As a profession, home inspection can be incredibly rewarding, but the journey there doesn’t need to be as challenging as you might think! Home inspection became a major component in real estate back in the mid-1970s. It is best defined as a form of consultancy which helps homebuyers gather the information they need, before making a huge financial decision.
What a Home Inspector Does
Real estate can be a high-stakes gamble, and knowing how to raise your odds is crucial in today’s competitive economy. Home inspectors offer buyers the reassurance that they aren't always in it alone; that there is a helping hand to be found. Very often, the client will find the most suitable home inspector through a real estate agency and sometimes, will even join the inspection, so as to get the information first-hand and immediately.
Making the Decision Easy
Home inspection allows modern homebuyers to make the most informed decision possible as to whether they are making a worthy investment. Once the buyer and seller have negotiated and agreed upon a specific price, a contract is put together and both attorneys go over the necessary details. This is when the home inspector comes in. A step before the contract is signed by both parties, the inspector will use his or her expertise to inspect every aspect of the home from the plumbing to the roof to see where any issues lie and any potential future costs that the new homeowner may not be aware of. This information is used to then update the price and agreement between the buyer and seller.
What the Process Involves
From visual evaluation to operational testing, inspectors make sure all the right boxes are ticked on a potential sale. This involves checking out the exterior, interior, basement space, attic space and garage. An assessment of the exterior will involve checking out the roof, outer walls, chimneys and drainage systems of the house. Attic and crawl space evaluation will mainly involve checking for efficient ventilation and insulation. Then there is the interior evaluation, during which the doors, windows, plumbing and electrical outlets are looked at. On top of this, inspectors might also offer valuable advice on how to keep the home’s condition top-notch. This consists of advice on domestic sustainability – important, everyday things like changing furnace filters, plumbing requirements and so on.
The Importance of Home Inspection in Today’s Economy
Often times, a possible purchase can be entirely dependent on the results produced after a home inspection. For this reason, inspectors have the power to make or break potentially life-altering deals. This means that home inspectors need to be highly qualified and vastly knowledgeable in their field –and this is where the important stuff comes in.
Education and Certification Needed
When it comes to home inspection as a career choice, specialized training is extremely important and the specific school responsible for this training will provide budding inspectors with the opportunity to earn certification. Of course, the school will depend on personal preference –and receiving the certification will depend on how well the training goes. Just like school, earning a certificate comes with hard work and commitment, but being focused and motivated certainly pays off!
Training Opportunities Available
There are numerous educational opportunities available from a range of different companies, including options like classroom training and in-depth distance learning. At the end of the course, you will be awarded a certificate if you stick to schedule.
What Certification Demonstrates
Certification exists in order to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the field of home inspection. It gives your title as “home inspector” that appealing professional quality. Today, most clients will go out of their way to seek the services of a certified home inspection.
The NAHI Certified Real Estate Inspector Program
The National Association of Home Inspectors' (NAHI) Certified Real Estate Inspector program is a good example of certification that offers the chance to really validate your proficiency in all areas of home inspection. The NAHI is divided into two sections. Budding inspectors will be required to pass both a CRI exam consisting of 140 questions, and an experience component – effectively going through and passing a series of 250 full mock home inspections. The exam will cover topics such as structure and foundation of housing, exterior and interior, HVAC, environmental hazards, electrical outlets, plumbing, and indoor air and water quality. There are specific study materials and recommended readings for the exam. These include textbooks on general home inspection, modern carpentry, residential construction and troubleshooting. Other suggested topics to cover are termite control, plumbing basics, building dampness, wiring and home repairs. Visit the NAHI website for more information on how to prepare. Certification serves by helping both inspectors and clients at the same time. It helps inspectors by providing a solid base upon which they can gradually build a solid reputation in real estate, and it helps clients by setting a standard for high-quality inspection service.
