Fifty years ago, only one in 50 homes were inspected before a sale. We have since seen a seismic shift in pre-sale inspections, with most buyers expecting one before completing a transaction. This is, of course, for good reason — inspections provide peace of mind, help in negotiations and identify items that might need improvements.
But how do you find the right home inspector, one who is not only qualified but will also
answer all your questions? You may have a roster of people you’ve worked with
in the past, or your client will get recommendations from friends and family. Either
way, there are key questions to ask to ensure they will meet your client’s
expectations and yours.
Are you licensed? Home
inspectors should always meet all local licensing or registration
requirements. You should be familiar with what those requirements are and
ensure that any home inspector your customer selects is properly
credentialled. In addition, ask the inspector if they have access to
ongoing education and re-certification,
Organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®),
and International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI™),
and the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI®), provide home
inspectors access to continuing education. NIBI requires each inspector
pass a re-certification test annually. If a home inspector cannot provide details
on their credentials, it might not make sense to have them on your
list.
How long have you been in home inspections? Home inspectors who have more experience, like any profession,
know what to look for and what could go wrong in a home. But don’t let
experience be the only deciding factor when choosing a home inspector, as
many home inspection franchise organizations thoroughly train their new
owners to operate at a professional standard. For example, our franchise,
HouseMaster, which has operated for more than 40 years, has a blend of franchise
owners from all walks of life. What links all of them together is the
collective experience of our organization. That is something to carefully
evaluate when deciding on an inspector – where were they trained and who
trained them.
Do you run a full-time home inspection business? Professionals who work for a full-time home inspection company are
likely to be more thorough, offer one stop shopping for multiple
inspection services and be more convenient to work with when scheduling
the inspection. There can be good part-time inspectors, but unless that
inspector is working for a full-time home inspection business, they may
simply be less experienced and current as an inspector backed by a full-time
company.
What other important ancillary services does the
inspector offer? This is not a requirement, as
you are hiring a home inspector to complete a trusted, thorough inspection
on a property. As mentioned, additional services such as termite
inspections, water quality testing and radon screening can also be helpful
to potential homebuyers. Not only that, knowing the full scope of what a
home inspector offers can also help you be a resource for clients and
build those long-term relationships essential for sustaining a real estate
business.
(Ask yourself)
How is your rapport with the inspector? Take a
moment to ask yourself: how do you get along with the inspector? This is
an important person in a crucial moment of the home buying cycle. Could
you ask direct questions? Did the inspector explain things thoroughly and
objectively? This is a very important indicator that you’ll get the most
out of your inspection.
Overall, home inspections are a crucial part
of the home buying or selling experience. Your client should always take the
time to find the best home inspector for them, who they can work with to ensure
they get the information they need to feel confident in the home sale.
About the author:
Kathleen Kuhn is President and CEO of HouseMaster, the original home inspection
franchise. She oversees an organization with more than 320 franchise locations
across the U.S. and Canada. HouseMaster® has an average net promoter score
(NPS) of 92, a near-perfect customer service mark that puts it ahead of the NPS
of some of the most customer-centric organizations like Ritz-Carlton and Apple.
Kathleen Kuhn is President of HouseMaster, the original home inspection franchise. She oversees an organization with more than 315 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada.