Things Potential Homebuyers Need to Know About Home Inspectors
A home inspection is important to potential homebuyers especially when purchasing foreclosed properties. This is because they are always offered as is, including damage and defects. Buying a home, without availing of home inspection services, means that you accept the house’s condition – damage and all – and will assume the liability and risks.
However, prospective homebuyers should be aware that there are inspectors who lied about their qualifications just to entice clients.
For example, one inspector in Knoxville, Tennessee learned that a fellow inspector has been claiming to have been doing inspections in the area for 12 years. In his brochure, the dubious inspector claimed that he was one of the officers of a real estate home inspection organization.
The Knoxville inspector, upon researching the organization mentioned by the dubious inspector, did not find anything linking the latter to the group. A license search showed that the dubious inspector has been licensed for only a year and three months. A license for inspectors was required only on July 1, 2006.
A search on the Internet can show fraudulent claims by other inspectors. Some claim that they have worked in the home inspection business for 16 to 20 years. Others claim to have done 1,000 inspections annually for more than 20 years.
Clients who are unaware of the ins and outs in the home inspection business may find it difficult to determine if an inspector’s home inspection certification, experience and background are real.
Realtors may play a role in helping potential homebuyers determine if an inspector has really been in the home inspection business for exactly the amount of time he claims.
It is then a must for potential homebuyers to learn about a home inspector’s credibility by researching his background and learning about his expertise. Ask other inspectors in your area whether the person you are planning to hire has been truthful about the amount of years he has been in the business.
