Economic recession and lack of funds to maintain resources
Another negative effect of an economic recession is the lack of funds to maintain resources. Technology may make this harder to observe for the casual consumer. A first time visit to a web page often has the assumption that this web page is current or new, since the viewer is seeing it for the first time. Home buyers today should look for dates on the information and decide if the information is still relevant. How about those testimonials from the 1990s? Or the ones without any dates?
Government Resources
The government agencies are not imune to the effects of economic recession. For example, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a web page "Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector - HUD".
Let me review this with respect to just one State where home inspector licensing is required, Massachusetts.
Question 1. What does your inspection cover?
An out-dated question for MA home buyers. The State of MA requires home inspector licensing which includes home inspectors conducting their inspections to the MA Home Inspector Standards of Practice. This question will get the same response from all home inspectors and not really help the buyer decide on a home inspector.
Question 2. How long have you been practicing in the home inspection profession and how many inspections have you completed?
Another out-dated question for MA home buyers. The State of MA requires home inspector licensing which includes a Trainee and Associate period to ensure the client that this is not the "first inspection" ever performed by this inspector. Also we all know that previous accomplishments can not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Isn't this a blanket disclaimer for most every profession? Once again the responses from this question do not help the home buyer to differentiate the home inspector
Question 3. Are you specifically experienced in residential inspection?
Another out-dated question for MA home buyers. The State of MA home inspector license only applies to residential construction of 1-4 dwelling units under one roof. Once again a waste of time and no help for the home buyer to select a home inspector in MA.
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Well I could go on for all 10 questions, yet it already seems to repetitive.
It's easy to see how a first time home buyer may think this information is useful, when in reality it is out-dated and more of a hinderence than a help.
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