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One way to find a good home inspector

How do I find a good home inspector?

For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

I was working on putting together a list of home inspectors for my client to call to schedule an inspection on a property she is trying to purchase; and I realized that was a great topic for a quick blog.

Home inspectors are a crucial part of providing information to buyers so they can make an informed decision on the inspecting-uid-1605070 property they are trying to purchase. I was looking for the business cards of a couple of inspectors I've used the the past, and I remembered they were both members of ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors and all of their contact information was on ASHI's web page.

ASHI's web site is full of information for consumers; links to consumer protection articles including articles about mold, septic information, aluminum wiring, FAQ's on inspections, and you can search for inspectors in a specific area.

In Colorado, inspectors aren't required to be licensed. Consequently it's comforting for a consumer to choose an inspector who is a member ASHI; as not just anyone can belong to ASHI. Their membership requires an inspector to complete 250 paid inspections as well as they must pass a comprehensive test. Experience definitely counts in this industry.

Article was originally posted at: One way to find a good home inspector

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Posted by Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog - Kathy Torline - Nordstrom on 10/27/2009 04:58 AM

Comments (3)

Home Inspection in the Home Buying Channel

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3 Comments on One way to find a good home inspector

OCT

Thanks for sharing. Home buyers should seek advice from their exclusive agents to obtain the names of the best inspectors.

Roy: Referrals are often a great way for consumers to find the name of good inspectors

As a former member of ASHI, I just want to point out that one can become a "Candidate Member" of ASHI just by sending in a check for membership. Then, within 12 months, one has to complete various other items -- such as fee-paid inspections and a knowledge test -- before becoming a full member.

Trade associations in any industry are not the be-all and end-all for choosing someone although they can be helpful. Rather than choosing somone just because they belong to an association, actually check out their references, their business insurance, their experience, years in business, how many inspections they personally have done, etc.

There are several other trade associations for home inspectors, too, which is part of the problem with the home inspection industry:

International Association of Certified Home Inspectors -- North America's largest home inspector trade association; about 9,000 members
National Association of Home Inspectors - about 4,500 members
Society of Professional Real Estate Inspectors - about 1,000 members
Housing Inspection Foundation - about 1,000 members
National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers - membership unknown
The Foundation of Real Estate Appraisers - includes home inspectors; membership unknown
American Association of Home Inspectors - about 600 members
National Institute of Building Inspectors - membership unknown
Organization of Real Estate Professionals - membership unknown

I've been a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) since March 2003 for two main reasons:

You cannot join InterNACHI just by sending in a check. You have to pass a knowledge-based exam FIRST!
InterNACHI has the industry's most active message board, and since I don't know everything, and since InterNACHI is the largest home inspector trade association, I can post a question or a picture on the message board and have the correct answer within hours, sometimes even minutes. So if a Client asks me a question to which I don't know the answer, I truly can promise that I will know the answer within 24 hours.

Additionally, many states have their own home inspector trade associations. For example, California has the California Real Estate Inspectors Association with about 1,200 members.

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