| Choosing the wrong Home Inspector can cost you a | | | | different. However, there are many companies out |
| lot more than the fee you paid. If you choose a home | | | | there looking to make a buck off the backs of new |
| inspector solely on price alone, your headed down a | | | | home inspectors. Don't fall for the "Certified" or "Master |
| dangerous highway.I'm still amazed at people who will | | | | Certified" home inspector label. Some of these |
| spend countless hours, days and months looking for | | | | organizations use the word "Certified" in their name to |
| just the right home and then choose a home inspector | | | | try and sound credible. Buyer beware.If you're looking |
| solely because he was $50 or $100 than the next | | | | for an inspector on new construction, you do want to |
| guy.Home Inspector Schools are turning out record | | | | look for a Code "Certified" inspector.Two national |
| number of new inspectors. These people come from | | | | home inspector associations that you can trust are the |
| all walks of life. One week they are the door greeter | | | | American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)- and the |
| at a department store, the next they're a "Certified" | | | | National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)- has |
| home inspector.Before choosing any inspector there | | | | very strict requirements for membership including |
| are some things you need to know.Tip #1: Research, | | | | passing the National Home Inspector Examination. NAHI |
| research and research some more. Find out as much | | | | has similar requirements.Tip #4: You get what you pay |
| as you can about the inspector you want to hire. Call | | | | for. Price should be at the bottom of your list of |
| them up and speak with them over the phone. Are | | | | priorities when shopping for an inspector. A good, |
| they easy to talk to? Are they knowledgeable about | | | | thorough and knowledgeable inspector will save you |
| homes? Will he/she email you a sample report? Is the | | | | money while a poor inspector will cost you many times |
| report easy to read and understand?You may also | | | | their fee. You may need that $100 bucks you saved to |
| want to ask your friends and coworkers for referrals. | | | | try and repair that $10,000 roof your inspector failed to |
| However, never take their recommendations blindly. | | | | warn you about.Let's take a 2000 square foot home. |
| The majority of people have no idea if they received a | | | | A top of the line inspector who knows what he's doing |
| good inspection or not. They just know they like the | | | | will cost you approximately $350 to $600 for this size |
| inspector and he pointed some things out. Research, | | | | home, depending on a few variables. You have to ask |
| research, research!Tip #2: Never hire an Inspector | | | | yourself, if the inspector I choose charges less, why? |
| solely on the recommendation of your Real Estate | | | | What will be missed or left out of the inspection?On |
| Agent. While you may think that your agent hung the | | | | the other hand, a good inspector will find things others |
| moon, they could be pushing you to use a "wink and | | | | will miss. You may want to go back to the Seller and |
| nod" inspector, or as we in the business call them, | | | | renegotiate the price of the home. I've seen Sellers |
| "Drive by Inspectors." They grab your check as the | | | | drop their price $30,000 because of the items we |
| drive by the home their suppose to be inspecting. | | | | found wrong with homes. I've also saved my Clients |
| These types of inspectors "don't rock the boat" or are | | | | countless thousands of dollars by brining major defects |
| not "deal killers".These inspectors get their business | | | | to their attention before they signed on the dotted |
| from agents who control them. The agent knows the | | | | line.Tip #5: Check with you state to see if they require |
| inspector will see to it that the inspection doesn't derail | | | | home inspectors to be licensed. More and more states |
| the transaction. Even if your agent recommends 2,3 or | | | | are requiring home inspectors to be licensed. Even in |
| more inspectors, it's wiser to avoid the conflict of | | | | these states, there are some inspectors who can't |
| interest and find an inspector who works for you and | | | | meet the standards and will be performing illegal |
| you only.Tip #3: Why the word "Certified" may not be | | | | inspections. Check them out before hiring |
| a good thing. Listen up. You can become a "Certified" | | | | them.Choosing the right Home Inspector is a very |
| home inspector by sending a hundred dollars or so to | | | | important process when buying a home. Don't leave it |
| one of many home inspection associations. No | | | | to chance. Do your homework and you'll be money |
| experience required. Just send them the money and | | | | ahead.This article may be freely distributed as long as |
| they send you a "Certified" certificate.Sure, it's good | | | | this sig/resource box is left intact with the article.Donald |
| that your inspector should belong to some state and | | | | Lawson is a Professional Real Estate Inspector |
| national home inspector associations. Most | | | | licensed in Oklahoma (#454) and Texas (#5824). He |
| professionals in any business belong to industry | | | | currently owns and operates V.I.P. Home Inspections, a |
| associations in their field. Home inspectors are no | | | | multi inspector firm in Houston Texas. |