| After you have found the home that seems to | | | | sure he or she is properly licensed. |
| be the one that you want to purchase, it is time | | | | In addition to the state requirements, it is also a |
| to get a home inspection completed. You can | | | | good idea to select a professional that is a |
| enlist in the services of your Realtor to help you | | | | member of one of two different professional |
| find a great inspector, but you should not rely | | | | standards organizations: the American Society of |
| entirely upon your Realtor to tell you which | | | | Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National |
| inspector you should use. After all, the home you | | | | Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). Both of |
| will be purchasing will be your property and, if you | | | | these organizations are reputable and insist that |
| choose a poor real estate agent, you might | | | | their members meet certain standards of |
| actually be referred to an inspector that performs | | | | excellence. It is even more important to look for |
| a poor inspection. Therefore, you should keep a | | | | an inspector belonging to one of these |
| few things in mind when selecting a professional | | | | organizations if your state does not have |
| to conduct the home inspection. | | | | established licensing standards. |
| Why Have a Home Inspection in the First Place? | | | | Getting Properly Educated |
| Having a home inspection performed is an | | | | The level of education of the inspector is another |
| important component of the buying process. In | | | | factor that you should consider. Ideally, the |
| essence, the home inspection helps to ensure that | | | | inspector should have at least a bachelor's degree. |
| you are purchasing what you think you are | | | | In this way, you can take comfort in knowing |
| buying. In other words, the inspection can help to | | | | that the person has the necessary critical thinking |
| uncover any hidden problems that you may not | | | | skills to analyze potential problems and safety |
| have noticed when you looked at the home. | | | | hazards within the home. |
| If the report the inspector provides shows that | | | | If the inspector is a member of ASHI or NAHI, |
| there are problems, you should then use this | | | | you can be certain that he or she has attained a |
| information in order to go back to the drawing | | | | certain amount of education. In fact, members of |
| board with your Realtor and with the seller. If | | | | these organizations will have passed a national |
| there are problems with the home, you may be | | | | test that is administered by the Examination |
| able to negotiate a lower price or you may be | | | | Board of Professional Home Inspectors. In |
| able to insist that the seller make the necessary | | | | addition, members of these organizations have to |
| repairs before the deal is closed. | | | | complete continuing education requirements in |
| Checking the Inspector's Licensure | | | | order to maintain their memberships. |
| When you begin the process of selecting an | | | | By looking for an inspector with these |
| inspector, you should first look into the various | | | | characteristics, as well as finding one that is |
| inspectors' licensures. Depending upon the state in | | | | properly insured with Errors and Omissions |
| which you live, there may an established standard | | | | Insurance, you will be able to tell your Realtor to |
| of practice or educational requirements set in | | | | finalize the deal with confidence that you are |
| place. If this is the case, request a copy of the | | | | making a good decision. |
| state standards from the inspector and make | | | | |