When a business executive has to uproot his/her entire family and move to a new home in another town because of his job, the last thing he needs is a house full of problems.  A leaky roof, a flooded basement or a temperamental heating system are more than just nuisances.  They represent unexpected financial hardships and unwelcome distractions from the responsibilities of his/her new position. In order to ensure that the housing aspect of their relocation goes smoothly, people who are anticipating a corporate move in the near future would be well advised to hire a professional home inspector before committing to the purchase of their new house.  A pre-purchase home inspection will provide them with an evaluation of the mechanical and structural components of the house before purchase is made, thereby avoiding unpleasant surprises and repair expenses after the move. Perhaps the most important part of the home inspection process is the selection of the home inspector.

     
     This is not as simple as it might seem.  The profession is relatively new and, in the absence of State or official regulation,  many unqualified amateurs have attempted to make their fortune by setting up shop as home inspectors virtually overnight.  For an individual who is moving to new and unfamiliar surroundings, the difficulty is greatly compounded by having to make these arrangements long distance.

     We recommend that, when a family is considering a move to a new location, one of the first steps should be to contact the American Society of Home Inspectors.  ASHI^® is an international not-for-profit organization of independent home inspectors which can serve as a central network of home buying information for the families of corporate executives on the move.

     ASHI's Code of Ethics forbids its Members from engaging in any activity which might be construed as a conflict of interest.  For example, an ASHI^® inspector may not use home inspections as a vehicle to obtain repair contracts or even to recommend a contractor for repair work, lest he be suspected of giving biased evaluations.

     ASHI^® not only defines its Members' responsibilities, it individually screens applicants on the basis of technical expertise and professional experience.  Once admitted, an ASHI^® inspector must earn educational credits each year to demonstrate that he has stayed current with the latest building technologies and inspection techniques.

     Only individual inspectors, not whole companies, may become Members of ASHI^®. Home buyers should be wary, therefore, of firms that claim to adhere to ASHI's Standards unless they can verify that the individual inspector is affiliated with ASHI^®. To obtain the names of ASHI^® inspectors in their new home towns, home buyers may write or call ASHI at 932 Lee Street, Suite 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016. 800-743-2744.  (ASHI members on Internet)   
What if the report reveals problems?


REALTY CHECK INSPECTIONS recommends, as competent inspectors will, that the client accompany the inspector on the home inspection in order to learn more about the house first-hand and to ask specific questions as they arise.  Please remember that there is no such thing as a dumb question.  In a relocation situation this is not often possible, and so it is critical for the home buyer to inform his/her inspector in advance if he will not be able to attend.  The home inspector will then include as much detail and information as possible, since the inspection report will be an important factor in his final purchase decision.

     Finding faults in a home doesn't necessarily mean one shouldn't buy it, only that the type and amount of repairs will be known in advance. Many sellers are willing to renegotiate the purchase price or initiate repairs because of significant problems discovered in an inspection.
After the inspection, a buyer can proceed with the transaction confidently, having the peace of mind that comes from making a well-informed decision.  Given that relocation is already a stressful time for the executive and his or her family, a pre-purchase home inspection can be a crucial element in making the transition a successful one.  Best of luck!  Jim Oler�