4 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HOME INSPECTOR

Most people go for the home inspector with the cheapest rate. But choosing a home inspector is really important and can cost you a lot more than you paid the inspector. The home search and buying process is stressful enough. Making a wrong choice in inspectors can make the effort worth nothing. So here are 4 tips for choosing a home inspector.
1. Inquire
Ask for past clients from your home inspector and talk with them. It is important to work with an inspector who is knowledgeable and professional. Call the inspector and note how they speak with you over the phone. Will they be easy to work with? You can determine how knowledgeable and professional they are from your conversations. Talk with more than one home inspector and don’t just go with the one that offers the lowest rate.
2. Screen recommendations
Your agent may be looking to close fast and use a “drive-by” inspector. Meaning that the inspector grabs your check as he drives by your home, spending little time on the inspection. An agent’s recommendation shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all. In addition, recommendations by your family and friends may be very convincing but they probably know little about what a good home inspection entails. Therefore you need to screen home inspectors on your own and find an inspector who’d work for you.
3. Don’t fall for the “certified” label
Most specialists in virtually any thriving business belong in industry associations in their field. Home inspectors are no different. However, there are extensive companies out there seeking to make a buck from the backs of new home inspectors. Don't fall for the "Certified" or "Master Certified" home inspector label. A few of these organizations use the term "Certified" in their name to appear credible.
Two countrywide home inspector organizations that you can trust are the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)- http://www.ashi.com and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)- http://www.nahi.org.
ASHI has very rigorous requirements for regular membership including passing the National Home Inspector Evaluation. NAHI has similar requirements.
4. You get what you pay for.
Price should be at the bottom of your list of priorities when shopping for an inspector. A good inspector, comprehensive and well informed will save you money while a poor inspector will cost you many times their fee. You may need the $100  you saved to try to fix this $10,000 roof your inspector failed to warn you about. A good inspector finds things that others miss. You may have to return to the seller and renegotiate the price of the house.