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