THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD HOME INSPECTOR When you purchase a home you are usually making the biggest investment of your life. Would you want to take a gamble on your biggest investment? Of course not. That’s why you need to find a really good home inspector who can inform you about the true condition of the house you are buying, thereby removing some of the risk. Here are three things to look for in a good home inspector:
1. Expertise Some states do not require any type of licensing or certification for home inspectors. This means that anyone could call themselves a home inspector, show up, look around a house, and then charge your credit card. Even in many of the states that do require licensing for inspectors the licensing requirements are still minimal. You need to look for an inspector who is certified through a national organization such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), or NACHI (the Nation Association of Certified Home Inspectors). These organizations have entry requirements and continuing education requirements for all of their members.
2. Time You want to find an inspector who will take time to answer any questions you have about the home. If the inspector is too busy to talk to you on the phone or does not want you at the inspection, then find another inspector. Sometimes inspectors overbook their schedule, thereby leaving a very short window of time for each inspection. Ask the inspector how long they think the inspection will take. If they give you an estimate of less than three hours, then find another inspector. Unless the house is small, a good home inspection will take at least three hours.
3. Clarity Go to the inspector’s website and look at a sample inspection report. You want to find an inspector who will write a well-organized, easy-to-read report. Many home inspectors have technical expertise but are lacking in the ability to communicate clearly. If you can’t understand your inspection report then how will you know the true condition of the house you are considering buying? An organized report with lots of pictures is essential. If you can find a home inspector who is an expert in the field, who will give you his time, and will clearly communicate the true condition of the house, then you will take a big step toward protecting your biggest investment.
John Battaglia is the owner of At Ease Home Inspections in Atlanta, GA.