Selecting a Home Inspector

Buying a home may be the largest investment you make in your lifetime. Hiring a good home inspector will increase the odds that you’ll make a good investment. Follow these tips to help select a qualified and trustworthy inspector. (For a detailed discussion on selecting a home inspector, see Kenneth Edward’s Home Buyer’s Survival Guide. Dearborn Financial Publishing, Inc. 1995)

• Get recommendations from people you know who have purchased homes in your area. The realtor who is selling the home shouldn’t recommend an inspector.

• Avoid inspectors who also do contracting or renovation work. They have a vested interest in finding problems with a home.

• Most states don’t license home inspectors, so try to find someone who has a long-term affiliation with a professional home inspector’s association. The American Society of Home Inspectors is one such organization. They require their members to pass an extensive entrance exam and take continuing education credits every year. Also ask for letters of recommendation, certifications or other credentials. Many universities offer certificate programs in home inspection.

• Look for someone who has errors and omissions insurance. Be sure to request a copy of their policy.

• Ask to see a sample of their final report. Many inspectors issue a simple form with checkboxes for the major systems that say Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. You’re better off with a detailed report that gives specific recommendations. You want to know if the 30-year-old furnace is satisfactory today, but can be expected to fail in the near future.

• Look for someone with a long-term record in your area who can provide VA and FHA inspections, and who uses certified EPA labs for chemical testing. These inspectors won’t necessarily cost more, but they will almost certainly provide a complete and professional analysis.

Joe Pescatello is an author, a real estate investor and commercial software developer. Visit http://UncleBobsAttic.com for a sample of his work.

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