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Move In Certfied

By
Home Inspector with GLP's Home and Mold Inspections

NACHI the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is trying a new market campaign called move in certified. I think this will help homes sell faster. The seller pays for the inspection before it is listed. Please let me know what you think.

 

Advantages of selling a home that has been Move In Certified: 

  • The seller can choose a certified NACHI inspector to inspect the home properly before the buyer's inspector arrives.
  • The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience.
  • It might alert the seller of any items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
  • The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer's inspection.
  • The seller can have the inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report before it is generated.
  • The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't exist or have been corrected.
  • A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time which:
    • might make the home show better.
    • gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.
    • permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
    • removes over-inflated buyer procured estimates from the negotiation table.
  • The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety issues found, before agents and visitors tour the home.
  • The report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to potential buyers.
  • A seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report hosted on www.FetchReport.com to be used as a marketing tool.
  • Move In Certified yard signs attract potential buyers. 
  • A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on the part of the seller.
  • The report might relieve a prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
  • A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
  • The report might encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
The deal is less likely to fall apart the way they often do when a buyer's inspection unexpectedly reveals a problem, last minute.

 

Comments (23)

Christopher Fritts
Realty World Pacific Northwest - Longview, WA
GRI, CBR, REI, PME, RECS
Hi Gary !!  Okay.....here's what is confusing about the statement "move in certified."  First off, to a buyer, this makes it sound like there are no issues with the home and that it is "ok" with the "move in certified" seal.  Although a seller hires an inspector to do a prelist inspection, this certainly does not mean a seller is going to do any repairs. So, why the term "move in certified"?  I believe this to be misleading to the buying public.  Secondly, could the "move in certified" statement also mean that a home inspector has certified the home to have problems?  Again, I find this misleading.  And if I am missing something here, please let me know. Perhaps "move in certified" homes are only homes with a clean home inspection report.   Please do not misconstrue my comment to mean that I disagree with a prelist home inspection. I think it is important and I recommend my sellers to have an inspection conducted prior to listing. So, if you would, please shed some light on this for me as I may just be totally missing something.  And if so, I apologize !!  :)
Sep 13, 2007 08:06 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Gary,

Well this would explain all the very recent blogs by inspectors on "move in certified" inspections. A pre-listing inspection by any other name is... a pre-listing inspection. I believe Chris brings up some good points. This use of the word certified, (by the only HI group that uses the term in their title) is once again a misnomer.

What does "move in certified" mean or imply. To me it sounds like the home is without defect. Ready for occupancy. As Chris said this misleading. The home inspector is not certifying the home as move in ready or defect free. Or is that what you are doing when performing a move in certified inspection. Are you guaranteeing the property?

This comes across to me as nothing more than creative marketing and putting a different spin on a service most home inspectors already perform.

Sep 14, 2007 05:08 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
It sounds like another marketing spin to get more jobs for home inspectors.  Nothing wrong with that and if it can get sellers to have the homes inspected before they go on the market I am ok with it.  I might be a bit hesitant to use the term "Move In Certified" but would have to make sure it had the right disclosure. 
Sep 17, 2007 02:34 AM
Christopher Fritts
Realty World Pacific Northwest - Longview, WA
GRI, CBR, REI, PME, RECS

Thanks, Gene.  I agree !!  I certainly wouldn't use the words "Move In Certified".  And I'm not sure if I would use them even with a disclosure.  How can one say "all is okay" with a "but it may not be". :[  .  ((Gene....how's Va Beach?  And Betsy?  It's been a long time since I left Sandbridge Realty.  I hope all is well with you))

Sep 17, 2007 06:01 PM
Joseph Michalski
Precision Home Inspection - Lansdale, PA
PA Home Inspector

The program specifically does NOT certify anything on the part of the inspector.  The inspector only certifies the condition of items at the time of the inspection.  It also does not mean that a home with significant issues will be offered teh "move in certified" stamp, even if that is what the seller contracted for.

It is  - as someone else correctly identifed - simply a Pre-Listing Inspection with a sign the seller can place on teh lawn to attract attention. 

It is the SELLER who is "certifying" that the house is "move in certified" and taking on the associated liability.

I asked on my most recent post ("Looking for Realtor gut reactions")for Realtor feedback on the issue of Pre-listing inspections.  The reaction to them in this part of the country is that they are increased liability for the seller, and not worth the potnetial benefit.  Is this the general reaction elsewhere as well?

 

Sep 18, 2007 01:35 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Joseph,

First thing is once again the word "certified" is misused and misleading. This whole move in certified inspection is just a marketing ploy. It is meaningless and will very likely end up with angry home sellers.

Sep 18, 2007 01:47 AM
Joseph Michalski
Precision Home Inspection - Lansdale, PA
PA Home Inspector

Effective marketing is a good thing, and I do not begrudge anyone the use of any words, so long as it does not generate any added liability or misunderstandings.

Pre-listing inspections seem to be a mixed bag, and I am interested in the Realtor's take on them (I have renamed my post, as I am sincerely intersted in seeing if there is a way we can serve sellers well, or if the potnetial liability makes it impossible).

Sep 18, 2007 01:54 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
I think pre-listing inspections are a good thing but around here buyers never rely on them and always get there own.  I just had a fall thru with the inspection not 25 days old and the new buyer wanted his own inspection. 
Sep 18, 2007 08:22 AM
John McKenna
InfraredClass.com - Dallas, TX

MoveInCertified homes have been pre-inspected

by NACHI certified inspectors and the sellers

confirm that there are no major systems in need

of immediate repair or replacement and no known

safety hazards.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/211748/Sellers-Now-Offer-Move 

Sep 26, 2007 09:09 AM
Gary Porter
GLP's Home and Mold Inspections - Orlando, FL
Thanks, John for adding to this post, You are a big help and a great inspector.
Sep 29, 2007 07:10 PM
Joseph Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc. - Parkesburg, PA

Any home can be pre-inspected. Only a select few can be Move in Certified.

Sep 30, 2007 09:28 AM
Darren Miller
About The House - Succasunna, NJ

I have over 3600 inspections under my belt and have not found one (1) house that would be "Move-in certified"

But hey, NACHI has found lots of things other people haven't

 

Darren

 

www.aboutthehouseinspections.com

 

 

 

Oct 01, 2007 01:23 PM
Harold Miller
Miller Home Inspection - Stanwood, WA
Certified Professional Home Inspector

Good post Gary. I can appreciate the fact that our industry is changing daily, and that new marketing innovations are constantly evolving. This program of Move In Certifed can have some promise if implemented and executed properly. I think folks should not summarily dismiss the program because of its' affiliation with NACHI.

I am also surprised at the unprofessional slander aimed at NACHI on Active Rain by other inspectors in this post. In the end there are number of inspection associations out there, and to think membership makes any individual better, or worse, is ludicrous.

Last time I checked we all put our pants on the same way, and there are really great inspectors in all associations. We should all treat each other with the respect that we would desire from others.

If an inspector belongs to an association that they believe is above the rest. Then it seems like this a good forum to help out the rest of us that are less fortunate. True pros don't need to carry a chip on their shoulder and denigrate others.

Oct 26, 2007 03:35 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

An interesting point John McKenna made;

MoveInCertified homes have been pre-inspected by NACHI certified inspectors and the sellers confirm that there are no major systems in need of immediate repair or replacement and no known  safety hazards.

The SELLERS CONFIRM! What did they hire the home inspector to do? Is not the reason for the inspection to find and alert the seller to problems that;

  1. Would inhibit the sale
  2. Are dangerous or potential hazards

The inspector should be hired for his knowledge and expertise, unless it seems in this instance. Marketing ploys are fine as long as they are not mis-leading. To me, and it would seem to others here, the MoveInCertified pre-sale home inspection is not completely transparent.

Harold, Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Slander is not the correct term, it would be libel. The alleged defamation was in print, not spoken. Darren's' comment was a bit pointed, I agree, but hardly defamatory.

Oct 26, 2007 05:57 AM
Harold Miller
Miller Home Inspection - Stanwood, WA
Certified Professional Home Inspector

James, Thanks for the vocabulary lesson. From here forth I will make sure I use the word libel when someone is slinging mud at NACHI. ....I just thought professionals were above that.

I am sure Move in Certified would be "marketing genius "if it was presented by another inspectors association.

I don't offer the Move In Certified service, but I just wanted to add an "objective" opinion.

Oct 28, 2007 03:27 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Harold,

No one was "slinging mud" at NACHI. If you read through the responses, they are objective and professional and come from Realtors and home inspectors. If you don't agree with the opinions of the respondents, that's to be expected. We all have differing views.

The origin of the marketing campaign has nothing to do with my observations or opinions, and I would venture to guess that goes for the other respondants as well. One person here made a pointed remark directed at NACHI. I agree that was uncalled for and unprofessional. The other responses are nothing more than opinions and discussion. Would you not agree?

Oct 28, 2007 04:23 AM
Harold Miller
Miller Home Inspection - Stanwood, WA
Certified Professional Home Inspector

...maybe I misread your post....

 

Quote;

09/14/2007

by James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector

."...............This use of the word certified, (by the only HI group that uses the term in their title) is once again a misnomer."
Oct 28, 2007 03:39 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Harold,

What exactly is your point. That was my observation and opinion of the "moveincertified" inspections. It is, in my opinion, a misrepresentation (misnomer) of the service. It implies something (the home is defect free) that is very likely untrue. Whether in fact that is or is not how the service functions is not the point. It is what is implied or percieved by the name of the service that is in question.

The sentence;

This use of the word certified, (by the only HI group that uses the term in their title) is once again a misnomer.

Refers to the word certified and its' prolific use. The aside is not the sentence subject. NACHI is the only HI group that uses the word certified in the title of the organization. That is a true statement, is it not?  They also  attach the word to things they market or organize.

The word certified is way over used in so many areas of business these days and in most cases it is meaningless. True certifications are rare. Most are given by organizations or businesses that stand to gain financially by the individuals being "certified". Hardly an unbiased or true testament to the individuals skill.

So, yes I believe you did misread my post.

Oct 29, 2007 10:32 AM
Christopher Fritts
Realty World Pacific Northwest - Longview, WA
GRI, CBR, REI, PME, RECS
Gentleman: If this discussion is to continue; how about some new opinions?  Put down your daggers....enough of the "back and forth".  Some great questions have been asked and opinions given.  Leave it at that !!  Move "ON" Certified should be more appropriate for this discussion.  Thanks to all for their efforts.
Oct 29, 2007 11:57 AM
Joseph Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc. - Parkesburg, PA

James,

 The Move In Certified Program was not intended to be all inclusive. It is a Marketing Program intended for select properties that qualify for such a designation.

Any Home can be Pre-Inspected. Only a Select Few can be qualified as "Move in Certified".

Oct 29, 2007 01:19 PM