Inspector Carl. What to expect when you make that decision to become a home inspector. This blog is about two important things in my opinion. We know having folks in our profession that are dedicated is important, just as having dedicated realtors. Do you truly want to be a home inspector? Or are you a Wanna-B? When you do a complete structural and mechanical property inspection it is just as important as any profession, whether you are an engineer, a builder etc. If you stop please take time to read this to the END.

People gotta live somewhere just like people gotta eat and all in between that comes with living in a home and having food on the table. They need dentist, physicians, carpet cleaners, mortgage brokers, appraisers and may I add the most important realtors and home inspectors. Our life is full of "gotta have's" and that is acceptable. You gotta have a good realtor to get you through the process, not like it was 30 or 40 years ago. Home Inspectors much like the realtor, we have to go through a maze of constant training, new codes, new forms, new E&O rules...a never ending maze that is a welcomed part of my job. We are here to protect the consumer, maybe get hired to do the home inspection, and if we are lucky to get paid for the service that we offer.

Why does it sound simple? Go sign up to become a home inspector; take a course and pass the test, arm yourself with gadgets and away you go. Sounds simple? Yes it does. Is it simple? Yes and No.

Recently I have had several calls from new inspectors that have just completed training and now have a license to practice being a home inspector. Now some of you have been in the business longer and some less time then me. I am a member of TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission); my name is on the list of home inspector's that can assist new inspectors, that is why I get these calls. Recently and almost word for word the last two calls I received were new inspectors, license in hand, wanting to spend a few days in the field with me to "see what it's all about."

Now let me tell you I have had some that have spent a day or two in the field with me that have gone on to build their business and do very well. They understood that it was going to take hard work, discipline, and would take time to build a nice business. On the other hand I have seen a few that are no longer around that went to class and took the course, invested money, but forgot the main factor in the equation, build a "foundation", put in the "hard" work, and promote our industry as a true professional and consider this your "full time job."

In this economy I believe you have to give it 100%, one hundred per cent, or however you want to type or say it. It is a full time job, not part time, not let me see how I like it. This isn't fun and games, it's the real thing.

My questions to you if you are trying to make that career decision to become or not become a home inspector?

Do you like climbing a ladder to get on a roof?

Do you like crawling in the attic when it is 100 degre es or more outside (much hotter when you're in the attic)?

Do you like crawling under houses?

Do you like dealing with the consumer that doesn't really understand the process? Thinks you fee is too much?

Do you like when you write your report knowing not everyone is going to be happy (at times) with your home evaluation?

Do you like sometimes after all the work to not get paid, or the check bounces, or the mortgage company is no longer and you don't get paid?

Do you like knowing you have to go through additional classroom training for your license to stay current?

Do you like that your E&O insurance goes up every year, even through you have not one mark against your name?

Do you like knowing that you could be injured on the job?

Do you like coming home in the evening spending hours writing a report that will evaluate your items that may need attention or repair? Not a checklist, I mean an in-depth report?

In my case I knew all this; and I wanted home inspection to be my "full time" chosen profession. I had only one profession before I became a home inspector; a profession completely different from what I do now. I did many inspections with a great inspector in San Antonio TX, no pay until I finished my apprenticeship. I don't know the exact number of homes I had to inspect but they were quite a few.

WHY OH WHY would someone who wants to enter into the home inspection profession, go through the training call someone to ride in the field to see "what's it all about".  You should investigate before and I say before you make that decision. Am I missing something here? I don't believe any area of the real estate business should be part time. Either you do or you don't. Take pride in what you do and give the consumer 100%.

If home inspection is your choice then commit and understand (in my opinion) it should be full time. Give yourself time to build your business and understand that times can be lean at first.

Just like blogging on Active Rain.  If you are consistent you will learn and be able to contribute. If you try it a few times to see how you like it, we will probably see one of those blogs and know someone wasn't willing to put in the time.

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