Home inspections
This past week, I was at a seminar for first time home buyers. The speaker was a licensed home inspector in my state. His presentation was excellent, and he provided the audience with a wealth of useful information.
What struck me was not what he said, but what he didn’t say. It was clear to me, that there is no real national standard for home inspections prior to the purchase of a new home. Every state has its own standards, and while there are suggested or reckimended industry practices, they are not universally followed or enforced.
The requirements for led paint removal, smoke detectors, and even electrical systems differ from state to state. In some states, the inspectors must be licensed and registered, while in others, the standards are not strictly enforced.
I don’t want to suggest that the federal government get into the business of regulating home inspections, but wouldn’t it be nice if no matter what state you live in, the highest ethical and safety standards were the same? Wouldn’t you want to know that the person inspecting your new home can be held accountable for their findings and recommendations?
Home inspections
This past week, I was at a seminar for first time home buyers. The speaker was a licensed home inspector in my state. His presentation was excellent, and he provided the audience with a wealth of useful information.
What struck me was not what he said, but what he didn’t say. It was clear to me, that there is no real national standard for home inspections prior to the purchase of a new home. Every state has its own standards, and while there are suggested or reckimended industry practices, they are not universally followed or enforced.
The requirements for led paint removal, smoke detectors, and even electrical systems differ from state to state. In some states, the inspectors must be licensed and registered, while in others, the standards are not strictly enforced.
I don’t want to suggest that the federal government get into the business of regulating home inspections, but wouldn’t it be nice if no matter what state you live in, the highest ethical and safety standards were the same? Wouldn’t you want to know that the person inspecting your new home can be held accountable for their findings and recommendations?
