Skip to main content

Why Real Estate Agents Should Refer “ACI” ASHI Inspectors vs. A “Board Certified Master Inspector” From NACHI

Sunday, February 9th, 2014 
I hope to clear up some confusion about what a true certification as a home inspector is versus one that is more “marketing hype”.  As real estate agents, you want to present the most professional image to your clients and the public.  As part of that image, you want to surround yourself with reputable and reliable referral sources who are bonafide experts in their respective fields.  ASHI Home Inspectors are the “Gold Standard” in home inspectors and the “ACI” is the highest level of certification available to home inspectors.  The “Board Certified Master Inspector” certification may sound impressive, but it is little more than a paid for certification.  There are no stringent requirements, only you pay a fee and claim you meet minimal requirements.  The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is the only home inspector organization that has a certification that is approved by The National Commission For Certifying Agencies.  This is a recognized third party accrediting association that has accredited ASHI’s profession-leading Certified Inspector Program. ASHI IS THE ONLY ASSOCIATION OF HOME INSPECTORS THAT IS ABLE TO MEET THESE THIRD PARTY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS!
There are a lot of good home inspectors in the greater Knoxville, TN area.  All are licensed (or should be) and most belong to some home inspector group or another.  But, please don’t confuse “marketing hype” with true certifications.  Certifications that are easily bought and obtained are meaningless.  Real Estate agents assume some liability for the persons they refer to their clients.  You should dig a little deeper.  Do you want your image associated with persons who are good at “marketing hype”, or, do you want your image associated with the most proficient, professional and respectable home inspectors possible?   More information about the ASHI ACI program is available at www.ashi.org
As an ASHI ACI, former municipal building inspector, former building contractor and SBCCI Code Certified “Chief Building Code Analyst” with over 21 years of experience in home and building inspections, we hope you will choose Accu-Spec Inspection Services for your next home inspection.  But, as a minimum, look for the ASHI seal of approval for your next home inspector, it is the “Gold Standard”.  Call us at 800-511-4880 or just click the link below in order to see our website at smokymountainhomeinspections.com  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

First Time Home Buyer Home Inspection Mistakes

  We have seen first time home buyers make some critical errors in regard to the home inspection process that can cost them money and aggravation. We offer the following advice as a guide to help you avoid those mistakes.   1- Not Having a Home Inspection: Some people do this to keep from spending 100s of dollars, but end up potentially costing themselves 1000s   It makes no sense.   2-Allowing the Seller to do repairs on Home Inspection findings.   The Seller has an incentive to use the lowest bidder to do repairs; or worse, do the repairs themselves.   In this case, the warranty on the work may not transfer to the new owner after the closing happens, then you are stuck with inferior work and little recourse.   Sometimes Real Estate Agents will ask Us to inspect after the repairs are completed by a Seller.   We don't recommend this as most of the time, we end up having to throw off on the repair, costing the buyer additional money; and making the agent and seller mad in th
Post a Comment
Read more
  Is Venting A Crawl Space Needed?   Traditional crawl spaces have typically been built over a dirt floor with ventilation air from foundation perimeter vents.   Recent building science studies conducted by various institutions including the University of Tennessee challenge this old way of thinking and indicate that we need to rethink traditional methods of building related to venting a crawl space.   As a Home Inspector, Home Energy Rater and Building Scientist I have witnessed many problems that moisture in crawl spaces can cause including condensation, wood rot, mold, buckling hardwood floors, smelly moldy carpets, mold in the attic, sticking doors and windows, dust mites and wood destroying organism/insect activity. I have often thought that crawl spaces are the most neglected areas of homes, and for good reason. After all, who wants to crawl into a moist, insect and rodent filled area?   In fact, most homeowners don't go there, shut it out of their minds and never thi
Post a Comment
Read more

When looking for a home inspector in Tennessee, what qualifications should I look for?

The most important qualification to look for is the number years the individual has been a Home Inspector. Caution: Home Inspectors will claim to have many years of experience, but they include experience in a trade or experience as a contractor.  Experience in a trade or as a contractor, while it may help in one aspect of the job, this experience will not make them a better at Home Inspection in general.  The second most important qualification to look for is education and depth of knowledge about Standard Practices contained in the State Building Code. Code certifications, and the more they have the better, are the best way to determine if a Home Inspector really knows what a "latent" defect is.  These "latent" defects are defects that are not obvious to an untrained eye, but can be important to your safety, and pocketbook, when buying a home. This is the reason people hire a home inspector in the first place- to find the defects that a casual inspection doesn'
Post a Comment
Read more