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8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
Congratulations! You've decided to purchase a home. We all know that when purchasing a home, every detail is an important one. And choosing a home inspector is no exception. It's critical to choose an inspector the same way you've chosen a real estate professional - very carefully! You'll get a great educational experience when you hire a professional with the right credentials. Working with a home inspector isn't complicated; however, unless armed with the right questions to ask, you may get stuck with a less than capable individual. Here are my top 8 questions to ask your next home inspector: It's great that your inspector is a nice person, but what did they do before inspecting homes? Do they bring a wealth of knowledge about the construction trades, building, or remodeling? Or were they a hairdresser in a previous life? Don't get me wrong, I'm not picking on hairdressers - but that occupation certainly doesn't have anything to do with inspecting a house! This question may not be applicable in all states - there are states without licensing requirements for home inspectors. But if your state has some kind of requirements, you need to know what they are, and where you can go to verify that your chosen inspector has done what it takes to be state-compliant. Verification is essential, because many states have the capability to track continuing education of the inspector as well as complaints. This is critical! ASHI is the oldest, largest, and most respected organization for home inspectors in the country. They also maintain the highest standards and ethics for home inspectors. If your inspector is a member of this organization, you can be sure that they have passed The National Home Inspectors Exam, and they have completed all training and administrative requirements for membership. You can even verify membership status at www.ASHI.org. The inspector may be a member of other organizations, but none have requirements as strict as ASHI. And don't be fooled by those companies who claim to inspect to "ASHI standards" - if they aren't a bonifide ASHI member, find another inspector. Longevity gives comfort that the inspector will be with you in the future as new needs and issues arise. But if he's only done 12 inspections during his several years in business, that's not good! Your home buying decision is far too important to be a practice place for a part-time inspector. All homes have some systems and features in common, but a brand new home has risks and issues that differ from an historic beauty from the year 1855. Only someone who has walked the walk and crawled the crawl numerous times in similar homes can sleuth out those important items that are specific to your age, size, and type of home. Your inspector should be capable of going and willing to go into those places where others fear to tread! These are the places that must be seen to best protect the customer. There a times when those locations cannot be completely inspected due to physical risk to the inspector, risk to the equipment, or seasonal limitations. But for the inspector to not inspect those locations because he doesn't want to, is scared of the dark, or is too ample to fit into those spaces is unacceptable. Often, the report will contain descriptions of damage or defect in locations of the home that only the inspector was able to access, like roof-tops or crawl spaces. You will want pictures of these areas to make your understanding of the scope and location of the damage clear. It also makes repairs simpler to get estimated when a photograph is available. Often the buying decision is time critical, you want to be sure you will receive your completed report in time to read, review, and respond. The best companies can deliver the report to you on-site, right at the home, just as the inspection is completed. Finally, be sure to attend the home inspection. There is no substitute for the complete inspection experience; the report generated is only a small piece of the inspection. When you attend the inspection, see the process, ask questions, and become educated about your home, you'll gain great comfort and confidence in your buying decision. Good luck, and happy home buying! Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. Wally's expertise and experience has been sought after by HGTV's "House Detective", the Florida Times Union, and many real estate boards and associations. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit http://www.WallyConway.com for more information!
MORE RESOURCES: The Insult Comic Who Sells Million-Dollar Homes The New York Times Who’s building and who’s buying in Greater Baton Rouge Baton Rouge Business Report Like Real Estate? Earn 12% With AWP Seeking Alpha Commercial Real Estate Roundup for Sept. 12, 2025 Idaho Business Review Local real estate investment firm details positive federal tax policy changes for investors SiouxFalls.Business Detroit among the best U.S. cities for first-time real estate investors ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 Calvin Harris Accuses Financial Adviser of Stealing Millions to Fund ‘Boondoggle’ Real Estate Project variety.com Real Estate Startup Aims to Help Clients Make Smarter, Data-Driven Decisions National Association of REALTORS® Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate offers pre-license courses Quad Cities Business Journal Matt Curtis Real Estate Completes 150th Home Build in Guatemala, Extending Global Mission of Service Huntsville Business Journal University of Alabama business school receives $5 million donation The Tuscaloosa News As AI takes over mortgage approvals, who’s watching the machines? Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com AI and analytics key to navigating ‘exciting inflection point’ in real estate, UBS CIO says Pensions & Investments Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CAR.UN) Confirms September 2025 Monthly Distribution Yahoo Finance Press Release: Korrin Petersen Joins Bowditch’s Real Estate and Environmental Law Practice Bowditch & Dewey Signs of more affordability, inventory in mid-Hudson Valley real estate market this fall Times Herald-Record Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CHP.UN) Declares C$0.064 Cash Distribution for September Yahoo Finance Dunlap & Moran real estate attorney named to Best Lawyers in America 2025 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Rare two-family waterfront home in Fairhaven sells for $1M. Weekly home sales SouthCoastToday.com 66K-sf property near Rice Village sold Texas Real Estate Research Center Real Estate Notes: Downtown Hilton hotel opens Nashville Post Capital Idea Community Pulse - Lima One Builds Unique Lending Model For Real Estate And Construction Projects Greenville Online 261-unit River House along River Walk sold Texas Real Estate Research Center Inside Savannah Homes: 3 fully furnished condos overlooking Chippewa Square for $6.995M Savannah Morning News HAR.com Expands to Include Commercial Real Estate Listings Realty News Report Northwest Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Announces September 2025 Distribution Yahoo Finance East Cobb residential real estate sales, Sept. 2-5, 2025 East Cobb News Hawthorne Capital Named Fastest-Growing Real Estate Company in the Americas by Financial Times Business Wire The Rise Of Branded Residences: A Global Real Estate Trend With Local Impact - Harlem World Magazine The Rise Of Branded Residences: A Global Real Estate Trend With Local Impact Harlem World Magazine Senate Set to Confirm Miran for Fed on Eve of Pivotal Interest Rate Decision Norada Real Estate Investments Navigating home inspections, objections and appraisals in Colorado real estate The Chaffee County Times Renovated 125-year-old waterfront cape in Westport sells for $2.5 M: Weekly home sales Fall River Herald News Linkhome Holdings Inc. Launches Platform for Real Estate Purchases Using Cryptocurrency Quiver Quantitative Does Las Cruces real estate take a winter holiday? Las Cruces Sun-News Texas now restricts Chinese nationals from buying property. Is it alien land laws all over again? The Guardian Real estate company launches crypto-based platform National Mortgage News REALTY ONE GROUP POWERS INTO MEXICO CITY PR Newswire New Silver Introduces Commercial Real Estate Loan Program sg.finance.yahoo.com A glance at Dayton's top commercial real estate transactions, totaling $18.8 million The Business Journals The “Most Expensive” Home In America JUST Hit The Market—and You Won't Believe the Price House Beautiful Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. Declares $0.47 Quarterly Cash Dividend for Q3 2025 Quiver Quantitative How Quincy councilors voted on $1.9M deal to sell downtown property The Patriot Ledger Flagship Communities Real Estate Investment Trust Announces September 2025 Cash Distribution GlobeNewswire Brand-new, million-dollar home in Clive features fitness area, contemporary style The Des Moines Register 374K-sf logistics warehouse breaks ground in Pasadena Texas Real Estate Research Center Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance Declares Common Stock Dividend of $0.47 for the Third Quarter of 2025 GlobeNewswire Strive305: Tico Casamayor & Irvans Augustin Talk Real Estate with Natalee Lima & Denise Sainz Miami's Community News On the Move: Strategic Retail Advisors Partners with CCP Real Estate Advisors Orange County Business Journal Real Estate: North Vine motel, South Jackson commercial property both change hands Magnolia Reporter $5.3 million home sells on Anna Maria Island Tampa Bay Times 250% Dividend Increase: Lead Real Estate Boosts Shareholder Payout to $0.07 from $0.02 Last Year Stock Titan Westchester/Fairfield Real Estate Awards Breakfast Westfair Communications Churches tackle 'ambitious' growth plans with real estate The Business Journals San Jose housing tower project site once home to popular pet shop faces foreclosure SiliconValley.com Ocean-block house on Palm Beach's North End brings $29.5 million in off-market deal Palm Beach Daily News |
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