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After years of failed attempts, it finally looks like we will have some licensing regulations in place for Home Inspectors in the State of Ohio by 2009. House bill (HB) 257 recently passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a wide margin (83-11). The bill will be reviewed by the Ohio Senate later this year when the legislature reconvenes after the November 4th election.
With all the problems in the last few years in real estate, it would be “political suicide” for any political official (wink, wink Gov. Ted Strickland) not to pass some positive legislation. Legislation designed to regulate & license Ohio’s home inspection industry is long over due.
For too long, any “Joe Schmoe” could print up a business card on their home computer and start a home inspection business. Because of this reason, there are inexperienced, unqualified inspectors in our area. This is a problem for a potential home buyer. The problems we have had in the home inspection industry are really “small potatoes” compared to all the other major problems in real estate (lenders, fraud, greed, non-disclosure, foreclosures, etc.). But, this is a good thing. This means legislation will probably get passed in the State of Ohio.
The new Home Inspection Licensing will probably include the following provisions:
1. Criminal penalties for performing home inspections without a license.
2. Creation of a process for investigating complaints filed against inspectors.
3. Creation of the Ohio Home Inspection Board to regulate the industry.
4. Creating minimum standards and guidelines for performing inspections.
Hopefully our state legislature will have the home inspection bill passed soon. I am confident that home buyers in 2009 will have the protection of home inspection regulation and licensing.
Home Inspector
Check out my previous past about “Home Inspection Nightmares”. This blog post also has good links to find qualified home inspectors in your area via The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)
Good luck out there!
This Old House magazine’s latest Home Inspection Nightmares IX (9) photo gallery is hilarious. My favorite photos are #1 (8 junction boxes) & #5 (cymbal diverter). I love this photo gallery series. You can also check out past Home Inspection Nightmare photo galleries. All the photos are very funny. But, all joking aside, the photos reinforce an important part of buying a home.
First, always get a home inspection. Never skip a home inspection just to save a little money. 100% of my clients agree to do a home inspection or I will NOT represent them as their buyer agent. A home inspection contingency is one of the home-buyers best protection options. Second, make sure you home inspector is qualified. About half the states in the country have little or no licensing requirements for home inspectors. In many states, anyone can print up a business card and say they are a home inspector, even your Uncle Bubba!
I would recommend looking for a “certified” home inspector that is a member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). Both of these organizations are very good at establishing high standards of practice, inspection guidelines, professionalism and code of ethics for its members in the home inspection industry. It is very important that you make sure your inspector is a “certified” inspector. A “certified” home inspector has more experience, education and testing requirements than other home inspectors. You can search here for home inspectors in your area: ASHI home inspector search or NAHI home inspector search. Good Luck!
Below is one of our award winning buyer broker TV commericals that deals with home inspections. Check out my previous blog post for more information on our funny, informative television commercials.
My Buyer Broker Advocate! 
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