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Choosing a Home Inspector? Some things you should know.

By
Real Estate Agent with Envision Real Estate Group, LLC.

The Home Inspector you choose to do your home inspection is very important.  Your Realtor®, Lender, Appraiser, and Home Inspector are vital components in a success real estate transaction.  Too often, people try to save money by choosing not to have a home inspection, DON'T.  According to the National Association of Realtors® and American Society of Home Inspectors 2001 survey, 84% of home buyers requested a home inspection as part of their contract.  It's essential for you to learn as much as you can about your home. 

*PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT EACH STATE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS. 

I have outlined 10 things you should:

1.  You have the right to choose your home inspector.

2.  is your home inspector licensed.  Check to see if your state requires home inspectors to have a license.  If so, ask for their license number.

3.  You need to know their qualifications.  Are they a member of the National Association of Home Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors?

4.  Your inspector should have Errors and Omission Insurance.  Ask for a copy of the policy.

5.  Are they Full Time or Part Time, and how many home inspections do they conduct yearly?  It's in your best interest to know if this is their profession, or their hobby.

6.  What specifically will the inspection cover and what types of report will you receive?

7.  How much time should be allotted for the inspection?

8.  How much will the inspection cost?

9.  Do they provide references?  You can ask the home inspector for references from past clients, other Realtors®, and other home inspectors.

10.  Do your homework.  If you need a second opinion; get one.

 

Your new home could be the largest investment you make in your life.  Make sure you take the proper steps to insure you are protected.

Posted by

Fort Smith Real Estate

 

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Comments (3)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Home inspectors are not licensed in Maryland.

Lenn, Homefinders.com

Jan 26, 2007 10:56 AM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate

Lenn,

Thank you.  I have made the appropiate changes to the post to clairfy that some states do not require a home inspector to have a license.

Jan 27, 2007 12:25 AM
Stephen Gladstone
Stonehollow Fine Home Inspections & Testing - Stamford, CT

Ray... while I cartainly advocate having E & O  and general liability insurance if a client asked me for a copy of my policy I would probably be wondering if this client is shopping for someone with deep pockets to sue regardless of the quality of the work. Asking if they are insured is fine but if an inspector lies that's fraud. My policy is over 30 pages long and I could barely read it...

You do know that E & O really doesn't serve the buyer anyway. It hires the lawyer to defend the case and settle or fight it , less the deductible. The gen. liability inspection does cover damage that could occur if something is broken by the inspector.

Steve Gladstone, ASHI Certified Inspector

May 19, 2007 10:14 AM