REPORTER
INSPECTION NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS, INC.
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
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REPORTER
VOLUME 36, ISSUE #4
6 FEATURES 6
April is National Home Inspection Month By Sally Chapralis
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Three Inspection Photos you Should Take to Manage Your Risk By InspectorPro Insurance
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Home Energy Score UPDATE Enhancements Just in Time for the Busy Inspection Season By ASHI Staff
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12
18 Examining Ethics & Morals By Don Lovering, Speaker of the CoR
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28
Home Inspector by Day KROME by Night By ASHI Staff
44
ASHI Update Forging the Foundation By Chris Karczewski,
Social Media & Digital Strategist
30
ASHI HISTORY A Historic Look at Home Inspection By Carl Fowler
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TIPS FOR THE ROAD TMTC, TMTSTS* By Frank Lesh,
ASHI Ambassador
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ASHI ELECTIONS: How the Process Works By Hollis Brown,
Chair, Director Nominating Committee
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44
InspectPAC: What it is and What we Have Accomplished so far By Dave Kogan,
Director of Marketing & Business Development
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ASHI is Here for you! By Jen Gallegos, Manager of
Membership Services & U.S. DOE Home Energy Score Assessor Coordinator
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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ASHI National Officers and Board of Directors Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.
A S H I M I S SIO N STATEM EN T To set and promote standards for property inspections and to provide the educational programs needed to achieve excellence in the profession and to meet the needs of our members.
OFFICERS Scott Patterson, President Spring Hill, TN, 615-302-1113 scott@traceinspections.com
Bruce Barker, Treasurer Cary, NC, 919-322-4491 bruce@dreamhomeconsultants.com
James J Funkhouser, Vice President Manassas Park, VA , 703-791-2360 jfunkhousr@aol.com
John Wessling , Secretary St. Louis, MO, 314-520-1103 john@wesslinginspections.com
Mike Wagner, President-Elect Westfield, IN, 317-867-7688 mwagner@ralis.com
Tim Buell, Immediate Past-President Marysville, OH, 614-746-7485 tim.buell@gmail.com
Bronson Anderson 2018-2020 Waynesboro, VA, 540-932-7557 2inspect4u@gmail.com
Rob Cornish 2019-2021 Ottawa, ON, 613-858-5000 robc@homexam.ca
Eric Barker 2018-2020 Lake Barrington, IL, 847-408-7238 ebarker@morainewoods.com
Reuben Saltzman 2017-2019 Maple Grove, MN, 952-915-6466 reuben@structuretech1.com
Bob Sisson 2018-2020 Shannon Cory 2018-2020 Boyds MD, 301-208-8289 Fayetteville, GA, 770-461-3408 shannon@rainbowhomeinspections.com Office@inspectionsbybob.com R. Sean Troxell 2019-2021 Riverdale, MD, 301-588-1318 RSeanTroxell@gmail.com
Steve Cross 2019-2021 Ortonville, MI, 248-342-4205 crossinspectionservices@gmail.com
Bryck Guibor 2017-2019 Tucson, AZ, 520-795-5300 bryck@msn.com
Nashaat Roufaiel 2019-2021 Ottawa, ON, 613-823-7706 nr1990@hotmail.com
Lisa Alajajian Giroux 2019-2021 Milford, MA, 508-634-2010 homequest1@comcast.net
Speaker, Council of Representatives Donald Lovering, 2019-2020 Wingate, NC, 704-443-0110 stonehouse1@earthlink.net
Publisher: James Thomas Editor: Carol Dikelsky Art Director: Kate Laurent Assistant Art Director: George Ilavsky American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. 932 Lee Street, Suite 101 Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-954-3179 Reporter calls only 847-299-2505 (fax) Reporter only Email: jamest@ashi.org Advertising: Dave Kogan Phone: 847-954-3187, Email: davek@ashi.org
ASHI REPORTER – ISSN 1076-1942 – the official publication of the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI), 932 Lee St., Suite 101, Des Plaines IL 60016, is published monthly. Annual subscriptions: $44.95 to non-members. Periodical postage paid at Des Plaines, IL 60016 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ASHI Reporter, 932 Lee Street, Suite 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016-6546. Copyright© 2018, ASHI. None of the content of this publication may be reproduced, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Inclusion of or specific mention of any proprietary product within does not imply endorsement of, nor does exclusion of any proprietary product imply non-endorsement, by the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. Opinions or statements of authors and advertisers are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents or editors. See above for information pertaining to submission of articles, advertising and related materials.
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Main Phone: 847-759-2820, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri., CST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Thomas, Executive Director, 847-954-3182, jamest@ashi.org Bonnie Bruno-Castaneda, Executive Assistant, Human Resources & Project Coordinator, 847-954-3177, bonnieb@ashi.org EDUCATION, CE APPROVAL, ASHI ONLINE LEARNING CENTER, INSPECTIONWORLD, CHAPTER RELATIONS Michele George, Director of Education, Events and Chapter Relations, 847-954-3188, micheleg@ashi.org MEMBERSHIP & PRODUCT ORDERS Jen Gallegos, Manager of Membership Services & U.S. DOE Home Energy Score Assessor Coordinator, 847-954-3185, jeng@ashi.org Janet George, Membership Services Project Coordinator 847-954-3180, janetg@ashi.org George Herrera, Membership Services Coordinator 847-954-3196, georgeh@ashi.org
DIRECTORS
Michael Burroughs 2019-2021 Monroe, LA, 318-376-0482 mike.qedservice@gmail.com
ASHI STAFF
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Michael Krauszowski, Membership Services Administrator 847-954-3175, Michaelk@ashi.org Gaby Nava, Membership Services Administrator 847-954-3176, Gabyn@ashi.org ACCOUNTING Toni Fanizza, Accounting, Purchasing & Human Resources Manager 847-954-3190, tonif@ashi.org Beverly Canham, Financial Assistant, 847-954-3184 beverlyc@ashi.org WEBSITE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS, DATABASE Mike Rostescu, Assistant Executive Director & Director of IT 847-954-3189, miker@ashi.org COMMUNICATIONS Dave Kogan, Director of Marketing & Business Development Advertising, IW Expo Hall, Public Relations 847-954-3187, davek@ashi.org Kate Laurent, Design & Digital Strategy Manager, “ASHI Reporter” Art Director, 847-954-3179, katel@ashi.org Chris Karczewski, Social Media & Digital Strategist 847-954-3183 chrisk@ashi.org George Ilavsky, Graphic Designer & Free Logos, “ASHI Reporter” Assistant Art Director, georgei@ashi.org THE ASHI SCHOOL Michelle Santiago, Education Manager, 847-954-3198 Michelle@theashischool.com Janna Grosso, Education Coordinator, 847-954-3181 jgrosso@theashischool.com Rhonda Robinett, Marketing and Communications Specialist 847-954-3194 Rhonda@theashischool.com
ASHI MEMBERSHIP 3,472
7,838 1,675
3,963 226 ASHI Inspectors
152
MIDWEST
1,987
Ohio has the highest number of ASHI Associate members, with 296 ASHI Associate members.
19%
NORTH
1,493
Pennsylvania is the U.S. state with the highest number of ACIs, 321 ASHI Certified Inspectors. Pennsylvania also has the highest number of INSPECTOR ASHI Inspectors, with 38 ASHI Inspector members.
31%
SOUTH
2,360 MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN BY STATE AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC
37 205 36 196 543 327 82 12
DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN
52 399 491 62 81 50 298 160
KS 100 KY 32 LA 31 MA 129 MD 235 ME 40 MI 228 MN 199
ASHI Associates
CANADA
26% 2%
WEST
114 ASHI Retired Members 58
MEMBERS 22%
(ACIs)
MO 341 MS 24 MT 56 NC 83 ND 13 NE 79 NH 67 NJ 234
NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI
53 15 238 502 29 78 629 16
SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA
102 7 136 104 46 381 42 198
WI 89 WV 20 WY 14 Canada152 58
PAST INSPECTIONWORLD LOCATIONS
2007 Disneyland Hotel Anaheim, CA 2008 Hilton Riverside New Orleans, LA 2009 Contemporary Hotel Orlando, FL 2010 Ballys Las Vegas, NV 2011 Hilton Atlanta, GA 2012 Biltmore Resort Phoenix, AZ 2013 Bally’s Las Vegas, NV 2014 Renaissance Nashville, TN 2015 Marriot Downtown Philadelphia, PA 2016 Town & Country Resort San Diego, CA 2017 Bally’s Las Vegas, NV 2018 Caribe Royale Orlando, FL 2019 Town & Country Resort San Diego, CA
*Membership numbers are subject to change NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH By Sally Chapralis REPRINTED FROM APRIL 2015
Home inspectors appreciate the recognition of National Home Inspection Month, which reflects the importance of our profession. Back in 2015, we asked four ASHI members– founders and early members–to discuss their considerable home inspection experience before and after ASHI was established. All proud home inspectors, each offered To find and meet other home or building inspectors, Ron began by having his young daughter Donna look in the phone books (you reunique and rewarding approaches and member those) for any other home inspectors she could find. They were inspiring perspectives.
invited to a meeting. “It started with six to ten of us who met two or three times in my office in Stamford, CT. Then, as more inspectors joined us, we moved our meeting venue to White Plains, NY, always adding new inspectors and talking about forming a professional association.”
RONALD J. PASSARO
ASHI Charter Member #1 FOUNDER AND FIRST PRESIDENT “When I started my business in 1975, the term ‘home inspection’ did not seem to exist. I was a home builder and inspected my homes and other homes if asked. I didn’t know any home inspectors, an association did not exist, there were no standards and the real estate field was not welcoming,” recalls Ronald J. Passaro, first President of ASHI, founder of Res-I-Tec, Inc. home inspection company based in Danbury, CT, and founder of the American Society of Home Inspectors. 6
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
One of the first things that had to be established was to identify what qualified one as a home inspector. “Remember, there were no books, schools or exchange of knowledge at that time. That was accomplished by combining formal education with life experiences. Another document we needed was a Code of Ethics, which would protect the consumers who would trust in our services. We also began work on a Standard of Practice and establishing most of the committees that were needed to form a professional group. At this point in time, there was no other avenue to further our home inspection education, so we did this among ourselves by sharing knowledge with each other at each meeting. Still doing it today.
“The first name we gave for our group was the Tri-State Organization of Home Inspectors. Realizing that name was too limiting, it then became the American Society of Home Inspectors. We were operating on a shoestring budget and when we ran out of money, each of the directors put up $500 to keep ASHI afloat. We were functioning for about two years when we heard that there was another group out of Rutgers University trying to form a group of home inspectors. The officers from the ASHI group went to the meeting at Rutgers and were able to convince the new group to join forces with us, which they did.
INSPECTORS WHO HAD OPERATED IN A VACUUM AND FELT AS ALONE AS I DID AND HAD NO ONE TO CONSULT WITH COULD NOW DISCUSS HOME INSPECTION CHALLENGES WITH OTHER ASHI INSPECTORS, AND BENEFIT FROM ASHI EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, BOOKS, STANDARDS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. ASHI MEMBERSHIP & PUBLIC AWARENESS INCREASES At the Rutgers meeting, we met Dr. Joe McNeil and Ken Austin, who later went on to form the Housemaster franchise. We all knew and realized we needed a professional national standard of practice that could be followed by all home inspectors if we were to be recognized as a professional organization.” Because the enthusiastic and dedicated growing group of home inspectors knew they needed direction about creating an association and standard of practice, Dr. McNeil organized arrangements with Rutgers to hold ASHI’s first national conference in 1976. It was held at Rutgers University School of Engineering, which could accommodate 100 attendees. “There we were, 100 people meeting other home inspectors for the first time in our lives. It was an incredible experience. The purpose of this meeting was to collect data from the home inspectors to incorporate into the Standard of Practice.
John Heyn was selected as Chair of the Standards Committee, which included 12 other members who met once a month in New York City. In 1977, the group returned to Rutgers to introduce to the world the first Standard of Practice and Ethics for home inspectors, and it is still basically the same.” Because home inspectors worked all over the country, the founders knew they needed local chapters. The Metropolitan New York chapter was established before ASHI officially became an association. Chapters quickly formed around the country, starting with the New England and Connecticut chapters.
Now that ASHI was established and home inspectors were communicating with each other, “we had to increase awareness of home inspections and their importance. After all, as we know, our house is the largest investment we will make in our life.
“Caveat Emptor, Let the Buyer Beware” should remind us of the importance of a home inspection, particularly back then, when realtors representing homesellers did not suggest or encourage inspections. Relatives would contact me about looking at a house before they bought it, but most people didn’t think of it. “Today, because of home inspections, the United States housing stock has improved. Prior to home inspections, once a home was inspected by the local building code inspector, it was never looked at again by a professional. In many locations, not even this minimal code inspection was performed.
Earlier in my career, I would frequently find conditions that could be classified as life-threatening, particularly when it came to combustion-type equipment. Now, for the most part, homes do get looked at by a professional home inspector during the real estate sale process. This is not for compliance to the local building code, as this would not apply to most of the homes we look at, but to the home inspector standard. “ASHI members, however, have their own inspection guidelines, codes and Standard of Practice: Is a system performing its intended function safely?”
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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BECAUSE THE COST OF HOUSING HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, AND NEW SYSTEMS HAVE EVOLVED, HOME INSPECTIONS ARE EVEN MORE CRITICAL NOW. SO IS ASHI, ITS STANDARDS AND ITS ONGOING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES. For example, in 1971, Ralph Nader, early in his career as a consumer advocate, asked John to perform home inspections for him and his parents. Then, in 1973, John was asked to testify during a hearing for the proposed Truth-In-Housing Act that would require home inspections of every house being sold.
JOHN HEYN
ASHI Charter Member #5 SECOND PRESIDENT OF ASHI “I started my home building and contracting business in the 1960s. Young friends buying their first house would ask me for advice on its construction. Their feedback encouraged me, in 1968, to launch John J. Heyn Associates to serve the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas. I charged $35 for an inspection and soon raised it to $55 after a client said it was the best $35 he had ever spent.” John marketed his home inspection business with a brochure–Buying a Home? We Inspect Everything–and through advertising. His ran his first ad in 1968–“Be Sure Before You Buy”–in the Baltimore Sun. A Wall Street Journal article featured him in an article, “The High Risks Inherent in Buying Home Mean Business for Some New Firms.” “When I started to advertise, real estate agents mostly offered critical comments. But, when one agent suggested that her daughter and sonin-law get a home inspection, I knew I was on the right track. My business grew steadily–much to my mother-in-law’s surprise!” By the early 1970s, John’s company became the National Home Inspection Service, a franchise in 16 cities. His new, more visible company and John’s proximity to Washington, D.C., also led to interesting and national challenges in home inspection…even before ASHI was established. 8
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
“The bill was initiated by U.S. Sen. Philip Hart from Michigan to address issues of full disclosure, and I was asked to testify because of my home inspection experience and ownership of a franchise. After the hearing and before the vote, Sen. Hart died and the bill didn’t pass.”
John did have success with what became known as the “Heyn Clause” by realtors in the Baltimore–Washington area. It was inserted into the sales contracts that “the sale was contingent upon a home inspection report satisfactory to the buyer or all deposits were to be refunded.
TIME FOR ASHI Ron Passaro had seen the Wall Street Journal article about John’s home inspection services. When Ron was searching for other home inspectors in 1976, he contacted John to help set up a national association of home inspectors.
“I went to the first meetings at Rutgers University, where we discussed formation of an association. By 1976, ASHI was established, and Ron and the other home inspectors asked me to serve as Chair of the Standards Committee to develop Standard of Practice (SoP) and Ethics. It took a year to develop the SoP and introduce it to ASHI members. “I then became ASHI’s second President, after Ron Passaro, serving in 1978 and 1979.” While John Heyn sold the National Home Inspection Service in 1991, he stays on top of home inspections. “Because the cost of housing has increased substantially and new systems have evolved, home inspections are even more critical now. So is ASHI, its Standards and its ongoing educational activities and resources.”
I UNDERSTOOD MY FUTURE AND HOME INSPECTION BECAME MY PASSION. I WAS HOOKED!
MARVIN GOLDSTEIN
ASHI Member #32 2012 ASHI PRESIDENT
Note: Marvin Goldstein was interviewed for this article in 2015. He referenced his father, Milton Goldstein, who died in 2018. The ASHI Foundation recently established the Milton Goldstein Educational Award in his honor. See page 28 of this issue for more information.
“I’m proud to be a Charter Member of ASHI. I’m also proud of my father, Milton Goldstein, who is the oldest home inspector in the United States. He will turn 100 this year and continues to inspire me,” Marvin Goldstein explains. “While my dad earned a degree in Engineering in 1937 during the Great Depression, he always received requests for home inspections. This led him to establish Building Inspection Service (BISCO) in 1938. BISCO is the oldest home inspection company in the United States.
Marv discovered that, in almost 100 out of 200 houses, either the specified rehab work hadn’t been done, was only partially completed or hadn’t been done as specified. This new relationship with HUD led to Marv being asked to accompany a HUD inspector in 1973 to a house with a serious lead-based paint problem that had poisoned the baby of the new owners. This experience so troubled Marv that he studied the problem, borrowed one of the first portable X-Ray fluorescent analyzers from Princeton Gamma Tech and inspected for free about 100 vacant FHA-repossessed properties to learn the extent of the problem. Again, to make a long story short, this led to Marv testifying before a congressional committee, along with the HUD Secretary, about the extent of the lead-based paint poisoning problem and the need to ban the sale of lead-based paint starting in 1978. President Nixon threatened to veto that legislation. But when it was approved by Congress with large majorities, and faced with impeachment, Nixon signed the legislation. This resulted in BISCO obtaining its first million-plus HUD inspection contract.
RONALD PASSARO AND ASHI CALL
“After I graduated from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in 1965, and attended two years of law school and taught for two years, Dad asked me to join him as a home inspector in 1970. There was a new requirement that all Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured single-family properties would have to be inspected by an experienced inspector. His reasoning was that FHA offered a new home inspection opportunity with great career potential. How did I qualify as an experienced inspector? Well, I accompanied my father on approximately 50 home inspections and consulted with him thereafter whenever I had technical questions.
When Ron Passaro called Marv about meeting to discuss a new professional society for home inspectors, Marv asked the other inspectors in the Philadelphia area to join this effort to create a new profession. “Given my passion for home inspections, my dad’s history and experience, and the fact that, in 1976, the home inspection industry needed more public awareness and development of industry standards, I was enthusiastic. What happened next was no less than the creation of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). “I would like to especially recognize Professor Dr. Joe McNeil, who was like a general guiding us through the creation of our Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice at our initial meeting in 1976.
When interest rates moved up and the home inspection business slowed down in 1973, Marv went to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) repossessed property division and asked, “Do you need home inspection services?” This started an inspection relationship with HUD that has lasted now for more than 40 years. He found out about a fraudulent practice with these FHA-repossessed houses.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for all that ASHI has brought into both my professional and personal life. I highly recommend ASHI to all inspectors for the professional status (its testing, experience and ethical requirements) it brings to your career, and the many peers and mentors you will meet who bring important information and great friendship into your life. ASHI raises the bar of the entire inspection profession!”
“I understood my future and home inspection became my passion.” I was hooked!”
“I’ve been to every InspectionWorld® (IW) except one in Boston. I was honored to be elected by you and served as your President in 2012.
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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ASHI RESPONDS TO “PIONEERS” WITH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
JOHN PALCZUK
ASHI Member #288 1998 ASHI PRESIDENT “I will never stop working. Although I sold my home inspection company about 10 years ago and now focus on real estate, I’m a home inspector at heart and appreciative of my rewarding ASHI experience.”
In 1981, after teaching “shop” at a high school in New Jersey, John realized that this wasn’t the right career for him. He had always been interested in housing and construction, and he had been involved in bath and kitchen remodeling during nights and weekends. “Around that time, I had a conversation with Ken Austin, who started one of the first home inspection franchises, AMC House Master of America, in Bound Brook, NJ. He suggested that I go on a few ride-alongs with some of his inspectors. I met his partner, Joe McNeill, fell in love with home inspections and the rest, as they say, is history.” However, after visiting parents in North Carolina, John and his wife, Karen, realized they wanted to live in a warmer climate. In 1982, they moved to the Raleigh- Durham area and he joined ASHI. After working for another home inspection company, John established his own company, Carolina Home Inspection Associates, in 1983. He also helped launch the North Carolina ASHI Chapter in the mid‘80s, then known as the Atlantic Coast Chapter. This began the era of volunteering on the state and national level. “Two years later, I started a second company that focused on homebuilding, John J. Palczuk Builders. I ran both companies for the next 25+ years. Both professions fit so well together and provided a great deal of challenge. I truly feel I had quite a blessed career.” 10
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
“As home inspectors and pioneers in a new industry, it was both rewarding and scary at the same time. I had a thirst to learn more and we all valued ASHI’s Standard and Code of Ethics, educational activities and goals, and local chapter connections. When the pressure from the state of North Carolina started in the early ’90s to license home inspectors we decided we needed to be an integral part of the process. Another ASHI member, Steve Smallman, and I volunteered to help author the legislation to license home inspectors in North Carolina. We were determined that the North Carolina licensing law would include the ASHI Standards and Code of Ethics. Most states since have adopted ASHI Standards or a variation thereof.”
John is a firm believer in mentoring because it helped him learn so much in the early years. “There weren’t any home inspection schools available in the very early years of the profession, so we really had to lean on each other. Everybody had a strength and weakness, so you would help them and they would help you. That’s what made ASHI so special for me. Every day, I would learn something new and that was just fascinating.” He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, as well as coaching and fundraising at the YMCA.
In addition to serving as ASHI President and other local chapter posts, John’s involvement in ASHI includes:
Ironman Award: During his term as President, John established the Ironman Award, which recognizes a member who has labored quietly in the background, with great dedication, giving of his or her time, energy, talent and determination to ASHI over a long period of time with little recognition.
Monahan Award: John received the Monahan Award in 2000. It is ASHI’s most prestigious honor, and recognizes an ASHI member who is dedicated to its goals and ideals as stated in the Code of Ethics, and who, as a member, has rendered outstanding contributions of time, talent and expertise to the Society for a minimum of five years. “The lifelong friendships that I developed are the benefit of membership that goes well beyond words. I am thankful for these friends and experiences every day of my life, and smile as I fondly think of those who are no longer with us.”
Inspect Our New Home NEW WEBSITE. NEW TOOLS FOR YOUR TRADE. • NHIE Study Curriculum • NHIE Exam Registration Information • Professional Inspectors Database • Communications & Marketing Toolkit
HomeInspectionExam.org NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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Managing Risk
THREE INSPECTION PHOTOS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO MANAGE YOUR RISK By InspectorPro Insurance
Note: This article was originally published on the InspectorPro Insurance website.
n North Carolina, a home inspector performed an inspection on a property Iinspector that had been vacant for about 18 months. During the home inspection, the ran the water in the various fixtures, including the shower directly above the kitchen. The inspector photographed the kitchen, including the ceiling, which, at the time, showed no signs of any deficiencies.
Upon moving in, the clients found a large water stain above the kitchen sink and below the master bath’s shower. The fact that the stain was dry created some suspicion as to how long the stain had been present. The claimants alleged that the stain must have been there all along. However, the inspection photos showed the exact area now exhibiting a water stain. The photos revealed that there was no staining at the time of the inspection. It was possible that the shower test caused the water damage. However, the inspector could not be responsible for the damage caused during the course of normal inspection operations.
THE POWER OF INSPECTION PHOTOS In case you haven’t heard it enough, here’s the old adage again: A picture is worth 1,000 words. In an industry like home inspections, photos can do wonders. They can help inspection clients understand your findings and put them into context. They can bring reports filled with descriptions laced with technical jargon to life. In our article“How to Write a Report That Clients Understand,” (https://bit. ly/2XB3Hzg) Barry Wong, Owner of Building Specs Hawaii, LLC (http://buildingspecshawaii.com/), shared how photos are in both the client’s and your best interest. “We document everything with pictures to back up what we’re actually saying,” Wong said. “That makes it easier for the client to understand what’s actually happening, [which]…makes my job much easier, too.” From a risk-management perspective, photos can prove what was there on the day of the inspection—and what wasn’t. As insurance providers to home inspectors, our philosophy is that you cannot take too many pictures. The more pictures you have, the more evidence we can have to defend you against meritless claims. 12
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
A CAUTIONARY TALE Unfortunately, few home inspectors take enough pictures. In a claim that is still being resolved, the claimants allege that the inspector failed to identify wood rot in a window. Based on the photographs the claimants provided, it appeared that the inspector may have, in fact, missed the wood rot. After all, the rot was in an area that should have been readily identifiable at the time of the inspection. We spoke with the inspector, who asserted that the wood rot wasn’t visually identifiable during the inspection. However, the home inspector could not provide any photographs proving that the wood rot wasn’t visible at the time of the inspection. Unfortunately, the home inspector did not have a single picture of the window in question. The inspector’s defense: “I only take photographs of deficiencies. If I do not have a photograph, then there was no deficiency.” Without evidence, it’s difficult to prove that the condition didn’t exist at the time of the inspection. Luckily for the inspector, our claims professionals did some research of their own. Our team discovered photographs of the window in the property listing online. While the photographs are not of the highest resolution, they show that the window did not exhibit any evidence of wood rot at the time the listing photos were taken prior to the inspection. Thus, the listing photographs provide significant assistance to our claims team in preparing their argument. However, photographs from the day of the inspection are always more compelling. In addition, the home inspector is lucky that our claims team was able to find photographs of the window in question at all. As follows, it’s imperative that home inspectors take as many photographs of the inspection as they can lest they fall victim to chance.
Managing Risk
THREE INSPECTION PHOTOS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO MANAGE YOUR RISK Below is a review of a few of the essential, but often overlooked, inspection photos you should take at your inspections. While not technically exhaustive, this list serves as a reminder of what a powerful risk management tool inspection photos can be. After all, one of these inspection photos could help you stifle a claim.
THE NON-DEFECT AREA: As a home inspector, it’s your job to visually ex-
THE INACCESSIBLE SPACE: On occasion, weather, the owner’s belong-
ings or safety issues inhibit your ability to inspect a space. Perhaps rain makes it unsafe to climb up and inspect the roof. Or maybe piles of boxes are blocking your access to the attic. Alternatively, perhaps the crawlspace has too little clearance to enter. Whatever the reason, it’s important to photograph just what is inhibiting you from inspecting the area and explain the reason in your report. Failure to do so could lead clients to second-guess whether the area really was inaccessible or your responsibility to investigate anyway.
amine and report on the home’s physical structure and systems. For many home inspectors, that starts and ends with discovering and describing defects. However, non-defect areas are important to photograph, too. While they may not end up in your report, pictures of non-defect areas provide a snapshot in time. They testify to the home’s condition on the day of the inspection. That documentation can assist you in defending against allegations regarding defects that occurred post-inspection.
Three months following his inspection of a 111-year-old property in Washington, a home inspector received a complaint. The claimants alleged that he had failed to identify broken and insufficient floor framing. Furthermore, the claimants demanded that the inspector pay for renovations so that the property could meet current building and regulatory codes. A foundation contractor provided a bid of more than $30,000 to repair and replace the structural deficiencies.
Both of the examples provided thus far illustrate how important it is to photograph non-defect areas. In his article for the Spring 2017 issue of the Florida Association of Building Inspectors’ (FABI) Florida’s Inspection Voice (https:// bit.ly/2CPsDY4), former InspectorPro Program Director Ryan Osborne shared an additional example:
The home inspector’s report provided a strong defense. In the inspection report, the inspector identified several structural deficiencies. In addition, he noted that insulation limited visibility to the foundation and floor framing components. Furthermore, based on the claimants’ photographs of the claimed structural damage, two of the allegedly broken beams were, in fact, separate beams without defects. With his evidence in hand, we denied the home inspector’s liability and offered no settlement to the claimants. The insurance claim closed at no cost to the inspector.
A client complains about an issue that you are certain was not present during your inspection. This does not refer to a hidden defect, but something that you definitely would have noticed if it was present during the inspection. Your first step to explain or refute the issue would be to review the photos you took during the inspection. Some inspectors take only pictures of the problem areas, so consequently, there may not be a record of the non-problem area. Taking photos of areas that don’t have issues is a cheap and easy way to avoid frivolous claims in the future. Thus, be sure to take pictures of not just what’s wrong with the property, but what’s right. After all, you never know if the client will point the finger at you when functioning systems go awry in the future.
THE CONCEALED AREA: Whether accidentally or purposely, sellers, buyers
and agents may conceal areas of the property. Furniture and belongings often obscure your view, giving you an incomplete picture of the property. While you’re only responsible for inspecting what’s visually identifiable, it helps to be able to prove what was and what wasn’t visible at the time of the inspection. In Louisiana, claimants alleged that an inspector failed to identify water intrusion in the property’s hallway. The evidence of water intrusion was located in an area that the seller’s belongings concealed (presumably intentionally) and the inspector’s photographs proved it. Not included within the inspection report, but contained within the photographs the insured retained for their own records, was a picture of the exact area in question. The photograph illustrates that, at the time of the inspection, the sellers had placed a rack and a blanket directly in front of the area that evidenced the existence of water intrusion. The insured’s photograph clearly shows that the area was concealed and, thus, not readily identifiable. We denied the inspector’s liability with no offer of settlement on the insured’s behalf.
Be sure to photograph partially or fully inaccessible spaces to defend your business from potential liability.
KEY TAKEAWAYS It may seem tedious taking photo after photo. However, inspection photos are one of the best ways to manage risk. Don’t let your next allegation be a battle of “he said, she said.” Take lots of pictures so that you have a photo to back you up in every scenario. While inspection photos provide fantastic defense, they cannot always prevent clients from filing claims in the first place. That’s why it’s so important to carry errors and omissions (E&O) and general liability (GL) insurance to protect your home inspection business. If you’re already insured with InspectorPro Insurances, be sure to complete your annual renewals on time to avoid a lapse in coverage. If you’re not one of our insureds, but would like to be, simply apply today (https://bit.ly/2NHa0wD) for a no-obligation quote.
UP NEXT MONTH: WOOD ROT CLAIMS InspectorPro Insurance is ASHI’s one and only Premier Insurance Partnership. Through risk management education, pre-claims assistance and straightforward coverage, InspectorPro gives you peace of mind and unparalleled protection. Learn more and apply for a quote at inspectorproinsurance.com.
In another claim, the clients alleged that the home inspector did not report the water damage to a specific area of their hardwood floors. Upon reviewing the inspection photos, the home inspector found that, at the time of inspection, a large potted plant was sitting in that same water=damaged area. The photograph proved that the inspector couldn’t have seen the signs of water damage during the inspection. Furthermore, it revealed that the plant caused the damage. In both of these cases, inspection photos of the concealed areas bolstered the inspectors’ defenses. Without photographic evidence, it would have been the claimants’ words against the inspectors’. NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
13
HOME ENERGY SCORE UPDATE
ENHANCEMENTS JUST IN TIME FOR THE BUSY INSPECTION SEASON By ASHI Staff
NEW WORK FROM DOE AND ID ENERGY BRINGS BETTER SERVICES TO HOMEBUYERS AND HOME INSPECTORS ALIKE. CLOSING THE LOOP ON HOME ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS The Home Energy Score has always stood on two firm legs in terms of what it offers homebuyers: • an accurate snapshot of a home’s current energy
performance, including expected utility costs • a customized list of the most cost-effective improvements that a new homeowner can make to improve their home’s energy efficiency in the smartest way possible Although those features have proven to be valuable to homebuyers across the country and profitable for home inspectors to deliver, the homebuyer has always been left with the daunting tasks of finding the right contractor to make those improvements and making sure that the improvements are done according to the industry’s best practices.
As most inspectors know all too well, there’s a big difference between a contractor who is committed to doing the best possible job for their client, and one who just wants to do the job and move on. The results of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) studies show that when it comes to energy-related projects like new HVAC or insulation jobs, that difference is especially stark. As a means of steering homeowners toward the all-star contractors, the DOE has introduced a series of guides that can be included with the Home Energy Score Report. These guides for homeowners explain the following: • how to plan home energy improvement projects
• w hy it’s important that these projects are done in a certain way by a certain type of contractor • w hich details about the project are the most important The DOE sees these “Home Improvement Expert Factsheets” as an important third leg to fulfill the full potential of the Home Energy Score Report. These highly anticipated documents will prove meaningful to home inspectors who are fully aware of the pitfalls of choosing the wrong contractor but are understandably reluctant to invite the liability associated with providing referrals for specific contractors on home improvement projects.
Inspectors can deliver these factsheets to match the project recommendations included in the HES report and when they have particular expertise about the project in question or the contractor pool in their market, they can guide homebuyers toward specific items on the checklist to focus on, ensuring that their clients will have successful projects and a high degree of satisfaction with the inspection process overall.
FACTSHEET
Attic Air Sealing
roving ty costs while imp can reduce utili and insulation , attic air sealing Done correctly bility. quality, and dura air or and indo , comfort ing air barriers cracks, and miss in hot extensive holes, ther, heat gain attics may have loss in cold wea s and In older homes, unwanted heat uncontrolled leak lation that allow nd. Air sealing -rou year insufficient insu ctive ants n of contamin the most cost-effe ratio of infilt one is and e , hom ing weather heating and cool the attic and the een your ce betw n redu can and adding insulatio performance. It moisture, dust, ove your home’s aminants such as measures to impr lems. drafts, keep cont fort by stopping ted durability prob com -rela ove ture impr , mois bills e, and reduce hom your ring pests from ente
BENEFITS
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
ROVEMENT
WHY HOME IMP EXPERT?
get a quality job. An easy way to reveal significantly Research findings ntial savings and pote reduced energy where home risks ance perform installed. erly prop not are improvements ners address this To help homeow Energy Department of challenge, the U.S. guidance ld-class expert wor has compiled nal natio ers and from industry lead checklists factsheets and laboratories in ment Home Improve under the name rage leve can ners Expert. Homeow help mmendations to these expert reco g llation by attachin ensure quality insta klists to chec ert Exp t men Home Improve the vendor s and ensuring vendor contract before signs the checklist completes and k. accepting the wor
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RELATED HOME
TIPS FOR HIRING
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ors. certified contract sed, insured, and ent web sites. Look for licen on home improvem es and reviews Check referenc ing. writ in bids on programs for Get multiple ral weatherizati , local, and fede utility and state Check with your s. racts to ensure ntive ince cont in bids and rebates and Expert™ checklist e Improvement rgy Include the Hom ified Home Ene n. cert ) llatio NET insta quality Network (RES Building Energy Services tute (BPI) certified g a Residential Performance Insti itect) to inspect Consider usin S) rater, Building engineer or arch (HER sed em licen ., Syst ng (e.g nal Rati r qualified professio Analyst, or othe the work.
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accompanying This factsheet and 20 one of more than checklist cover the U.S. ents covered by ovem impr e hom e Improvement Hom gy Ener of Department energy mize opti to help Expert. Use them related ove performance savings and impr . ty, and durability safe th, heal to comfort, . r checklists: www To download othe ergysaver/hom energy.gov/ene pert improvement-ex ent ed home improvem For more customiz : recommendations e Scor rgy Ene e Get your Hom (assessor www. from a qualified .gov) homeenergyscore rt assessment Schedule an expe ormance with Perf through Home ® gov/ (www.energystar. ENERGY STAR ). homeperformance
BROUGHT TO
Learn more:
PNNL-SA-139942 Energy’s December 2018 Department of s, visit the U.S. . ysaver For more resource OF ITS PART NERS .energy.gov/energ www ICES OF ANY at SERV r OR , Save UCTS Home Energy THE WOR K, PROD OR ENDO RSE RTME NT THE U.S. DEPA
14
and Insulation
T OF ENERGY U.S. DEPARTMEN MENT EXPERT™ VE RO IMP ME HO
NOT WARR ANT OF ENER GY DOES
YOU BY
Home Energy Score Update
FACTSHEET
General Resources
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HOME IMPROVEMENT EXPERT™
Find checklists and factsh eets on these other home improvement topics at https://www.energ y.gov/energysaver/ener gy-saver
PROPER SEQUENCING
OF HOME IMPROVEM
ENTS
Through the U.S. Depar tment of Energy’s Buildi ng America research program, exper t guidance has been devel oped for optimizing whole-house energy-efficiency upgra des. This includes a recommended sequence for home impro vements (shown below) to help ensur e homeowners get the CHEC most out of KLIST their upgrade investments while minimizing potential harm from safety, indoor air quality, and moisture issues.
ENCLOSURE UPGRADES Attic Air Sealing and Insula
tion
Attic Air Sealing and Insulation
Basement Wall Insulation Framed Wall Insulation Masonry Wall Insulation
STEP 1: ENSURE SAFE
te ations that can contribute to a comple checklist includes important specific and all This U.S. Department of Energy all relevant codes and standards, comply with these specifications, shall work and date All sign ion. and installat below and quality each box on the checklist ions. The contractor shall check manufacturer installation instruct completed. is work the certify to bottom at the
AND DURABLE
Have experts assess oppor tunities to improve energ y efficiency and identify comfo rt, moisture managemen t, health, and safety issues .
Home Air Sealing Vented to Unvented Attic Vented to Unvented Crawl
PREPARATION
Space
STEP 2: ENSURE FRES
Window Replacement
repairs shall be provided to pest damage. A list of all needed leaks and moisture, structural, or The attic shall be inspected for water addressed as necessary. begins so remediation can be fully the homeowner before attic work shall be addressed before issues ion soffit vents). Ventilat t attic ventilation (e.g., ridge vents, The attic shall be inspected for sufficien or insulation. proceeding with attic air sealing or properly boxed. not be installed until wiring is replaced present in the attic, insulation shall asbestos. If there is active knob and tube wiring is vermiculite, which may contain n insulatio existing if proceed Work shall not not into the attic. as required to vent to the outside, All exhaust fans shall be modified home to ensure there is no combustion equipment exists in the draft natural any if ed perform proceeding with attic work. A combustion safety test shall be issues shall be addressed before tion emissions. Any combustion safety backdrafting or spillage of combus for air sealing. aside moved or d remove be to existing insulation is The contractor shall state whether
H AIR
Ensure effective ventilation before
HEATING & COOLING Air Conditioner Replacemen
t
increasing air tightness.
STEP 3: ENSURE MOIS
TURE CONTROL
Gas Furnace Replacemen
Ensure adequate water protection before reduc ing the ability of walls to dry by addin g air sealing and insulation.
t
Heat Pump Replacemen
t
Duct Sealing and Insula
tion
STEP 4: ENSURE DRAF
T-FREE
Oil or Gas Boiler Replacemen
t
Capture air sealing oppor tunities not accessible after insulation is installed.
HOT WATER HEATING
RS PRIOR TO INSULATION
ATTIC AIR SEALING AND AIR BARRIE
Gas Tank Water Heater
STEP 5: ENSURE THER
Gas Tankless Water Heate
MAL COMFORT
r
Insulate at least to the latest national code recommend ations for your location after addre ssing related safety, indoo r air quality, and moisture manag ement issues.
Heat Pump Water Heate
r
FRESH AIR SYSTEM Bathroom Exhaust Fan
ANYTIME: EQUIPMENT
Kitchen Exhaust Fan
UPGRADES
Replace heating and coolin g equipment, water heate rs, windows, appliances, lightin g, fans, and electronics when they fail or become out of date with ENERGY STAR® qualified products or bette r, and improve systems to operate more efficiently.
Balanced HRV/ERV Balanced Supply plus Exhau
st
Supply Integrated with HVAC
CHECKLIST
CONTINUED ling and Insulation
Attic Air Sea
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
HOME IMPROVEMENT EXPERT™
OF ENERGY U.S. DEPARTMENT NT EXPERT™
HOME IMPROVEME
lighting fixtures, itioned space (such as gaps around aerosol sealant) if tions between conditioned and uncond All gaps, cracks, seams, and penetra with sealants alone (e.g., caulk, foam, g pipes, and flues) shall be sealed turer’s instructions. plumbin manufac wiring, sealant electric the per boots, , HVAC duct l sealed in place with sealants materia blocking rigid with or the gaps are narrow enough and shall not be used for air sealing. Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier the attic side with a caulk, exterior walls shall be sealed from to the top plate at all interior and The seams where drywall attaches sealant. applied sprayeror foam, spray the tops of balloon-framed openings under knee walls or at as uncovered dropped soffits and with caulk, sealant, or Larger gaps and openings (such or OSB that is sealed at the edges a solid material such as rigid foam gable walls) shall be closed off using mastic. or foam and insulation with high-temperature-rated caulk requirements. or gas appliance vents shall be sealed Gaps around masonry chimneys ls in accordance with building code as needed using heat-safe materia them around ted construc be dams shall n and gasketed (not minimum of R-10 rigid foam insulatio wn stairs shall be insulated with a drop-do and doors, panels, Attic access air seal when closed. caulked) to provide a continuous at all seams with sealed is that foam, l such as drywall or rigid shall be boxed with a solid materia All non-ICAT recessed light fixtures spray foam. a sealant such as caulk, mastic, or soffits to prevent air flow at all attic eaves adjoining vented extend at insulation, baffles shall be installed to the ridge vents. The baffles shall Before installing fibrous attic floor for ventilation air from the soffit vents path a provide to and n insulatio through the the attic insulation. least 6 inches above the height of
ATTIC INSULATION
For more resources, visit in the home to the U.S. IONINtment G ustion equipment exists of Energy’s Home Energy Saver at COMMISSDepar if any natural draft comb www.energy.gov/energ PNNL shall be performed -SA-139942 ysave comb r ustion safety test After completion, a December 2018 or spillage. actual air flow shall be there is no backdrafting . If one is present, the ensure
tion system installing a new of a whole-house ventila homeowner for either ted for the presence shall be made to the 013-compliant if The home shall be inspec ASHRAE 62.2-2013. Recommendations to be ASHRAE 62.2-2 meet ing an existing system tested and verified to is not present, or repair ompliant system if one ASHRAE 62.2-2013-c letion of the the homeowner at comp to ed provid be airflow is not adequate. kit shall Zone 1, a radon test Protection Agency Radon In U.S. Environmental work.
dropped ceilings, and any shaft walls, vertical portions of all be installed at attic knee walls, skylight shall be fully sealed with Continuous R-19 insulation shall penetrations in the wall air barrier ned space. All joints, cracks, and other vertical wall adjoining conditio caulk, foam, or equivalent. than 2% gaps, voids, and g the conditioned space with less at all flat and sloped surfaces adjoinin Conservation Code. Attic insulation shall be installed d by the 2012 International Energy exceed prescriptive levels specifie or meet full depth. that verify levels to at rulers and compressions ecified density with attic and conform to manufacturer-sp All attic insulation shall be uniform
Department of Energy’s For more resources, visit the U.S. at basc.energy.gov Building America Solution Center
PNNL-SA-139925 December 2018
ITS PARTNERS . S, OR SERVICES OF ANY OF OR ENDORSE THE WORK, PRODUCT ENERGY DOES NOT WARRANT THE U.S. DEPARTM ENT OF
above checked items on the ledge and ability, all to the best of my know home upgrade. I hereby certify that, of completion of this accomplished as part checklist have been / / Date: Contractor Signature:
BROUGHT TO YOU
BY
Look for more updates to come from ASHI on how to make sure that the Home Improvement Expert Factsheets become a valuable part of your customer service experience.
Learn more:
on:
Contracting Organizati
of Energy’s visit the U.S. Department .gov For more resources, nergy on Center at basc.e Building America Soluti
PNNL-SA-139925 December 2018
RS. OF ANY OF ITS PARTNE CTS, OR SERVIC ES THE WORK, PRODU NT OR ENDOR SE Y DOES NOT WARRA MENT OF ENERG THE U.S. DEPART
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
15
Home Energy Score Update
HOME ENERGY SCORE UPDATE CONTINUED
ID ENERGY’S NEW INSPECTOR SUCCESS PACKAGES MEAN BETTER NETWORKING, MARKETING AND TRACKING OF THE HES IMPACT Our partners at ID Energy have established themselves as the industry’s leader in plugging inspectors into the business-building Home Energy Score program through their streamlined and affordable onboarding and compliance (that’s Training, Mentorship and Quality Assurance) services. Inspectors who are providing Home Energy Scores through ID Energy have long appreciated the reliability of these basic deliverables, but now they’re also benefiting from a new suite of services that allow ASHI Home Energy Score Certified Assessors™ to make the most of their investment in achieving that distinction.
ID Energy recently described to us the three main components in the HES value proposition to inspectors, and the serious work they’ve been doing in the off-season to see that their clients are ready this year to leverage each of those for maximum bottom-line impact. First, most successful inspectors know that their agent network is one of the biggest factors toward maintaining a consistent flow of clients, and that remaining “front of mind” with this group is a constant challenge. ID Energy keeps close contact with its network of HES Assessors and has been pleased to see that the HES has proven to be an effective “foot in the door” for inspectors who do outreach sessions with their agent networks. The DOE has always provided a “canned” presentation designed to meet this need, but ID Energy recognized that some of this well-intentioned content was too generic for an occasionally fickle agent audience.
WE NEEDED SOMETHING MORE SPECIALIZED FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS, SOMETHING THAT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO THEIR NEEDS, Brent Loya, Program Manager for ID Energy, told us. Meeting this need resulted in ID Energy developing a new agent-focused PowerPoint presentation that can be customized to specific time ranges and delivers important information to agents detailing why the Score is good for their clients and their businesses without a lot of extraneous government-speak filler. That presentation is available now, and ID Energy is on hand to help with visual co-branding and audience-specific editing services.
16
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Next on the list is a marketing task that no inspector has much time to bother with—creating effective collateral material that succinctly explains the benefits of a given service. The DOE-provided materials are adequate for this task, but again, ID Energy saw an opportunity to deliver something that would really work for the inspector industry that they know so well. Their new handouts and fliers stylishly get the key points across to agents and potential clients, while highlighting the technical expertise and credibility that the Certified Assessor™ title confers.
Finally, inspectors need certainty around the issue of whether the services they’re delivering really matter to their clients. “It’s one thing for an inspector to hear that the Score is valuable for someone else’s customers in a different market,” Loya said, “but that’s not the same as knowing for sure that your customers are valuing it.” To address that need and to enable savvy inspectors to know that they’re delivering the right mix of services, ID Energy is now providing a custom, co-branded Home Energy Score Report Template that not only livens up visual presentation of the standard (and somewhat clinical looking) Report, but also includes a section where clients are able to rate their satisfaction with the Score and provide any further comments about their experience. Feedback from buyers thus far has been very positive and now ID Energy’s network will be able to know without a doubt whether they’re making a smart move by providing the Score.
GET STARTED NOW!
Jen Gallegos (jeng@ashi.org) at ASHI HQ is always on hand to answer questions and to give encouragement to inspectors looking to get started using the Score. Or you can head right to ID Energy and get signed up at energyscoreusa.com/sign_up.php.
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NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
1717
Focus on Ethics and Morals For home inspectors, ethical and moral behavior is critical. The Reporter now publishes a monthly column, “Request for Interpretation: Ethics for Home Inspectors” that tests common questions from home inspectors and provides answers from the ASHI Ethics Commitee.
EXAMINING ETHICS & MORALS Reprinted from April 2016
BY DON LOVERING, SPEAKER OF THE CoR
Are we home inspectors who are in business or are we businesspeople who happen to be home inspectors? Do we represent an industry or a profession?
P
rofessional groups and organizations like ASHI have created and affirmed codes of ethics to which professionals who belong to these groups are expected to follow. According to the Boone and Crockett Club, the definition of ethics is “when you do the right thing when nobody is looking.” Simple, direct and to the point, just the way I like it. One definition of a profession is a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification. And one definition of industry is an economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and the manufacturing of goods in factories. So, I’d say that we are professionals working within the home inspection profession. With that established, let me review the elements that should guide inspectors in both ethical and moral determinations on a daily basis. By adhering to the guidelines listed in this article, each one of us can help elevate the home inspection profession as a whole and raise up ASHI in particular as the go-to organization for buyers and sellers of housing stock.
PERSONAL COMPETENCE. Your competence improves by gain-
ing continuing education and by playing an active role within the home inspection profession.
SELF-AWARENESS. Be the beacon (not the foghorn) in any situation. Shine and keep shining, realizing that many people are watching your actions and your delivery.
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ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Don Lovering was an ASHI Board Member and the Chief Inspector at Advantage Home Inspection, Inc., in Auburndale, MA. He still has a hard-line telephone (617-928-1942) and has been an active member of ASHI locally and nationally. Don has been a Chapter President and National Committee Chair, as well as a college professor. He is also a pastpresident of the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI). He has been published in the ASHI Reporter and testified on home inspector licensing in six states. Don’s leisure activities rotate around his farm and working with Vermont Fish and Wildlife as a volunteer instructor.
SELF-CONFIDENCE. As you continue to climb the ladder of suc-
cess, bring your knowledge to every event, function, meeting and inspection. There’s no need to be argumentative; simply state your case and move on.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. When at-
tempting to find a solution to an inspection dilemma, issue or unknown, refrain from seeking advice on chat rooms and social media. Instead, buy a relevant book, go to the manufacturer’s website, call the manufacturer’s tech department or take a class on the topic the next time you see one being offered. If you don’t know something, say, “I don’t know, but I can try to find the answer.”
EMOTIONAL AWARENESS. Staying in control of your emotions
can be difficult when someone firmly disagrees with you, especially when you are certain that you are right. Say “thank you” and move on, and remember that the pen is mightier than the sword. Your wellworded report can solidify your position on the issue, whereas any hasty words or emotional actions can destroy your position.
SELF-CONTROL. I remember a time when I heard some inspectors
comment about the abilities (or lack thereof) of another inspector. During their conversation, they named two other inspectors who they believed also agreed with their assessment. Bad-mouthing your fellow inspectors is bad business and it is the sort of behavior that’s likely to come back to bite you when you least expect it. Attempt to work from these premises: “I am confident that I offer a better product. I charge what I am worth; others can charge what they believe they are worth.”
Focus on Ethics and Morals
INNOVATION. Drones, cameras, roof walking, IR scans, radon,
MOTIVATION. Take classes, go to InspectionWorld®, attend chapter
meetings and seminars. Definitely spread the word that you are part of ASHI, the organization that has been the pinnacle of the home inspection profession for more than 40 years. Seek out your chapter’s “go-to members”—nine times out of 10, they will have answers to your questions and the experience to back it up. But also remember that you have to make an effort to get to know these and any other members—don’t expect anyone to call you every week to ask how you are doing.
OPTIMISM. For those starting out, it can be a big deal to get three,
four or five inspections in a single week. But sometimes, even after a strong series of busy weeks, the phone might stop ringing. Be patient. After 36 years working as a home inspector, I can tell you that the phone will ring again. (And when you become successful, you might find that the phone sometimes rings a little too often!)
ACHIEVEMENT AND DRIVE. Be the best you can be and be humble when you learn of a downfall. Keep sharpening your skill set every day so that you can be successful.
INITIATIVE. Hone your ability to take charge before others do. Maintain control of your inspection and the events surrounding it. Having a clear understanding of the contract and the scope of work can be paramount to your success.
COMMITMENT. Every day, commit to do the best you can for your family, your profession and your clients. Show people that they can rely on you to be at your best and to meet your commitments.
REGULATE YOURSELF. Do you think that your skill set improves
after you perform your third 4,000-square-foot, single-family home inspection of the day? If you have difficulty saying no, try raising your rates. Be the trendsetter in your area. Work half as hard and make the same income. Don’t think it will work? Try it and see. You are a professional—charge professional rates. And as mentioned previously, let others charge what they believe they are worth.
EMR surveys, lead paint…the list goes on and on. Making follow-up phone calls and thanking clients can lead to great rewards. Set yourself apart by showing your good judgment, business practices and responsibility.
ADAPTABILITY. Home inspection is a fluid profession. Failing to
adapt will leave you behind. I suspect that you don’t make it a practice to cancel inspections when it is raining or snowing or if it’s too hot, too cold or too foggy. Instead, you make adjustments and proceed with the task at hand. You are a self-starter who is motivated to succeed.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Not all inspections go well. Generally,
if a problem exists in a home, it manifests within the first year after the inspection. If you are notified or implicated, put on your business hat and determine the best way to take care of the problem. But do it wisely. A lawsuit against a home inspector in my region, for example, can go on for three to four years. Consider whether you want this issue eating at you for the next four years. Then get out in front of it and don’t get trampled.
MAINTAIN STANDARDS OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.
All too often in the quest for the buck, folks get sloppy. What might seem like a simple act can be interpreted in many different ways. Two cases in point: explaining the home’s issues to the sales professional before explaining the issues to the client. Or not engaging the client in the process during the inspection. It can benefit your practice to be familiar with the ASHI Standard of Practice, which has been and will continue to be used as the bedrock for state agencies to develop local standards. It is a living document that gets evaluated on a regular basis. With April being National Home Inspection Month, it’s a good time to reflect on these key components of practicing ethical and moral behavior and actions. Remember that each of us has a duty to provide an unbiased, objective inspection and to report our findings to the best of our ability. When your market is slow, take some time to think about what type of changes you may need to make to provide your clients with a better product and to ensure that you have fewer sleepless nights. NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
19
HOME INSPECTOR BY DAY... The client experience is so important; therefore, I tend to focus on the client’s experience with the inspection and produce materials that will help clients remember my business.
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ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
BY NIGHT
Q & A with Curtis Niles If you’ve attended InspectionWorld® in the last few years, you might have met Curtis Niles. He’s a home inspector with a not-so-hidden talent—he’s created a comic hero known as “Krome,” featured in his Armored Comic series, that helps Curtis communicate home inspection information with his current and future clients. Intrigued? Keep reading and learn more about how Curtis uses his passion for comics to market his business...
What led you to start your career in home inspection? In the late 1990s, I started noticing that the physical demands of my occupation at the time were taking a toll on my body. Then one day, I was thumbing through a trade magazine and happened to read an ad for home inspection training. As they say, “The rest is history.”
Were there any areas that you struggled with as you started out? I was relatively young (33 years old) when I began performing home inspections. I soon realized that when homebuyers called me for an inspection, they imagined that they would meet an older, well-seasoned individual, probably with gray or thinning hair, who would educate them on all the important aspects of the home that they were about to purchase. NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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Mold villian in “Spores of trouble,” Krome Issue #2...
Back then, the internet was not so widely used and clients did not have the tools available that they do today to research an inspector fully before hiring him or her. Shortly after I began performing inspections full time, I hired a person who fit the aforementioned description quite well. During his training period, he accompanied me on many inspections. Because my trainee was much older than I, clients often thought that he was the “go-to” person to ask questions or seek advice. These dear folks quickly realized their mistake when they heard me speak. These experiences helped me learn early on to exude confidence to win the respect of my clients.
Have you had influential home inspection mentors?
Many inspectors who belonged to the local chapter that I first attended were influential. Early on, I volunteered for a position on the chapter’s Board of Directors after a call went out for the role, but no one else in the chapter seemed interested. Having served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1994, I felt compelled to offer up my volunteer spirit and use whatever skills or talents I had to help.
Why did you join ASHI? Have you attended InspectionWorld ®?
By designing educational materials about what we do in a “cool” comic format that is skillfully and professionally produced, we’ve opened many doors of opportunity.
I became an ASHI member in August 2016 when ASHI “adopted” the members of the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) as their own. In the early days of my career, I felt that I could make a measurable contribution to NAHI, so I became a member and served in many areas of leadership within the organization, including serving as President for two consecutive terms. Looking back, I recall that I always admired and respected ASHI for its organized involvement in the political arena, and for its professionalism. Even when I was a leader in NAHI, a competing organization, I knew that one day I would be an ASHI member.
When I did become a member of ASHI, I volunteered to serve on my local chapter’s Board of Directors. I also attended the ASHI Leadership Training Conference in 2017 and InspectionWorld® in 2018. IW was everything I hoped it would be. Every inspector who is serious about his or her business should attend this conference (and others like it) as often as possible. Making such investments in yourself and in your company can reaps dividends for years to come. Each year, I attend as many educational conferences as I possibly can.
Have you always been a fan of comics?
I can remember being smitten by comic books as a pre-teen. I recall having a deep appreciation for the artwork. My first attempt at drawing was of a muscle guy that I saw in a comic book advertisement. My drawing was pretty good (or so I told myself) and that initial drawing sparked a tiny flame within me.
Curtis in Comic Form... 22
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
I didn’t have a lot of discretionary funds to invest in comics in my youth, but I do recall reading any comics that I could get my hands on. It didn’t matter what it was—Marvel or DC—every series had characters that held my interest. I can still recall drawing Batman and Superman, among others, from these colorful artistic masterpieces.
What led you to create your own? How did you come up with the character of Krome? Fast-forward a few decades… I was led to start my own comic series out of a desire to recognize and use the talents of one of my oldest and best friends. But before I conceived of the comic book idea, the “Armored Man” icon came to me first. One year when I attended an inspector conference much like IW, a marketing expert talked about “persona-based” businesses versus “iconic-based” businesses. I realized that I had a persona-based business because, at the time, my last name was in the title of the business (Niles Professional Home Inspections), so I was branding “me” or my “persona.” There’s nothing wrong with that; many companies do quite well with such a business type. However, I felt that if I was to grow my business, I would need more inspectors to perform more inspections and I didn’t want everyone who called the business to expect that only I (Mr. Niles) would perform their inspections. Therefore, the wheels in my head started spinning and I prayed about the idea of having an icon for my business. I was led to a biblical description found in Ephesians 6:11-17, a passage about putting on the “whole armour of God.” The description of this armor included the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, the Sword of the Spirit, the Shield of Faith and the feet Shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. This imagery spoke to me and led me to create “Krome,” Armored Home Inspection’s iconic knight in shining armor. I already had the name “Armored Home Inspections” and I felt the icon “Krome” fit perfectly with it. The thought for the comic series stemmed from a connection I had with my old friend, Hector Rodriguez, who is a far better artist than I. When I learned that he was illustrating his own comic series as well as illustrating for others, I asked him to initially design my Krome character and I gave him the biblical passage previously mentioned as a guide. When I received his rendering for review, I was amazed with his interpretation, which matched my concept perfectly. And when I told him about my comic series idea, he loved it. I confess, I was quite ignorant about the comic world at this point. Luckily for me, Hector was quite entrenched in the genre. He was the president of a comic book guild and he knew how to put out a quality comic book.
other words, “prospective clients.” The best part was that there was no home inspection competition to be found. So, the answer to the question is a resounding “yes”—I absolutely intended for the Krome Comic Series to be a marketing tool for my business.
What other marketing ideas have you used for your business?
It’s difficult for me to recall any substantive marketing ideas I had prior to Armored Comics and Krome. I had a busy home improvement business in my early days, so I didn’t worry too much about marketing initially. I did what was taught in my home inspection training, such as real estate office visits, company apparel, truck lettering, business stationery and so on. I believe all these things are important in establishing a professional brand in the marketplace. However, what has changed quite dramatically, thanks to the internet, is how businesses advertise and how consumers have the ability to rate companies. The client experience is so important; therefore, I tend to focus on the client’s experience with the inspection and produce materials that will help clients remember my business. Business cards and brochures are great, but they are not necessarily keepsake items. In my opinion, a well-produced, autographed comic book is a more memorable and valuable keepsake.
Did you always intend the comic to be a marketing tool for your business?
During the time I was contemplating the comic series, Hector invited me to attend a ComicCon event with him. In case you haven’t heard of ComicCon, it’s a gathering where everyone and everything within “the comic scene” gets together for a few days to buy, sell or exchange comics, get celebrity autographs and showcase artists of all sorts. It is not just about comics. When I joined Hector and his colleagues at their vendor table at ComicCon, my reaction was: Wow! I was totally blown away by the sheer volume of people and vendors—there were literally tens of thousands of people who attended the convention over the course of three or four days! I immediately wondered how many of these folks were homeowners or prospective homeowners…in
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THe Krome-mobile...
new client wanted to have that same kind of experience when they were ready to buy their home. Buying or selling a home can be stressful enough, so I strive to make the inspection experience one that is educational, informative and enjoyable.
What results for your business have you seen by implementing the comics as a marketing tool?
I’m not sure that I can measure the results specifically, but what I can say is that Armored Comics and Krome have allowed my business team to have an icon that we can all have fun with and that we can use to produce marketing materials to keep in front of our target market.
What are some other marketing tactics you use to promote your business? How do the Krome comics fit into your bigger marketing plan? Read any marketing book out there and you’ll learn that you should only spend marketing dollars on an idea if you can measure the results. Although that is good advice, my marketing ideas are geared toward bringing “value” to the relationships that I have with my clients. What I mean by this is, I seek to tailor ideas and marketing strategies that will help referring real estate agents in their businesses. As inspectors, all too often our marketing strategies are geared toward “getting” business from real estate groups. After all, that’s essentially what we’re taught—put your brochures, cards and candy in real estate offices, routinely visit them and “court the heavy hitters in the offices.” I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with that strategy. It works! However, I strive to implement initiatives that reward my clients for their referrals and loyalty, for example, by offering appreciation luncheons in honor of loyal supporters. In addition, we have devised a point system by which our clients can redeem discounts on our services. Armored Comics and Krome are an integral part of our marketing plan. By designing educational materials about what we do in a “cool” comic format that is skillfully and professionally produced, we’ve opened many doors of opportunity.
For example, 2019 is the 20th year that I have been in the home inspection business. As a result, my team thought of a way to celebrate and have a little fun at our home inspections—we call it ARMORED Spin the Wheel Game. We use branded Krome poker cards that we’ve used in the past as giveaway items. We place these cards on a wheel and our clients spin the wheel. The jokers, kings and queens all equate to discounts and free items, including additional autographed issues of the comic series other than the one they received in their home inspection folder. When the wheel lands on a red joker, the client is awarded with a free home inspection. Can you imagine the social marketing and goodwill value obtained from such an experience?
What kind of reception have you gotten from clients and peers for your comic series?
It’s very rewarding to see how well-received the comic series has been. What’s surprising to me is discovering how enthusiasm for comics transcends demographics— young and old, wealthy and not-so-wealthy, white collar and blue collar, educated and not-so-educated, talented and not-so-talented. The consensus is that everyone can appreciate a decent comic.
Clients have told me that the information they picked up from the Armored comic series was so memorable that they felt they couldn’t go wrong by hiring us for their home inspection. New clients have also told me that when their colleague, family member or friend showed them the comic book that they received with their home inspection, they heard rave reviews about the whole experience. As a result, the
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ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
ARMORED Spin the wheel Game...
Have you seen others doing something unique to market their business? I have seen some scratch-to-win lottery cards to win prizes and discounts. That, to me, is pretty clever and better than just giving out coupons with company brochures. I’m sure there are many unique marketing ideas out there, but I devote my time to developing my own ideas and not keeping an eye on what the competition is doing.
What’s your advice to home inspectors— especially related to combining their passions or hobbies with home inspection?
If given sufficient thought, you could probably come up with a way to share your own passion or hobby in your inspection business that others would not only appreciate, but also would certainly remember. Remembering you and your business is key to getting referrals and repeat business. It is not enough to do a competent home inspection to get repeat business or to have a wide range of referrals via word of mouth. Let’s say that your passion is dog training—you could connect with
folks who are passionate about dogs and you might be surprised what becomes of it. Of course, you’ll have to periodically put your company’s name in front of your audience, through email campaigns, anniversary card mailings or magnetic sports team calendars, for example.
What do you see for the future of the home inspection industry?
As long as people are buying, selling and living in homes, there will be a place for home inspectors to earn a living. I think that inspectors can do a better job of educating the public, real estate agents and their own clients on the importance and value in maintenance inspections, including how such inspections can reduce home maintenance expenses and how maintenance inspections can improve resale values.
Do you have any favorite quotes or mantras that keep you focused?
If you truly enjoy what you do for living, you won’t work a day in your life.
Curtis Niles currently resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and their three teenagers. He maintains licenses or certifications in Home Inspection, WDI Application/Inspection, Mold Indoor Quality, Lead Work Safe Practices, General Contracting and Real Estate. He also performs field training for new inspector prospects. Curtis enjoys motorcycling and animal husbandry, and he raises chickens and alpacas on his family’s small farmstead. You can contact him at nilesent@msn. com, info@armoredhomeinspections.com, kromemancurtis@gmail.com or by phone at 610-352-2212 (office) or 610-931-1684 (cell).
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ASHI Foundation
ASHI UPDATE
FORGING THE FOUNDATION By Chris Karczewski, Social Media & Digital Strategist
With the arrival of April’s National Home Inspection month, we wanted to give our membership an update on the ongoing endeavors of the ASHI Foundation.
INSPECTIONWORLD KICKOFF The ASHI Foundation Board has been working tirelessly to build excitement for the re-energized ASHI Foundation. The Foundation Board determined that InspectionWorld® 2019 would be the perfect opportunity to launch the first wave of the campaign. A simple goal was established: Leave the city we visit for IW in better shape than when we arrive. This goal was a driving force, not just for this year’s campaign, but also to apply to all future IW outreach campaigns. HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS
The next step was finding the right partner for the campaign. After researching various organizations, we discovered that Homes For Our Troops would be the perfect partner to kick things off in San Diego in January 2019. Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a nonprofit organization with the mission “to build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives.” HFOT serves veterans around the country and, coincidentally, we learned that there were plans for a build in San Diego starting shortly after IW. So, we reached out to HFOT and together, we enthusiastically agreed upon a partnership. The Foundation campaign would focus on raising money to donate toward the building of the veteran’s new home. As we worked out the logistics, we began to learn more about the veteran who would be receiving this specific home, SPC Joseph Paulk, Jr., as well as his journey. Paulk was on his first deployment when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). Paulk received the full force of the blast and ultimately was engulfed in flames. As a result of his accident, Paulk has undergone 50 surgeries, including skin grafts and the removal of all of his fingers. Now retired from the military, Paulk faces a new set of challenges in his daily life. HFOT seeks to help Paulk overcome these challenges through a specially designed home to meets his needs. The home will be equipped with state-of-the-art climate control systems and automated components that will give Paulk greater independence and comfort. Most importantly, this home affords him the opportunity to build a bright future. With the money he would have had to use to finance a mortgage, he can start his own business. To see a video of his full story, visit www.youtu.be/Ag-y-3CEF4A. 28
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
ASHI Foundation
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AT IW
ASHI’s Annual Business Meeting is an important annual event that takes place at IW. All attendees are invited to gather for a meal to discuss the state of the association, swear in the new board directors and recognize exemplary members with special awards. In January 2019, before the annual meeting began, we introduced the revitalized ASHI Foundation and discussed the kickoff campaign for Paulk. HFOT sent Wally Fanene to speak to the group and offer more insight into how HFOT empowers and impacts the lives of veterans. Like SPC Paulk, Fanene is a veteran who sacrificed for our country and returned home with severe injuries. HFOT heard about Fanene and understood the challenges he faced and renovated his home to better fit his needs. A key point that Fanene expressed was the intangible effects of his injuries. He stated that losing confidence in himself was one of the toughest parts of his journey. The audience at IW found it so powerful to hear Fanene explain how his renovated home played a large part in helping him rebuild his confidence and become comfortable in his own skin. His story truly drove home the impact that HFOT makes in the lives of veterans. After sharing his story, Fanene shared SPC Paulk’s story with our attendees, as the donation portal opened.
CAMPAIGN RESULTS
Immediately after the instructions to donate were shown, IW attendees reached for their phones and submitted donations. Within the first few minutes, we were already halfway to the initial goal of $15,000. Terry Howell, President of Radalink, approached the podium and announced that he would match 50% of all donations made that morning. With such generosity, we exceeded the $15,000 goal. By the end of IW, the total amount of donations made for SPC Paulk’s home build was $31,121.
BY THE END OF IW, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DONATIONS MADE FOR SPC PAULK’S HOME BUILD WAS $31,121.
FUTURE OF THE FOUNDATION
It’s safe to say that the first venture of the ASHI Foundation was a success. Leaving the conference, all attendees knew that the ASHI Foundation had made a meaningful impact in the life of a veteran who gave so much to this country. ASHI has long been considered a beacon of professionalism for home inspectors and revitalizing the Foundation has been a welcome initiative. ASHI now has an outlet to aid people and communities in need, while showcasing ASHI’s true mission: to serve others and distinguish our members as leaders of our profession. We hope to continue this tradition at each future InspectionWorld and the ASHI Foundation will also find other ways to have a positive impact on people’s lives. As the Foundation continues to re-establish itself, education is an important area of special focus and efforts. Due to a generous donation by Marvin Goldstein, the ASHI Foundation has started the Milton Goldstein Educational Award Scholarship. This scholarship will award a stipend to top performers among graduates of the ASHI School. Read more on Milton Goldstein’s legacy as a pioneering home inspector whose work and life inspired this scholarship by visiting www.ashifoundation.org/donors.
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ASHI History
ASHI HISTORY
A HISTORIC LOOK AT HOME INSPECTION By Carl Fowler
Reprinted from June 2014
C:\>C:\DOSASHI HISTORY.EXE
This reprinted article offers a look back at the orgins of home inspection software. Check out the recent options availible–an article spotlighting some advances appeared in the February 2019 issue of the Reporter.
I HISTORY.EXE
E
ntering the way-back machine, we turn the dials and return to the beginning days of home inspection, circa 1977-1985. Back then, everybody was a newbie, worried about coming up with adequate disclaimers and formulating a checklist with which to do inspections. From the completed checklist, the information garnered was then most often transcribed via a typewriter or one of the early word processors into a narrative report. Some inspectors just turned over their handwritten checklist as the final report, but given the poor quality of handwriting done in the midst of an inspection, the report was often unreadable. There was much room for improvement.
It wasn’t until the ASHI conference in Houston in 1986 that Jules Samitz, of Delaware Valley Home Inspect, unveiled a software program that his son, a Bell Labs engineer, had created for his dad to use when inspecting. As I recall, the initial cost was $4,000 with a $500-a-day training charge, and the kicker was that you had to buy a HP computer running a particular version of DOS (Disk Operating System). DOS was an early operating system that was specific to each computer and was about at the end of its usefulness by that time. 30
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
The first commercially available software was 3D Inspection Systems. Started in 1986, it was the outgrowth of an inspector being overwhelmed with work and realizing life was going to be short if he didn’t find a quicker way to produce reports. That inspector was me, and having seen the presentations at an ASHI conference in Houston, I returned home with a new mission to have some software written, hopefully at a price that was far less than was being asked.
Six months and $6,000 later, I still had nothing and no prospect for a solution… desperation was the word of the day for another six months, but during that time, I met a smart 15-year-old kid skilled with computers and programming. The first day, he produced more than I had accomplished in a year. In six month, I had my software program, written for DOS, that ran my forms and worked great on a standard desktop computer (which is all we had back then). My life thus spared from burnout, I took one of the reports to show at a chapter meeting, where it was well received. Clients actually liked computerized reports and gave them greater belief than the laborious handwritten ones, which was initially a surprise to me.
In the 1980s, any photos were by special request, and with the task of having the film developed came the numbering and referencing of each photo. By the early 1990s, digital cameras began to show up and by 1995, Kodak had released the DC 40, a camera good enough to actually use commercially. It was rated at .38 megapixels, and frankly, compared with today’s photos, they looked pretty bad! But it was digital, and it soon became possible to impress clients and real estate agents by including a few photos in the report. This resulted in improved communication between all parties, made for a more useful service and resulted in setting the stage for increased inspection fees over the next few years.
Some inspectors just turned over their handwritten checklist as the final report. Also in the early 1990s, Barry Prentice, an ASHI inspector in Colorado, wrote the first pen-based inspection software, named “System 2000,” which was used exclusively by the Inspectech Corporation, a group of about 100 inspectors located mostly west of the Mississippi. In 1998, the company was sold to LandAmerica and then sold to Buyers Protection Group (BPG) in 2009. I understand Barry still supports a few inspectors using a modified version of the original Inspectech product. Other inspection software products began to appear in the mid1990s. Among the more successful were Borealis, Porter Valley, Palm-Tech and Homegauge . Each began to exhibit regularly at ASHI InspectionWorld® and the market for software became more competitive. As software languages continued to develop and internet use rose in the years following, a number of “software as a service” (SaaS) ventures were launched, many on a payas-you-report basis. Some were of better quality than others and many of the early ventures have since folded, due to difficulty in keeping an internet signal during the writing of the report, by user interfaces that are difficult to use, or due to lack of users and a reliable revenue base.
The mid-2000s brought us connected services like RecallChek, alarm leads programs, web-based scheduling and internet based radon reporting. Each of these services integrates with a variety of inspection software programs, so that using or selling additional services is just a matter of a few more clicks to send the client and inspection info you desire to the necessary party. And within the last few years, the options on the internet for the way you inspect and report have exploded. Every major software company has an app that can be used on a mobile device to collect data and eventually produce a report. Each vendor does it a little differently and has different user interfaces, but all are internet-centric and the productivity gains that are being seen by inspectors means the trend toward connectivity in everything you do is going to continue for the foreseeable future. Some of the latest software offerings focus on the relationship between inspector and client, by empowering inspectors to offer special discounts or extended consulting services. Anyone who has been in the inspection business and seen these changes over the years will have their own personal story relating to the phrase “change is difficult.” Adopting new techniques is always difficult because one’s confidence level declines and it’s necessary to initially go a bit slower. This is hard to commit to when you are backed up with work. The second time is always faster than the first, and it’s the repetition of working with a particular product or technique that restores confidence and then allows for a corresponding increase in efficiency, productivity or marketing prowess. Technological change is here to stay and likely accelerating.
So, don’t let fears of change deny you the opportunity to discover and use new offerings that can provide you with a competitive advantage. By the way, your competitor is probably reading this article as well. Copyright © 2019 American Society of Home Inspectors ®, Inc.
ASHI Chapters and Council News
NORTH CENTRAL ASHI Central PA
www.ashicentralpa.com Second Monday, 6 pm, except Jan. & July, Hoss’s Steakhouse 1151 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA Kevin Kenny, 717-226-3066 info@midpennhomeinspections.com
Keystone (PA)
www.keystoneashi.org First Monday, 5:30 pm Double Tree, 10 N. 5th Street Reading, PA 19601 Robert H. Conner, 610-375-9675 rhconnerbcs@yahoo.com
Ohio
www.ohioashi.com Ken Harrington, 614-507-1061 ohioashi@yahoo.com
www.ashiomaha.com Jon Vacha, 402-660-6935 jon@hsinspections.com
Heartland (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI)
www.ashiheartland.org Second Monday, 6:30 pm, except November & April. Frankie’s Pizza 3556 Winnetka Ave. N. New Hope, MN Reuben Saltzman, 612-205-5600 reuben@ashiheartland.org
Indiana ASHI
www.inashi.com Quarterly Bill Halstead, 765-465-6185 hhinspect@outlook.com
Iowa ASHI
www.ncohioashi.com Paul Wancata, 216-571-1074 inspectionsunlimited@cox.net
www.iowaashichapter.org Fourth Tuesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors Education Center 847 Quary Road, Coralville, IA Craig Chmelicek, 319-389-7379 elitehomeandradon@gmail.com
OHIO SOUTH ASHI
Kentuckiana (IN, KY)
North Central Ohio
Meeting: Third Tues. every month, 6:30pm @ Kriemer’s Bier Haus, OH-128, Cleves, OH 45002 P.O. Box 532197 Cincinnati, OH 45252 Chris Green, 513-939-4036 Email president@ohsoashi.com
Pocono-Lehigh (PA)
www.pocono-lehighashi.org Third Tuesday, Tannersville Inn Tannersville Ronald Crescente, 570-646-7546 amerispec@pa.metrocast.net
PRO-ASHI (PA)
www.proashi.com Second Wednesday of Jan., March, May, Sept. & Nov. Ray Fonos, 412-461-8273 southpittsburgh@hometeam.com
Tri-State (DE, NJ, PA)
www.tristateashi.org Second Tuesday except April, Aug. & Dec., Dave & Buster’s Plymouth Meeting, PA Jules Falcone, julesfalcone@me.com
MIDWEST Great Lakes (IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI) For monthly meetings: www.greatinspectors.com/ schedule-of-events/ Janni Juhansz, 734-284-4501 greatlakes.president@gmail.com
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Greater Omaha (NE)
www.ashikentuckiana.org Allan Davis, 502-648-9294 elitehomeinspections@ insightbb.com
Mid-Missouri
www.midmoashi.com Second Thursday, 12:00 pm, even months of the year; Columbia Board of Realtors office: 2309 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO Mark Kelsey, 573-356-5305 mark@inspectcolumbia.com
Northern Illinois
www.nicashi.com Second Wednesday (except Dec.) 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm Allegra Banquets, 237 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL 60181 Joe Konopacki, 630-283-2248 joe@insightpsinc.com
SOUTH MIDWEST Arkansas Lonnie Moore, 479-530-5792 mhinsp@cox.net
Great Plains (KS, MO)
www.ashikc.org Second Wednesday of even months The Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City Doug Hord, 816-215-2329 doug@firstchoice.com
Midwest PRO ASHI (KS) David Mason, 316-393-2152, david@allprohomeinspec.com
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
St. Louis (MO)
www.stlashi.org Second Tuesday, 5 pm Creve Coeur Government Center Multi-Purpose Meeting Room 300 N. New Ballas Creve Coeur, MO 63141 Mark Goodman, 636-391-0091 mark@homeinpectstl.com
Lone Star (TX)
www.ashitexas.org Bud Rozell, 214-215-4961 goodhomeinspection@att.net
MOUNTAIN Arizona
www.azashi.org Bryck Guibor, 520-419-1313 bryck@msn.com Quarterly education on azashi.org
New Mexico
www.ashinm.org Bi-monthly meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at Drury Hotel (Jan., March, May, July, Sept.) located at 4630 Pan American Freeway NE in Albuquerque. Meeting starts at 8:30 am. Lance Ellis, 505-977-3915 lellis@amerispec.net
Northern Rockies (ID, MT) Steve Jenicek, 406-949-6461 Steve@taskmasterinspections.com Secretary: Kelly Campeau 877-749-2225 Kelly@inspectormt.com
ASHI Hawaii
www.ashihawaii.com Oscar Libed, 808-330-2302 oscar@inspecthawaii.com
California Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com
Central Valley CREIA-ASHI Peter Boyd, 530-673-5800 Boyd.p@comcast.net
Golden Gate (CA)
www.ggashi.com Brian Cogley, v 510-295-8021 f 510-355-1073 CogleyInspections.com
Inland Northwest (ID, WA) Vince Vargas, 208-290-2472 vince@vargasinspections.com
Orange County CREIA-ASHI (CA) www.creia.org/orangecounty-chapter Third Monday, 5:30 pm Hometown Buffet 2321 S. Bristol, Santa Ana Bill Bryan, 949-565-5904 bill@rsminspections.com
Oregon
www.oahi.org Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm 4534 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Portland Jon Nichols, 503-324-2000 housedetective@hotmail.com
San Diego CREIA-ASHI
Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm Bob Kadera, 303-588-2502 bob@360degreeinspections.com
First Tuesday each month Elijah’s Restaurant 7061 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard San Diego, CA 92111 Ray (Cliff ) Sims Jr., 619-334-1138 cliffsims@cox.net
Southern Colorado
San Joaquin Valley (CA)
Rocky Mountain
www.ashi-southerncolorado.org Second Thursday each month, 6:30 pm Valley Hi Golf Club, 610 S. Chelton Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80910 Aaron Hunt, 719-334-5455 aaron@huntproperty inspections.com
Utah
www.ashiutah.com First Tuesday, 7 pm Marie Callender’s, Midvale Fred Larsen, 801-201-9583 Fred.larsen@pillartopost.com
PACIFIC Alaska Meeting dates: Jan. 1, March 1, Aug. 1, Nov. 1 Location varies each meeting David Mortensen, 907-243-4476 dave@discoveryinspect.com
Third Thursday, 6 pm 1736 Union Avenue, Bakersfield, CA Raymond Beasley, 661-805-5947 rbinspector@aol.com Mail: 3305 Colony Oak St. Bakersfield, CA 93311
Silicon Valley ASHI-CREIA (CA) www.siliconvalleyinspector.com Tammy Nicholas, 408-771-4939 tnicholas490@gmail.com
Southwestern Idaho Second Monday David Reish, 208-941-5760 dave@antheminspections.com
Los Angeles-Ventura County ASHI-CREIA Third Wednesday, 5 pm Holiday Inn, Woodland Hills Bob Guyer, 805-501-0733 guyerinspections@roadrunner.com
South Bay (CA) Webinar meetings Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com
Western Washington
www.ashiww.com Chapter Meetings held at chapter seminars in March and Sept. Karl Nueffer karl@G4inspections.com
NEW ENGLAND Coastal Connecticut
www.coastalctashi.org Third Thursday, 6 pm, Westport VFW Lodge, 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport John Hamlin, 203-912-1917 john.hamlin@pillartopost.com
New England (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) Third Thursday (usually), 5 pm Hilton Garden Inn, Waltham, MA Alex Steinberg, 617-924-1028 alex@jbsinspections.com
Northern New England (NNEC) (ME, MA, NH, VT) www. ashi-nnec.org Third Thursday of Jan., April, June and Sept. Tim Rooney, 603-770-0444 homeviewnh@comcast.net nnec.ashi.2016@gmail.com
Greater Rochester (NY)
www.ashirochester.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm Jeremiah’s Tavern, 2200 Buffalo Rd. Gates, NY 14624 Jim Brennan, 585-520-5575 jbrennan@independentinspectionservice.com
Hudson Valley (NY) Second Tuesday, 6 pm Daddy O’s Restaurant 3 Turner Street Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Michael Skok, 845-592-1442 ashistatewide@yahoo.com
Long Island (NY)
www.liashi.com Third Monday, 6 pm, Domenico’s Restaurant, Levittown John Weiburg 516-603-5770 john@greenlinkhi.com
New York Metro
www.nyashi.com Last Thursday, 5pm Travelers Rest 25 Saw Mill River Road Ossining, NY 10562 Chris Long, 914-260-8571 pres@nyashi.com
Southern New Jersey (NJ)
MAC-ASHI (MD, VA)
www.mac-ashi.com Second Wednesday, Rockville, 6 pm Senior Center, Rockville Mark Mostrom, 301-536-0096 pivotalinspections@comcast.net
NOVA-ASHI (MD, VA)
www.novaashi.com Fourth Tuesday, Associate hour 6-7 pm, Membership meeting 7-9 pm, Northern Virginia Resources Center, Fairfax Tony Toth, 703-926-6213 tony_toth@msn.com
Piedmont ASHI (VA) Robert Huntley, 540-354-2135 rwhuntley@cox.net
SOUTH ATLANTIC ASHI Georgia
www.ashigeorgia.com Shannon Cory, 404-316-4876 shannon1943@comcast.net
East Tennessee
www.etashi.org Third Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. and Nov. Paul Perry, 866-522-7708 cio@frontiernet.net Ray Baird, 615-371-5888 bairdr@comcast.net
Capitol Region (NY)
Western New York
North Carolina
Central New York
Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Tony Rome’s, West Seneca Andy Utnik, 716-636-9676 esimail@aol.com
NEW YORK/JERSEY/ DELAWARE www.goashi.com Richard W. Askew, 518-383-4804 rondack1@gmail.com www.cnyashi.com Third Wednesday each month, 6 pm Tony’s Family Restaurant, Syracuse Richard Alton, 315-415-4847 dick@altoninspect.com
MID-ATLANTIC Central Virginia
www.firststateashi.org Third Wednesday, 7 pm The Buzz Ware Center 2121 The Highway, Arden Mark Desmond, 302-494-1294 mark@delvalleyhome.com
www.cvashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm Independence Golf Course 600 Founders Bridge Blvd. Midlothian, VA 23113 John Cranor, President 804-873-8537 cranorinspectionservices @gmail.com
Garden State (NJ)
Hampton Roads (VA)
First State (DE)
www.gardenstateashi.com Second Thursday The Westwood, Garwood Ernie Borsellino, 973-761- 0050 gsashipresident@gmail.com
Second Thursday, 7 pm, Cypress Point Country Club, Virginia Beach Gregory Murphy, 757-535-4355 gmurphy@coastalinspect.com
Quarterly Meetings Michael Burroughs 318-324-0661 Mburroughs2@comcast.net
Suncoast (FL)
www.ashisuncoast.com First Tuesday, 6:30 pm; Please see our website for meeting locations. Steve Acker, 727-712-3089 buyersally@gmail.com
Southwest Florida
www.swashi.com Serving Manatee, Sarasota & Charlotte Second Wednesday, 6 pm Holiday Inn, Lakewood Ranch 6321 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota Michael Conley, 941-778-2385 FLinspector@outlookcom
www.cahpi-alt.com Lawrence Englehart 902-403-2460 inspections@eastlink.ca
CAHPI Ontario
Steven Campbell, 901-734-0555 steve@memphisinspections.com www.ncashi.com Meeting TBA Bruce Barker, 919-322-4491 bruce@dreamhomeconsultants.com First Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. & Nov., 8 am Roger Herdt, 843-669-3757 herdtworks@msn.com
Louisiana
CAHPI Atlantic
Mid-South (TN)
South Carolina
First Thursday, 7 pm, The Forest Country Club, Fort Myers Len Gluckstal, 239-432-0178 goldenrulehi@comcast.net
CANADA
Mid-Tennessee
www.southernnjashi.com Third Wednesday, 6:30 pm Ramada Inn, Bordentown Rick Lobley, 609-208-9798 rick@doublecheckhi.com
Gulfcoast (FL)
www.oahi.com Rob Cornish, 613-858-5000 robc@homexam.ca
Alberta Professional Home Inspectors (APHIS) www.aphis.ca Meetings held 3 times a year Alan Fisher, 403-248-6893 admin@aphis.com
Quebec AIBQ
www.aibq.qc.ca Pascal Baudaux, 450-629-2038 info@almoinspection.ca
GULF ASHI South (AL)
www.ashisouth.org Quarterly, Homewood Library Homewood John Knudsen, 334-221-0876 jgknudsen111@gmail.com
Florida Wiregrass
www.ashiwiregrass.org Second Wednesday, 6:30 pm Sleep Inn Hotel, Wesley Chapel Nancy Janosz, 813-546-6090 ProTeamInsp@aol.com
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
33
CHAPTER EVENTS
ASHI Chapters and Council News
ASHI GREAT LAKES CHAPTER 2019 SPRING CONFERENCE & PEER REVIEW When: April 5-6, 2019 CEUs: 8 ASHI CEs Friday, 4 ASHI CEs Saturday Where: Holiday Inn, Southgate, MI Contact: Dave Yost dave@qbinspect.com
ASHI INDIANA CHAPTER 2019 Q2 EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR When: April 13, 2019 CEUs: 7 ASHI CEs Where: Rodeway Inn, Indianapolis, IN Contact: dan.katz@trustpointinspections.com IMPORTANT REPORTER DEADLINES: • MAY 2019 ISSUE - 3/7/19 • JUNE 2019 ISSUE - 4/7/19 • JULY 2019 ISSUE - 5/7/19 The Reporter is produced 6-8 weeks ahead of the week it arrives in your mailbox.
ASHI NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER When: April 17, 2019 CEUs: 7 ASHI CEs Topics: Legal Tips for Home Inspectors Where: Puritan Backroom Restaurant, Manchester, NH Contact: nnec.ashi.2016@gmail.com
MAC ASHI TECHNICAL SEMINAR When: April 27, 2019 CEUs: 8 ASHI CEs Where: 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 Contact: Sean Troxell rseantroxell@gmail.com
TO HAVE YOUR CHAPTER SEMINAR LISTED HERE, EMAIL ALL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHAPTER SEMINAR TO: micheleg@ashi.org.
INTRODUCING THE 3D MOBILE INSPECTOR
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Learn more on our website at 3dinspection.com І 800-745-6126
34
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Also available for Android. Easier than ever image management. Easily duplicate headings and subheadings. Free to install on as many devices as you’d like...and much more!
ASHI-ST. LOUIS FALL SEMINAR When: November 2, 2018 CEUs: ASHI 8 CEs Topics / Presenters:
Moisture, Fire Damage and Heat Loss 3-hour block Presented by David Goldstein Defensive Report Writing 1-hour block Presented by David Goldstein Street Creep – 2-hour block Presented by David Birenbaum, PE & ASHI ACI New Construction – 2-hour block Present by David Goldstein
COMMERCIAL INSPECTION CLASS
When: November 3-4, 2018 CEUs: ASHI 16 CEs The commercial inspection class is an ASTM/ASHI hybrid commercial inspection class taught by David Goldstein. Contact: Mark Goodman (314) 409-3991
ASHI MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT FREE LOGO DESIGN ASHI.org/LogoDesign
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES Twenty–five Years
Fifteen Years
Brian Callaghan Ward Morgan Doug Ramsthaler Joe Sinvany
Phil Acker Alex Campbell Graham Clarke Stephen Dion Albert Gordon Burton Isenstein Johnny Kay Phil Kaznowski Ellery G. Kington Deryl Kirchne Brandon Meara Michael J. Ossmann Randy Peterson Rick Roseberry Ron Schenck Leon Smith Michael D. Swaim Anthony Toth
Twenty Years Ralph G. Baca Stephen Boyle Randy Creamer Mark Giunta Michael Pignotti Jim Schumacher Thomas Sherman Andy Simms Lawrence Ubell
Ten Years Rodger C. Althage Michael Baltrush David B. Becker Fred Casciani Colin P. Chandler Xing “James” Fang Jeff Ferguson John D. Hartmann Chuck Monasmith Ricky J Sailors Nate Stitzlein Michael R Tracy Jim Turner Greg Wayman
Marc E. Jones Justin Kalnicky Glenn Kleint Bob Knauff John “Kenny” Larsen Jan P. Lazzeri Robert A. Leiby Dave Lovelace Randell Mayers Joby McDonald David C. Mull Victor Nelson Adam Pardonek John Paton
Steven S. Ripley Kenneth A. Rodriguez Anthony Savioli Jeffery David Schafer Larry Schaff Jerry Schooley Gerald Shinn Thomas Siebelink Paul Smith Justin Taylor Dean M. Vorhies Rolland Wessling Ernie Michael Wood Ron Wyatt
Five Years Kekoa Akana David Arduini David Aronovici Ryan Blecick Ross Cameron Justin Cheseldine-Gass Chad Cooper Michael Cotter Shawn E Fennimore Mike Fichter Mark D. Hill Christopher Jones
CURRENT ASHI MEMBERSHIP ASHI Certified Inspectors: 3,470 Inspectors: 225 Associates: 3,961 Retired Members: 114 Affiliates: 75 Total: 7,845 Members as of 3/6/2019
ASHI
ONLINE LEARNING CENTER FREE MEMBER ACCESS TO PAST IW SESSIONS. Go to www.ASHI.org Under Education & Training CLICK ON: ASHI ONLINE LEARNING CENTER
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
35
Tips for the Road
TIPS FOR THE ROAD
TMTC, TMTSTS* By Frank Lesh, ASHI Ambassador
H
ave you ever thought about what’s changed since you first became a home inspector? I’ve thought about what I’ve seen in my own career and there have been some phenomenal innovations. Here are some of the technological advances that I have noticed: Moisture meters. Palm-sized flashlights that are 10 times brighter than the old 2D cell Maglites. Portable carbon monoxide testers. Digital cameras and affordable thermal imaging cameras that attach to my iPhone. GPS maps with voice directions that help me get to any location without having to use paper maps. Computer-generated reports that prevent writer’s cramp while helping to complete my reports more efficiently. Internet searches that save me a ton of time by locating information that I previously had to research by browsing through stacks of books and magazines. I think everyone would agree that these are just a few of the strides—and giant leaps—that have helped to advance our profession. But what improvements have we seen in the human experience? I struggle with that, because I think some of that inspector-to-inspector experience may have been lost over the years. I owe a huge portion of my success to the unselfish input of many ASHI members who paved the way for me. Over the years, I’ve heard some newer inspectors say that they haven’t had the same experience. I don’t think it’s because existing inspectors don’t offer to help. I think the more likely cause is that, for whatever reason, newer inspectors don’t attend as many conferences as the generation of inspectors before them did.
I THINK YOU’LL FIND THAT IF YOU ASK TWO HOME INSPECTORS A QUESTION, YOU’LL GET THREE ANSWERS.
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ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Frank has retired from his role as ASHI Executive Director and his current role is ASHI Ambassador. He was also ASHI’s 2007 President. Prior to serving as ASHI’s Executive Director, he owned Home Sweet Home Inspection Company, which his son Zac now runs.
Think about it. I remember years (actually, decades) ago, when I was starting my inspection business, I listened to ASHI members tell how they did their inspections. I attended at least five or six two-day meetings a year, in addition to ASHI’s annual conference. There was no internet, so the best way to gain knowledge was through personal interaction with established inspectors. I think you’ll find that if you ask two home inspectors a question, you’ll get three answers. To me, that’s more than a humorous saying. It’s indicative of the world we live in. Unlike math, where there is one correct answer, home inspection answers can be subjective. Being frank here, I’ve never liked to hang around with people who always think they have the “right” answer. Especially those who won’t listen when presented with an opposing viewpoint. When face to face with such a person, it’s easy to either just walk away or to debate them one-on-one. That can’t be said of online “personalities.” Their diatribes are in cyberspace forever for everyone to see and that often has a chilling effect on constructive debate, especially for newbie inspectors. Now, I’m not saying that inspectors should change their minds depending on which way the wind is blowing, but they should be aware that different viewpoints, when looked at openly and from another direction, may be cause for a review of their own beliefs. When ASHI was formed, one of its main goals was for inspectors to share information by meeting with each other and exchanging insights.
Tips for the Road
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE INSIGHTS I PICKED UP FROM MY FELLOW INSPECTORS OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER. TIP 1: BE EARLY Lon Grossman said if he wasn’t 15 minutes early for an inspection, he was late. I found that he was right on target with that because that extra 15 minutes gave me time to have an unfettered view of the house.
TIP 2: GET A MACRO VIEW Dan Freidman said that he always started away from the house so he could get the macro view of the house. That way, he wouldn’t miss the “forest for the trees.” In other words, if you don’t step back and look at the overall view, you may miss something visible from a distance that you would not see close up. I learned that tip at a conference in St. Louis.
TIP 3: USE CAUTION Sam Feder said he would not walk a roof until he inspected the underside of the sheathing from the attic. He learned that the hard way when he fell through a roof that looked perfectly fine from the outside, but had missing or rotting sheathing under brand-new shingles. I learned that tip in Cincinnati.
WHEN ASHI WAS FORMED, ONE OF ITS MAIN GOALS WAS FOR INSPECTORS TO SHARE INFORMATION BY MEETING WITH EACH OTHER AND EXCHANGING INSIGHTS.
TIP 4: USE EXAMPLES Ron Passaro said he always told his clients to think of the home inspection as if they were on a safari and he was their guide. He was looking for the big game. Even though he’d surely find some small stuff on the way, he wanted them to know they were paying him to find the big-ticket items. I learned that tip in Nashville.
TIP 5: BE CONCISE I learned from Don Nelson to be concise. “Keep it simple” was his motto. Often, less is more. Don’t dazzle them with your brilliance or baffle them by just talking. Just explain your findings so your clients can understand. I learned that tip in Chicago.
Space limits my ability to share the myriad tips that I’ve received over the years. But one constant within all of the tips I know is the willingness of ASHI inspectors to share their knowledge. Some tips are useful, others not so much. But ASHI inspectors should always be willing to share and engage in discussion. A lot of inspectors look for answers and tips at the speed of light. Who has time to travel to meetings? I had that thought in mind in 2007 when I was ASHI President. I put together a video podcast that aired 12 years ago and it is still available on the internet. Maybe we need more of that face-to-face time, because
*The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.
NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
37
ASHI Elections
ASHI ELECTIONS:
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS Hollis Brown, Chair, Director Nominating Committee
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has two basic election processes, officers and directors, each with its own electorate.
Council of Representatives (CoR) Chapters send representatives to the Council of Representatives (CoR) for a two-year term. The CoR is subdivided into nine regional Groups. The Council meets annually, at which time each Group elects a Group Leader. The Group Leaders meet monthly by web conference. The Council elects from within itself two nominating committees, for Officers and Directors. The Council Speaker appoints the chair of the Director Nominating Committee. The Immediate Past President is chair of the Officer Nominating Committee. The Council Speaker is elected by the Council for a two-year term.
Director Nominating Committee Council Representatives who choose to run submit matrices to the Director Nominating Committee that include pertinent information about the nominee, including a commitment to serve if elected. The members of the Director Nominating Committee meet, parse the candidates and develop a slate. Slated nominees go on the ballot. The ballot goes to Council Reps. Reps vote. The five highest vote-getters go on the Board for a three-year term. The sixth highest vote-getter becomes the alternate.
Officer Nominating Committee Any member in good standing can submit a matrix to the Officer Nominating Committee. The members of the Officer Nominating Committee consider the matrices and select a slate of officer nominees. These are voted on by the entire membership for a one-year term. All officers, except the Treasurer, are term-limited to one year. The Treasurer is limited to three years.
38
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
2019 ASHI ELECTION CALENDAR UPCOMING DATES
APRIL 15:
DNC Organizational Meeting
AUGUST 15:
Officer and Director nominating period ends.
SEPTEMBER 15:
DNC meets to select nominees.
OCTOBER 30:
C
M
Y
Town Hall Meeting
CM
OCTOBER 31:
MY
Ballots distributed.
DECEMBER 5
Election period ends.
DECEMBER 6:
Ballots counted and results announced.
Board of Directors The Board of Directors is made up of the Officers (President, President-elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) and 15 Directors. The Immediate Past-President and the Speaker of the Council attend Board meetings, but they do not vote. The Board meets four times a year.
Matrix Submissions Any Council representative is eligible to submit a matrix to run for a Director position. Any ASHI voting member is eligible to submit a matrix to run for an Officer position. Nominees must confirm in writing a willingness to serve and agree to undergo a background check. The last day to submit a Director matrix is August 15.
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NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
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NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org
Postcards from the Field r Says Homeowne week.” hat last t d e n a le “I c
TEGER MATTHEW S ection sp In e om WIN H A P r, te as nc La
One more row of caulk ing and the window shou ld be airtight.
Note: By sending in your postcard(s), you are expressly granting ASHI the right to use the postcard and your name with it in the ASHI REPORTER and in other publications ASHI may select.
Plumber or Water Park Designer
MARGARET CO N Elm City Hom ABLE e New Haven, Inspections LLC CT
? House wrap aks? le l il st ...And it
LUKE GRIESS e Inspection m Ho Scott Loveland, CO
CHRIS MCDOUGALL Apex Home Inspection Aromas, CA
Say Cheese!
CURTIS NILES SR. s, LLC Armored Home Inspection PA , Pottstown
40
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
Water removal syst em OR local brewery?
DEVIN CHILDERS HERO Home Inspection Ser vices Adairsville, GA
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NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
41
NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org
Postcards from the Field
Note: By sending in your postcard(s), you are expressly granting ASHI the right to use the postcard and your name with it in the ASHI REPORTER and in other publications ASHI may select.
Cleans eve ry nook and crann y.
ts Package I Got the Spor r Bathroom for the Maste
KENNY RODRIGUEZ ctions, LLC Loyalty Home Inspe stle, DE New Ca
Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.
, Nice exstension . on ti ec ir d wrong
RANDY VIA Charles L. Geich & Associ ates Columbus, OH
ds cable Who nee ’s live ere when th ment? in enterta
Owner say s: “Never ha d a leak!”
KER SKIP WAL s ice rv e ation S erty Evalu n Bruno, CA p ro P r e lk Sa Wa
42
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
PATRICK The Buyer’s In M. LYONS spector, LLC Ann Arbor, M I
ADAM WEBER Inside and Out LLC Home Inspections, Denver, PA
RANDY SIPE Family Home Inspections Springville, KS
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NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH • www.ASHIReporter.org
43
InspectPAC
InspectPAC: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT WE
HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR By Dave Kogan, Director of Marketing & Business Development
THE FOLLOWING IS AN OVERVIEW OF ASHI’S LOBBYING INITIATIVES THAT AFFECT YOUR REVENUE, YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE: • ASHI persuaded Congress to pass comprehensive legislation (drafted by ASHI) that requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to broadly incorporate home inspection into HUD’s housing counseling programs. • In response to ongoing encouragement from ASHI’s allies on Capitol Hill, HUD has proposed that all HUD housing counseling programs—including individual counselors—be certified to provide counseling to homebuyers on the availability and importance of obtaining an independent home inspection.
T
he American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) came into existence in 1976 as our founding members saw a need to create a Standard of Practice and a Code of Ethics for home inspectors to work and live by. To achieve the goal of continued excellence in the field of home inspection, ASHI also saw a need to have a voice within the national government on Capitol Hill. Filling this need was an important goal because regulation and licensing guidelines were on the horizon and would eventually be passed within state governments. ASHI’s goal was to create a unified voice for all home inspectors on Capitol Hill, mainly in response to others attempting to direct how home inspectors should act, what they should and should not inspect, and what they are liable for during and after a home inspection. ASHI’s leaders and members questioned whether home inspectors should be governed by appraisers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers or the construction industry, and they determined that the answer was absolutely not. For these reasons, ASHI launched InspectPAC. InspectPAC raises money to help elect and re-elect candidates to Congress who understand the home inspection profession and who are supportive of the profession. InspectPAC’s initiatives are supported by your voluntary contributions. By lobbying the government to promote home inspection as federal policy, and by defending your revenues and business models to policymakers, ASHI seeks to support, protect and expand the businesses of all ASHI home inspectors. Your contributions to InspectPAC support these actions. For information about donating to InspectPAC, send an email with the subject line “InspectPAC Contribution” to Toni Fanizza, Director of Accounting, at tonif@ashi.org. 44
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
• HUD is now proposing to amend its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Single-Family Housing Policy Handbook to require that all FHA mortgage lenders prompt mortgage applicants at the first contact to consider obtaining a home inspection. All FHA lenders would need to provide “For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection” (www.hud.gov/sites/ documents/92564-CN.PDF) to their potential clients at the first mortgage meeting. • ASHI is making plans to take these precedents to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to further brand home inspection as a form of consumer protection. ASHI’s allies on Capitol Hill are helping move these efforts forward. ASHI has already convinced the CFPB that homebuyers must be told that the appraisal is not a home inspection. • In response to a company that has threatened litigation against ASHI members who use infrared devices for inspections, ASHI has joined the leading anti-patent troll coalition in Washington, D.C. ASHI is doing its part to help pass legislation that will inhibit patent trolls from successfully threatening ASHI members. • Some in Washington, D.C., want to cut or eliminate the home mortgage interest deduction as part of a larger federal budget package. ASHI has asked its allies on Capitol Hill to protect the home mortgage interest deduction, as it is a crucial driver of revenue for ASHI members. • A tax deal that is being considered could raise taxes on smaller S corporations (like ASHI members) in exchange for reducing tax rates on large C corporations and multinational corporations. ASHI is strongly opposed to higher tax rates for S corporations and is telling its allies on Capitol Hill to oppose this concept.
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ASHI IS HERE FOR YOU!
By Jen Gallegos Reprinted from April 2018
Happy National Home Inspection Month! The ASHI Membership Team is excited to be part of such an important profession that helps millions of people make one of the most important and biggest purchases of their lives. Here at ASHI, we work hard to provide the tools and resources for our members to be successful in their buisness and in the profession. But what makes ASHI even more valuable is you, our members. You create a community that helps one another—by keeping each other accountable to standards and ethical practices, by helping inspectors who are new to the profession, and by answering questions and sharing your knowledge with the world. For all of that, we thank you! Below is an article I wrote about a year ago about our continuous work to create a mentoring program that will enhance the ASHI culture. I am happy to share that this mentoring program is moving forward, and with the help of the ASHI Membership Committee and the ASHI Board-appointed task force, we hope to soon roll out a successful program that will help many new home inspectors. The offer outlined in the article below still stands. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or would like to have a mentor, please contact me. ASHI is here to serve you!
H
ello, ASHI members! I hope that this spring season is bringing you lots of business and I want to tell you about some projects we are working on that will benefit you.
ASHI staff members gather at least twice a month to discuss ways in which we can better serve you and enhance the home inspection profession. ASHI HQ is the home base for a team of 15 people who strive to do their best, sharing ideas and suggesting improvements to processes that can make ASHI even better. With so many ideas, sometimes it can be difficult to accomplish everything on our list.
FOCUS ON RETENTION
Retention has always been a top priority for ASHI, but with recent changes in ASHI’s demographics and procedures, we have seen a greater fluctuation in our membership numbers than ever before. We often ask the question: Why? Which group is not renewing? How long have they been ASHI members? Are they reaping all the benefits we have to offer? Well, when we examined the reasons why people cancel their membership or do not renew, the majority of them said, “I can’t make it, so I’m closing my business” or “I’m going back to my previous profession because home inspection didn’t work out for me.” This left us with the question: How can we help? On the other end of the spectrum, we also have noticed transitions happening among members who are seasoned ASHI Certified Inspectors (ACIs). Many of them are ready to make the switch to become retired members of ASHI or they are retiring from the profession completely. So, if we have “newbies” not making it and we have many tenured ACIs retiring, where does that leave ASHI? This is the question I asked the ASHI Board at their meeting in January 2018. Many agreed that ASHI should focus on providing more services for new inspectors, including mentorship programs, peer reviews and specific programs to help new inspectors succeed in their business. 46
ASHI Reporter • NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION MONTH
ASHI STARTED OUT AS AN ASSOCIATION WHERE HOME INSPECTORS GATHERED TO HELP ONE ANOTHER. IT’S ABOUT GOING BACK TO GOLDSTEIN, THAT CULTURE. –ASHIMARVPAST-PRESIDENT I also talked about changing the culture—perhaps by asking our tenured inspectors to help the newer inspectors in the field. I said that I understand that there is competition, but what about showing camaraderie with one another? When I brought up this topic, ASHI Past-President Marv Goldstein said, “As one of the home inspectors who was around at the beginning of ASHI, it’s not about changing the culture— ASHI started out as an association where home inspectors gathered to help one another. It’s about going back to that culture.” Those words resonated with me and my colleagues. By keeping this idea in mind, we are planning goals and projects that will cater to new inspectors, and we are partnering with our chapters, affiliates and other allied associations to provide high-quality benefits for both new and long-term ASHI members, and everyone in between. Would You Volunteer to Be a Mentor? If you are an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) who is willing to be a mentor to a new inspector, please send a message to membership@ashi.org. We intend to build a list of members who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with new inspectors coming on board. Would You Like to Be Paired with a Mentor? If you are a member who would like to be connected with a mentor, please send a message to membership@ashi.org. We will find someone who can help you or we will partner you with someone in your local chapter while we work on building this program.
ASHI IS HERE FOR YOU!
ASHI wants to help you. We are here to listen to your needs, suggestions and wants, but we can only know them if you tell us what they are. Reach out to your local chapters, reach out to leadership and reach out to us.
We are here to serve you! Copyright © 2019 American Society of Home Inspectors ®, Inc.
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