't have anything to do with inspecting | | | | locations because he doesn't want to, is scared of |
| a house! | | | | the dark, or is too ample to fit into those spaces is |
| Does the inspector hold the appropriate license and | | | | unacceptable. |
| meet all requirements for home inspectors in your | | | | Does the completed report include |
| area or state, and where can you go to verify this | | | | photographs?Often, the report will contain |
| license? This question may not be applicable in all | | | | descriptions of damage or defect in locations of the |
| states - there are states without licensing | | | | home that only the inspector was able to access, like |
| requirements for home inspectors. But if your state | | | | roof-tops or crawl spaces. You will want pictures of |
| has some kind of requirements, you need to know | | | | these areas to make your understanding of the |
| what they are, and where you can go to verify that | | | | scope and location of the damage clear. It also |
| your chosen inspector has done what it takes to be | | | | makes repairs simpler to get estimated when a |
| state-compliant. Verification is essential, because | | | | photograph is available. |
| many states have the capability to track continuing | | | | When will the completed report be delivered, and |
| education of the inspector as well as complaints. | | | | can it be emailed?Often the buying decision is time |
| Is the inspector a member of the American Society | | | | critical, you want to be sure you will receive your |
| of Home Inspectors (ASHI)?This is critical! ASHI is the | | | | completed report in time to read, review, and |
| oldest, largest, and most respected organization for | | | | respond. The best companies can deliver the report |
| home inspectors in the country. They also maintain | | | | to you on-site, right at the home, just as the |
| the highest standards and ethics for home inspectors. | | | | inspection is completed.Finally, be sure to attend the |
| If your inspector is a member of this organization, | | | | home inspection. There is no substitute for the |
| you can be sure that they have passed The National | | | | complete inspection experience; the report generated |
| Home Inspectors Exam, and they have completed all | | | | is only a small piece of the inspection. When you |
| training and administrative requirements for | | | | attend the inspection, see the process, ask |
| membership. You can even verify membership status | | | | questions, and become educated about your home, |
| at The inspector may be a member of other | | | | you'll gain great comfort and confidence in your |
| organizations, but none have requirements as strict | | | | buying decision. Good luck, and happy home |
| as ASHI. And don't be fooled by those companies | | | | buying!Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro |
| who claim to inspect to "ASHI standards" - if they | | | | Inspections, and has recently written a book entitled |
| aren't a bonifide ASHI member, find another | | | | "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at |
| inspector. | | | | or Wally's expertise and experience has been sought |
| How long has the inspector been in the inspection | | | | after by HGTV's "House Detective", the Florida |
| business, and how many inspections has he | | | | Times Union, and many real estate boards and |
| performed during this time?Longevity gives comfort | | | | associations. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and |
| that the inspector will be with you in the future as | | | | host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show |
| new needs and issues arise. But if he's only done 12 | | | | every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends |
| inspections during his several years in business, that's | | | | the right amount of up-to-date information with just |
| not good! Your home buying decision is far too | | | | the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and |
| important to be a practice place for a part-time | | | | real-world application. Visit for more information! |
| inspector. | | | | |