Thanks for providing these tips. The last one definitely emphasizes the need for both theoretical foundations and applying them aptly to experience.
What specific qualities do members have that leads to them not being qualified inspectors? Just curious, since a network is the easiest way of finding competent professionals?
Excellent question. My first choice is a solid referral from a successful and active investor. I also look for those that act like professionals by continuing their education to stay current on building codes and product safety. There are two professional bodies that provide accreditation and continuing education to Home Inspectors, one is ASHI and the other FABI. You can find them both on the internet and they will provide a member list for your area.
A professional pre-purchase home inspection can reduce anxiety by screening for problems and itemizing them in a comprehensive report. This home inspection report may include approximations of repair costs and recommendations of useful upgrades to the property systems. The general result of a professional home inspection is that property buyers make significantly more informed purchases.
Screening for Problems: All homes have strong and weak points, they are not always what they seem. Gain the perspective and sound information you need to make better decisions with a home inspection performed by an experienced professional home inspectors. A good home inspectors works through a very long checklist of potential concerns to identify the major and minor deficiencies in the home. A good report will clearly describe the problems and illustrate them along with the what-to and how-to of repairs.
Provide Owners Benefits: Home owners who are planning to make improvements to their homes in order to increase its market value would be well advised to have it inspected first. A home inspectors can help prioritize home improvements and offer advice on the best ways to approach repairs. More importantly, an inspectors can help the seller identify potential or undiscovered problems before those problems become material for contract contingencies. By taking a pro-active approach one can avoid the frustrations many owners encounter when they are asked to re-negotiate their contracts because of unanticipated problem areas.
Credentials: Like any other professional, home inspectors (even those with licenses) have varied degrees of expertise. All home inspectors should be carefully screened. Inspectors learn from experience. It takes a few thousand inspections and a more than a few complaints for a home inspectors to LEARN what it takes to satisfy clients. I spent seven years as a construction contractor prior to becoming a home inspectors in 1993. I have taught the New Jersey home inspection training class to new inspectors for a few years. I still see things I have never seen before. Would you want the biggest investment of your life inspected by a person who took a three week training class? RECENTLY PASSED LEGISLATION ALLOWS NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTORS TO BE LICENSED WITH AS LITTLE AS THREE WEEKS OF CLASS ROOM TRAINING AND JUST ONE WEEK IN ACTUAL HOMES. LICENSING IS A MINIMUM QUALIFICATION. MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR RESUME!
Michael, thanks for the great information from the other side of the conversation. I agree, state laws vary widely across the country. Only recently did the state of Florida enact legislation requiring licensing of home inspectors. There are many excellent trained professionals which meet the professional criteria you referenced. The unfortunate part is that most people vet a home inspector via a Realtor referral or the lowest priced guy in the yellow pages.
Thanks again for some great information!