| After you have found the home that seems to be | | | | standards from the inspector and make sure he or |
| the one that you want to purchase, it is time to get | | | | she is properly licensed. |
| a home inspection completed. You can enlist in the | | | | In addition to the state requirements, it is also a |
| services of your Realtor to help you find a great | | | | good idea to select a professional that is a member |
| inspector, but you should not rely entirely upon your | | | | of one of two different professional standards |
| Realtor to tell you which inspector you should use. | | | | organizations: the American Society of Home |
| After all, the home you will be purchasing will be your | | | | Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of |
| property and, if you choose a poor real estate agent, | | | | Home Inspectors (NAHI). Both of these organizations |
| you might actually be referred to an inspector that | | | | are reputable and insist that their members meet |
| performs a poor inspection. Therefore, you should | | | | certain standards of excellence. It is even more |
| keep a few things in mind when selecting a | | | | important to look for an inspector belonging to one |
| professional to conduct the home inspection. | | | | of these organizations if your state does not have |
| Why Have a Home Inspection in the First Place? | | | | established licensing standards. |
| Having a home inspection performed is an important | | | | Getting Properly Educated |
| component of the buying process. In essence, the | | | | The level of education of the inspector is another |
| home inspection helps to ensure that you are | | | | factor that you should consider. Ideally, the inspector |
| purchasing what you think you are buying. In other | | | | should have at least a bachelor's degree. In this way, |
| words, the inspection can help to uncover any hidden | | | | you can take comfort in knowing that the person |
| problems that you may not have noticed when you | | | | has the necessary critical thinking skills to analyze |
| looked at the home. | | | | potential problems and safety hazards within the |
| If the report the inspector provides shows that | | | | home. |
| there are problems, you should then use this | | | | If the inspector is a member of ASHI or NAHI, you |
| information in order to go back to the drawing board | | | | can be certain that he or she has attained a certain |
| with your Realtor and with the seller. If there are | | | | amount of education. In fact, members of these |
| problems with the home, you may be able to | | | | organizations will have passed a national test that is |
| negotiate a lower price or you may be able to insist | | | | administered by the Examination Board of |
| that the seller make the necessary repairs before | | | | Professional Home Inspectors. In addition, members |
| the deal is closed. | | | | of these organizations have to complete continuing |
| Checking the Inspector's Licensure | | | | education requirements in order to maintain their |
| When you begin the process of selecting an | | | | memberships. |
| inspector, you should first look into the various | | | | By looking for an inspector with these characteristics, |
| inspectors' licensures. Depending upon the state in | | | | as well as finding one that is properly insured with |
| which you live, there may an established standard of | | | | Errors and Omissions Insurance, you will be able to |
| practice or educational requirements set in place. If | | | | tell your Realtor to finalize the deal with confidence |
| this is the case, request a copy of the state | | | | that you are making a good decision. |