Some Hints and Tips for Getting your Money’s worth out of the Home Inspection

Go to the website www.ASHI.org American Society of Home Inspectors

Find the box, “Find a Home Inspector,” on the right hand side of the screen towards the top. Put in a zip code that is close to the home you are buying in and do a search for home inspectors within a 25 or 50 mile radius. Look for ASHI Certified Inspector. These inspectors have met the following qualifications:

Must pass a comprehensive, written technical exam from ASHI Must have performed a minimum of 250 professional, fee-paid home inspections conducted in accordance with the ASHI

Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Must take mandatory continuing education to keep their membership in effect Members cannot engage in any activities that would be considered a conflict of interest, meaning they cannot offer or

provide any kind of repairs for a fee or get a referral fee or, “kick back,’ from any realtors or contractors or have a financial interest in the property they are inspecting.

To find an inspector that is a good fit:

• Check reviews on Angie’s List, Corporate Checkbook and other online review sites. • Ask the inspector if you can see a sample report to see what all will be covered. • If you have a specific concern at the home you are buying, ask what will be covered in the inspection regarding this item

and try to gauge the expertise of the inspector in this area. • Give yourself plenty of time to get the inspection done and to get the report, the best inspectors do book-up quickly so

don’t put off making the appointment, do it as soon as you can. The inspector may point issues that are beyond the scope of his inspection or that require a specially-trained professional, you will need time to set-up these additional inspections get their results.

Make sure you are at the inspection, bring a notebook to take notes, the report will not cover all the inspector will tell you and this is a great time to get some good tips on home maintenance tips that will be very valuable down the road. If the inspector doesn’t want you at the inspection, this is not a good sign. You are paying for their time and expertise, a lot of it is not going to be given to you if you are not there, in person, ready and willing to ask questions and take down valuable information as it is given.

Also, use the Self-inspection checklist that came with this class. Inspectors do not inspect everything and there is stuff you can inspect or that you can enlist friend and family members to inspect during the inspection period.

If the home has a sprinkler system, run through the zones to see if they work. If the system has been winterized, make a point to ask your realtor to get a copy of the winterization receipt. This will ensure the system has been winterized and will tell you who to call if you need help turning things on in the spring or with winterization the next fall.

If you are buying a stucco home, a stucco inspection can be a very good idea. Also ask any inspector you interview what their experience is with stucco homes. They generally cannot do the invasive stucco testing that is often required to fully inspect stucco and should not be used to replace this service, but they will know what else to look for in the inspection, as there are many common issues that are specific to a stucco home.

No inspector will ever find every issue with a home and even the best inspectors can miss items. Also, most inspectors are not experts in every area. If the home you are buying has an odd or unusual feature or something that is of great concern to you, make sure to ask the inspector specifically about it so it is sure to be included and inspected fully.

On the www.ASHI.org website you can click on the link, “For Homebuyers/Sellers,” on the left hand of screen for more information including a virtual home inspection video that walks you through the home inspection process.