Evolution of Home Inspections: ASHI, InterNACHI, and the Importance Today

Evolution of Home Inspections: ASHI, InterNACHI, and the Importance Today

A Short History of Home Inspections

Home inspections began in the early 1970s when home buyers started hiring general building contractors to perform pre-purchase inspections on homes they were interested in buying. As the industry grew and inspections rose in popularity, the term “contractor’s inspection” became “home inspector.” Many real estate brokers and their agents initially felt threatened by the home inspection industry. However, it didn’t take long before agents began to recognize that the idea of a professionally performed property inspection could help shield them from potential lawsuits.

The Founding of ASHI

With the founding of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) in 1976, home inspection guidelines governing inspection report content became available in the form of standards of practice. In time a larger trade association, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) came into existence and developed its own standards. Today, most inspections are performed in accordance with InterNACHI’s standards of practice as well as in accordance with local state licensing requirements.

The Right Inspection for the Right Market.

In a competitive market, such as the market we are in today, many buyers are opting to waive inspections. Buyers often compete with several other offers on a home and to sweeten their offer, many will choose to waive their right to a home inspection. This can be appealing to sellers who want to speed up the process and avoid delays and costs related to repair issues found during the inspection. When waiving an inspection, however, buyers rely on their realtors to be the expert on their home. The best way to protect yourself from liability is to get a professional inspection on the property. If you’re limited on the time you can access the property for, you can always opt for a Walk & Talk consultation. A Walk & Talk is not an inspection due to the fact that it does not allow an inspector to produce a report, however it allows the inspector to look at the major systems of the home and can save home buyers thousands of dollars later down the road. If the sellers won’t allow an inspection, it can sometimes indicate that there are major issues with the home. Walk & Talks can help clients make informed decisions when an inspection is not an option. It’s always a good idea to have a full home inspection even after you move into a property to create a checklist of things that may need to be fixed or replaced in upcoming months and years.

Conclusion

A home inspection should play a vital role in the home buying process, however it is important to select an inspector that will not be overly alarming and can offer solutions to issues that are found. At ProTec Inspection Services, we believe that purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial investments most people ever make in a lifetime. With tried-and-true specialty and home inspection services, ProTec will help bring you peace of mind during the buying process. We ensure that clients are making a well-informed decision by identifying any major defects or items that may need to be addressed. Call us today to schedule your inspection or Walk & Talk consultation.