And I can highly recommend Jeff Pope. He's a no-nonsense, experienced, well-qualified home inspector.

Jeff, I never said it was NACHI. Again, I'm not doubting their qualifications, they are very well respected in the real estate community and agents call on them quite a bit. I actually like them (husband and wife) a lot, I just don't think it was right for them to leave us hanging dry after making such serious claims and sending us to the department of building and safety and then leave us with no more answers than what we started with...which is none. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE REALLY MAD ABOUT. It is not personal, we don't feel it was the right thing for them to do.

You're right. Thanks, Jeff. CCI and MCI are the CREIA designations.

Hey, Alea.

Back in your second post, you said "That inspector IS a member of nachi" which led all of us to believe that he was a member of NACHI. However, NAHI and NACHI do sound the same and are almost spelled the same, so the confusion is understandable, especially since it is not the first time that someone has been confused about the two organizations.

Just another example of why the home inspection industry needs one national association, kind of like the National Association of Realtors. That's the only one that I'm aware of.

Just checked again, and yes they are listed as members of nachi. i'm trying to relocate that site where they were listed as president of the CA chapter

Hey, Alea.

While I found your address using mapquest, I looked in an old 1999 Thomas Guide of California, and that street had a totally different name. Private email on its way back to you.

Try an inspector from the American Society of Home Inspectors. www.ashi.com

A requirement for ashi certification is that the person do 250 inspections under an ashi certified member. I have never had a problem with one. Typical reports are over 20 pages and have photos.

If you think the house may have structural problems find one that is also a structural engineer and can make a report with a seal.

Actually, that's not true at all.

ASHI, while the oldest national association, is no longer the largest. NACHI has 9,600 members at this time and is one of only two national associations that require passing a knowledge exam BEFORE being accepted for membership. All the others, including ASHI, only require that one send in money to be accepted as a member, although most of them have different types of membership usually, but not always, indicating experience.

ASHI first starts you off as a Candidate member. All that means is that you have given them money. As ASHI discloses on their web site: "Candidates may be highly experienced inspectors who have just joined ASHI, or they may be novice inspectors who have completed training or otherwise entered the profession." There can be a big, big difference in those two, which is why many established inspectors are not members of ASHI.

Then they have a "Candidate with logo" membership. Right there on the web site it says, "ASHI has verified performance of 50 fee-paid inspections in substantial compliance with the Standards of Practice." Ever wonder how verification is accomplished, and what "substantial compliance" means? When I was a member of ASHI, they did not have this specific membership.

Then they have a "Member," a somewhat disingenuous membership type that really should be changed since all the other "members" are "members," too, just with a few other words added around "members."

Among the Member requirements are these: "Had inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI's Standards of Practice." and "Submitted valid proof of performance of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice."

Ever wonder what how many "inspection reports" had to be "successfully verified"? And the second sentence certainly would leave it open for one to perform 1,000 inspections, of which 750 did not "meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice" and 250 did. And what is "valid proof"? My bank statement? A notarized statement saying one did it?

You can find ASHI's requirements here:

http://www.ashi.org/inspectors/join/categories.asp

I think you'll find that NACHI's requirements are much more substantive if we base things simply on what is stated publicly on each organization's web sites. You can find NACHI's requirements here:

http://nachi.org/membership.htm

Notwithstanding any organization's membership requirements, and that includes AAHI, NAHI, FREA, HIF, SPREI, and the various state organizations, it's vitally important that one do one's due diligence concerning the qualifications of any individual home inspector. I would even go so far as to ask 10 Realtors who the "deal killer" home inspectors are, and then seriously considering hiring one of them.

It's my own judgment that home inspectors seem to come in three categories: deal killers (about 10%); competent inspectors who sometimes miss things but otherwise do a creditable job (about 80%); and those who are not competent, needing more experience, more supervision, or another industry to work in (about 10%).

I see that this POST is last August.. I just want to say that first of all if a real estate agents reccommend an inspector than the agent is liable. My E and O insurance company tells me to give the client options and not recommendation. Next, sorry to say NEVER trust what anyone says, do all the home work yourself, most people LIE or DONT know. No body can protect you but YOU. its funny, this was done wrong to you but this kind of stuff happens every single day. My guess, only an opionion of course, i am not an attorney but my guess is that the agent and or the inspector gave some kick back to each other, and odds are its best for everyone if you just shut up and by it. Realtors nor inspectors will protect you. Ethics, yes we have plenty of codes of ethics to READ, but they are only suggested codes of conduct and they ARE NOT LAW. watch you back and be pro-active.


Originally posted by Alea, CA:
Here's my situation: I am scheduled to close on a condo in the next two weeks and met with a home inspector referred to me by an agent I have known for quite a while. The home inspector is very knowledgeable and was described to me as someone "who won't make you sweat the small stuff but will definitely let you know if there is anything seriously wrong with your property." My answer was "great coz I don't care about cosmetic issues but I definitely want someone to look out for me and my investment."
I gave the inspector the address and she said she would go online and pull the permits and meet me at the property the following day for an inspection. The following day, as I am on my way to meet her, she calls and said that she "had some things she wanted to discuss." When we met, she said that she wasn't able to pull any records off the web but "thought" this complex had been "red tagged following the 1994 Northridge earthquake," saying that she was not 100% confident but still pretty sure that we were talking about the same property. Now, we were told the property was built in 2000. (????) Now, there is another complex listed under the same tract # that was there in the 80's and I'm wondering if there's a possibility for confusion. Anyways, she quickly walked around the building going "oh my gosh, look at that without really explaining why she looked so worried then we went inside the unit and pointed out how the floor was slainted, the cracks on the garage's floor going "oh wow can you believe that???" and yes she had me completely freaked out without giving me anything concrete to go by except her gut instinct. Amount of time spent inspecting: 15 min. Amount of time spent scaring the hell out of me with nothing to back her claims up: 45 min.

She ended the tour by saying that she would look into it, make some calls, research some more and that she would give me a call that same evening to give me the low-downn on what she refered as "the property with the stigma attached to it" but that as of "right now" she wouldn't want her name on the inspection report so she wasn't going to charge me for the time she spent "inspecting."

Alright, here are the issues that I have:

#1 that evening, she never called. Yeah, thanks a lot! My bf and I were on pins and needles waiting for her to call us to tell us facts vs. theories of what she thought the story was...and nothing. Not cool!
Call me crazy but making as bold of a statement as "hey I think this property was there prior to 2000 and Im pretty sure it was red-tagged once" is nothing to take lightly...but give me something to back it up, some proof or something so that we have ammunitions to get out of our contract based on your SERIOUS FACTUAL findings. That's all I ask, really.

#2 The next day, mid-day, still no call. Between me and my bf, we left 5 messages urging her to call us to let us know what she found. Finally, my bf calls again in the evening and she picks up saying she was just gonna call us. Fine whatever. She proceeds to tell him that she really wasn't able to pull any records so she didn't have anything new to tell us except "I would go to the building and safety department if I were you and try to pull as much info as you can and fax me everything you find then I'll tell you more."

FINE. The next day, I spent 5 1/2 hours there and get every record, permits, certs...I can find. From what I was given, no document indicates that the property was red tagged. Fax everything to her. Leave a message and ask her to call to let me know she received everything. She never does. Now I'm fuming.

Next day, my bf finally gets a hold of her as she says "oh it's funny i was just gonna call you guys." OK STOP THE BLEEDING, FOR REAL!
My bf asked her what the lowdown was and all she can say is "well, I wouldn't buy it, it's high risk."
Us: "ok why?"
Her:"i don't know why you want to buy there, you could get a lot more home somewhere else."
(ok, this is not what we're asking here. What we're asking of you is to give us facts backing up your claim that the property is high risk. We can't possibly go back to the developper saying "we're backing out because some inspector THINKS the property is high risk. As a matter of fact, she thinks she remembers it getting red-tagged at some point in time but she can't prove it. GIVE US SOMETHING!!!
my bf: did you look at all the documents we faxed you (37 pages), the occupancy cert was issued, we have the permits but we need your expertise to tell us what all these documents mean...You DID take a look at what we faxed you right?"
her: "huh, hmmm, yea and I can't put my name on the inspection. You should really look for something else, there are so many properties on the market right now, you could get a house for that price. Call me if you want us to look at another property."

And that's basically IT. THANKS A LOT. THIS IS THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL THING SHE COULD HAVE DONE!
How can an inspector who's very well known and reputable in our industry leave someone hanging like that??????
How can someone make such a serious claim on a huntch and not back it up!?????
What? Are we supposed to forget it and buy it while thinking that there might be a chance that the bldg is going to collapse on us at any given time???? ARE YOU FOR REAL???!!!

If that was the case, and the property was indeed red-tagged or there prior to 2000, wouldn't the developper disclose that? This is serious stuff and I'm sure if it wasn't disclose, i'm sure they would face the biggest lawsuit ever recorded. (I did mention that to her and her answer was: " oh they can chapter 7 the corporation as soon as all the units are sold and you would have no recourse. Then they could start up a new corp. and do it again. Developpers do it all the time.")

GREAT, ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD TO MAKE OUR PURCHASE TRANSACTION EVEN MORE SCARY????!!!!

Bottom line: I need some serious advice because i'm freaking out (over something, maybe...over nothing, maybe). What can we do to get peace of mind here? Please help. Thank you all. [/QUOTE]

A good friend of the buyer not party to the transaction recommended the inspector, if I read it correctly.

what does this mean "Originally posted by Alea, CA:
Here's my situation: I am scheduled to close on a condo in the next two weeks and met with a home inspector referred to me by an agent I have known for quite a while. " in the first sentence. If it was not an agent than fine, don't get your tail feathers ruffled.

As this is an old post, the deal is long done or dead.
However there have been several posts here, that have some true statements and some so far off base they should be looked at.
The only thing that will not go away is the fact that some realtors and home inspectors do work together in an unhealthy relationship.
Other agents work with specific inspectors because they know the client will have their needs and concerns taken care of to the best of everyon's ability.
First as has been said... An association does not make an INSPECTOR.... Only training and experience does. Many inspectors have some form of training, but still do not know their head from a hole in the ground. They rely on mentionning, that they are a member of CAHPI, NACHI, ASHI, or whatever.
When checking out the inspector... and all realtors should advise the client to try to talk to the inspector themselves before the inspection.
Ask the inspector... "WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND" Does the inspector actually know what a house is? (Some do not)
As an Inspector who actually was in construction for over 25 years and renovated 100 year old houses as well as built new houses, I can say I know how a house works. This is what is really important. Being knowledgeable about a house. AS well as being able to impart that information to the client.
Just background in construction though can also leave out information. That is why training is also important. I have had so many courses, bot in class as well as online that both NACI and CAHPI recognise and will continue to educate myself... so I can help educate the buyer.
The first comments from Alea's Inspector (who started this thread) are inexcusable. If the inspector made comments like she stated, the Inspector was out of their league and should have advised the client.
Just calling NACHI or ASHI will not mean you are getting a knowledgeable inspector.
ASK THEIR BACKGROUND!!!
What training do they have? Then of course being a member of a professional association should create a bit of accountability, but does not mean they are good!
However comments and actions like Alea described are absolutly unprofessional, and should be reported to the association they are affiliated with.

So SHOULD AN AGENT REFER AN INSPECTOR?
This can be answered both ways. Many good agents will refer an inspector as they know the inspector will help the client.
Others are "looking to make the deal." One agent called me the other day. The agent told me "his inspector makes sure the deal comes together, no matter what"
The client himself called me and asked me about two properties he was interested in. He interviewed me for sometime and was very impressed with what I was able to tell him on the phone. When we were done the two houses the client walked from one house, because of what he knew. (It was the realtor's personal house)
The realtor called me and gave me a blast for blowing the deal. I was told I would not be getting any more work from this agent. I advised I report what was onsite and that was all. I do not advise the client to buy or not to buy. I stated as the realtor, it is his job to ensure the client's wants are taken care of.
The client told me he was so impressed on what and how I informed him that is as well as his family is coming back to me for several more investment properties. All around.. I win. But even more so, so does the client.
Over the last 2 years and 400 inspections, this is the second agent I have lost beacause they did not like what was revealed during an inspection.
One agent said to his client. "If what we see in this house does not suit you, we will just go find another!" Now there is an agent who looks after his clients, even if it means more work for him. I love to work with realtors as this as I know their client benefits in the long run.
Or one agent I know tried to encourage the buyer to get an inspection. Her client told me directly that "she did not see the benefit of an inspection." the agent felt very strongly as this was a first time purchase on an older home. The agent actually paid for the inspection out of her own pocket to help the client to be informed. When we were done, the buyer told me she now sees the value of a home inspection. I have to take my hat off to the agent as she went so far to help her client.

Hey Barrie Inspector
Thanks for the information. I am glad to see there are honorable inspectors. Having Sold homes in ID, OR, and MT . I am not confident in Home inspection. I have had inspectors ask me if I want the inspection to pass or fail. I guess some folks use inspections to FAIL a deal to get earnest moeny back because they change there mine. I told the guy we just want the facts, the truth. He passed so may items that later were huge issues, this has happened to me over and over with home inspectors. I do reccommend inspections but I can never reccomend a particular inspector no matter what opinion or experience I have because MY E and O insurance provider has told me that they will not cover me if I recommend an inspector. However, I know know from legal matters I have witnessed that if the inspector passes the house and latent defects come up later that the Inspector is liable and the Realtor is "off the hook". A Lawyer told me this. The current deal I have knowledge of there was no inspection, and thank goodness because it sounds like they would not have found the major structural issues that a licensed engineer found. And than the real estate agent and the Seller that lied and covere up major issues, would slide out of the deal.

I now would say, hire an engineer to inspect the home, look for Red Flags yourself and hire inspectors in that expertise. Where you are things may be dif. But in rural OR, MT, and Idaho it seems to me that inspectors get online accredidation, have experience as contractors which does not mean alot because that is just a 70$ fee here and anyone can be a contractor. And if I aske their experience, they lie or make something up and most are only inspectors because they did not make retirement money from contracting and need to work after their kneew and back have given out. No offense to YOU, you sound honorable. But you are one of the few.
Have a Great Day and Keep on keeping those Buyers out of Trouble they can't see. and I commend you on standing up to the unscruplous Realtor, blow the deals. Maybe we can someday prove that honesty pays in Real Estate. http://www.TenLakesRealty.com

Here is anothers attorneys view about agents, buyers and inspectors:
http://www.frascona.com/resource/oef202pass.htm

Actually, no inspector should ever pass or fail a house.
That simply is not his job.
His job is to identify readily visual items that may need attention.
If any inspector mentions a house "passes" or "fails", he should be given a slap on the side of the head and get a real inspector.
As mentioned, a structural engineer can identify some items in an area that a regular home inspector cannot identify. However this is a more exhaustive examination and is not the usual format. Remember, a home inspector should not be moving items in a home or taking items apart.

I just returned from an inspection and the mother in law was onsite and asked me to identify the items they should take back to the vendor.
I advised her my report goes only to the client paying for it and is addressed as the client taking care of items mentioned. An inspector should not get involved in that area. If they want any items repaired by the vendor they should address this to their agent only. After all it is their agent who is representing their best interests.