A NACHI course for real estate agents

I hope that this information will help Realtors better understand what a Home Inspection is, and how you as Realtors can learn more and possibility attain CE for it.  I apologize if someone may take this as a advertisement, but it was not meant that way. Informational only for who ever is interested

The real estate agent/student will go through the entire inspection process from writing an inspection addendum to handling post-closing complaints, covering nearly every inspection-related scenario, all with an emphasis on limiting agent liability. 

Nick Gromicko, veteran REALTOR, inspector, home builder, real estate author, and Founder of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). 

Mr. Gromicko and NACHI offer this course FREE to all NACHI members or NACHI chapters that procure CE approval from their local Board of REALTORs and/or real estate licensing board.  This is an excellent course for a NACHI member or chapter to host and offer to the real estate agents in their area.

This course has already been approved for continuing education by several Boards of REALTORs .  Submitting the course outline below to your local Board of REALTORs and/or real estate licensing board should result in its immediate approval.  NACHI will provide additional advertising to real estate agents at no charge should a member or chapter decide to host this course.

Introduction to inspections. How to write an inspection addendum to the real estate sales contract. How to find a competent inspector:

Your fiduciary duty to refer the best inspectors. Licensing...a minimum standard. Local regulations regarding inspections. Ancillary inspection regulation in your area. Certification...who's? Standards of Practice of the inspection industry. Code of Ethics of the inspection industry. Known no-entrance requirement inspection diploma mill trade associations. Why a professional engineer can't really do a home inspection, typically. How to avoid home inspectors who also offers repair services. Reviewing sample inspection reports with your client. Continuing education for inspectors. References. NACHI. Professional designations for inspectors. IAC2 Certified Master Inspectors, CMI.

How an agent can limit liability:

What to do when your client waives the inspection. What to do when your client can't be present for the inspection. To refer particular home inspectors or not to...that is the question? Negligent referral claims. Hold harmless agreements. E&O and GL insurance. Post inspection client surveys. Preferred vendor lists, avoid inspectors that participate. Home warranties. Breaching the inspection rider of the sales agreement. Disclosing past findings to new potential buyers, right or wrong? What you should do when you know of or notice a defect. What to do when a seller's property is damaged during an inspection. What to do when an injury occurs during an inspection. Avoiding conflicts of interest. Keep your yap shut, sometimes. When the laboratory report comes in after the addendum deadline. Surprise, you've been sued. Reputation damage control. Who left the cat out during the inspection? Sharing a confidential report. Three rules of inspections: disclose, disclose, disclose.

What ancillary inspections to consider:

General home inspections Wood destroying organisms Radon gas Water quality Asbestos Lead Private wells Mold and mildew Septic systems Out-buildings Pools

How to prepare for a home inspection:

Instructions to give to the seller. Instructions to give to the buyer. Instructions to give the inspector. Procuring access.

What an agent's role is during the home inspection:

When to intervene. When to keep quiet. When the inspector finds a defect that doesn't exist. When the inspector misses a defect that does exist. Special issues for vacant homes. Special issues for out-of-town buyers. When your buyer can't be present for the inspection. When you are a buyer's agent. When you are a listing agent. When you are a dual agent. When the seller insists of being present. When the buyer brings an additional non-professional advisor.

How to protect your client's safety during an inspection:

While the electrical panel has been removed for the inspection. Client's children. Clients who want to climb the roof or in the attic. Your duty to the seller when your client's inspector discovers an immediate safety concern. Dogs.

What to do when an inspection can't be performed:

Weather or seasonal restrictions. Closed or covered pools. Obstructed areas. Safety restrictions. Seller's restrictions to certain areas of the home. Seller or listing agent denies access. The inspector doesn't show and you're out of time. The utilities have been turned off.

What to do after the inspection report is generated:

Analyzing the report. Pictures. Summary pages. Laboratory reports. Getting permission to share. Responding to the seller about defects discovered. Responding to the buyer about credits or repairs requested. Defects, estimates, repairs. Negotiating for your side.

How to handle re-inspections

After a repair is made. What to do when a defect is discovered after the inspection. What to do when inspection reports conflict. What to do when a defect is discovered during the final walk-through.

How to use pre-listing inspections

As listing tools. As marketing tools. To minimize liability. To increase closing percentage.

What additional information is out there:

Appraisal. Insurance loss history reports. Building permits. Seller's disclosure. Agent disclosure. Local zoning. Local codes. Survey. Occupancy permits. Public information. NACHI's Citizen Information Center.

Holding it all together.

http://nachi.org/freenick.htm

• New Hampshire
• Wyoming

Contact fastreply@nachi.org

 

www.besurehomeinspectionservice.com