If you’re like many people, you probably think home inspectors need a background in construction or a related field. It does help, but it’s by no means necessary. Certified home inspectors come from many different backgrounds. Although the industry is rather male dominated, women are staking their claim and coming up quickly through the ranks.…
DetailsThere’s no single path to becoming a home inspector. Every state is slightly different. Fortunately, Illinois makes it simple. From learning about the industry to stepping out with your new license, each gain is a step toward a brand new career. Here’s how it’s done. Choose the Right Home Inspection Education Program According to Illinois…
DetailsYou’ll find plenty of outdated 2-prong outlets and inoperable 3-way switches throughout your career as a certified home inspector. However, some wiring defects are cause for immediate concern and quick intervention. What merits an ASAP fix? Here are 5 electrical issues that shouldn’t wait. #1: Overlamping at Light Fixtures While not technically a wiring defect,…
DetailsVoice-activated smart home hubs have moved past the trendy stage and are settling into the mainstream. They can dim the lights, play your favorite song and order a pizza when you don’t feel like making dinner. Now that Amazon Echo’s Alexa is a familiar voice around the house, Google has thrown its hat into the…
DetailsLeads are the bread and butter of the home inspection industry, but they’re not always easy to find, and some sources can disappear quickly. Locating leads can be particularly difficult for inspectors who are just starting out in the home inspection business. Finding leads before they’re snagged by competitors means getting creative in your search.…
DetailsClosing day is the pinnacle of one of the most stressful events a home buyer can face. For weeks if not months, they’ve negotiated terms, provided documents, submitted to untold financial checks and weathered one surprise after another. As their certified home inspector, you have the power to make the final walk-through a little less…
DetailsReal estate agents have the potential to drive a lot of business to home inspectors. It’s a longstanding tradition to bring along goodies when inspectors visit agents, but there’s a fine line between goodies and an ethical and legal dilemma. How can you treat agents with kindness and avoid an unwitting RESPA snag? Here’s what…
DetailsWarm weather invites people to relax in a deck chair or a comfy old rocker. Unfortunately, some defects make a deck or front porch structure unsafe for walking, much less spending a relaxing few hours with a good book. Here are 5 home inspection warning signs that outdoor living spaces need some TLC. #1: Loose…
DetailsAttics are handy spaces. Too bad they’re often misused by the most well-meaning homeowners. In your career as a certified home inspector, you’re bound to find some interesting and downright dangerous home defects in a space that was never designed for living. Here are a few that are more common than they should be. Inferior,…
DetailsWhether you call it a water heater or use the colloquialism, “hot water heater,” these appliances need serious attention to match the serious work they do every day. Like many other workhorses in and around the home, most of them go unnoticed unless there’s a problem. Water heaters run on electricity or a combustible fuel,…
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