Should inspectors write their report observations in the past tense?

I say, “Yes.” It may help reduce your liability.

Isn’t the report a document stating the condition of the property at the time of the inspection? Yes. Then why use the present tense?

Read “Inspection Reports:  Past or Present Tense?” here.

InterNACHI is pleased to announce that the Washington State Licensing Board has approved InterNACHI’s free, online inspector training courses including:

• How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior course for 14 hours of home inspector continuing education.
• Electrical Inspection course for 4 hours of home inspector education.
• Safe Practices for the Home Inspector course for 4 hours of home inspector education.
• How to Perform Exterior Inspections for 16 hours of home inspector education.
• How to Inspect HVAC Systems course for 12 hours of home inspector education.
• Structural Issues for Home Inspectors for 4 hours of home inspector education.
• Roofing Inspection course for 4 hours of home inspector education.
• Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors course for 8 hours.
• Moisture Intrusion Inspections for 8 hours.
• Deck Inspections course for 3 hours of home inspector education.

CLICK HERE to see actual approvals from the Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board of the Department of Licensing.

And the  State of Tennessee Real Estate Commission approved InterNACHI’s What Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Know about Home Inspections course for 4 hours of CE.

• Do you inspect in Arkansas?
• Do you inspect in Illinois?
• Do you inspect in Mississippi?
• Do you inspect in Kentucky?

InterNACHI… #1 in inspector education!

CLICK HERE for the BEST INSPECTORS IN TENNESSEE

InterNACHI is pleased to announce that today the Oklahoma Committee of Home Inspector Examiners approved InerNACHI’s free, online home inspection courses for pre-licensing of home inspectors.  InterNACHI’s 134-hour pre-licensing course was approved along with two other free, online inspector courses.

Oklahoma had previously approved InterNACHI’s free, online home inspection courses for continuing education purposes.

For more information visit the Oklahoma home inspector approved education page.

The seller has accepted your clients’ offer and now with your help, your clients must choose a home inspector.   Should you steer them toward the inspector who writes the softest reports?  Should you steer them toward the inspector that pays to be on your office’s preferred vendor list?  Should you help them find the cheapest inspector?  The answers to these questions are of course no, no, and hell no.

You have fiduciary duty to your client and therefore must recommend the very best inspectors.  If you recommend a patty-cake inspector, an inspector who indirectly pays for your recommendation, or a cheap inspector, you violate your fiduciary duty to your client.

The National Association of REALTORs defines your duties in their Code of Ethics.  Article 1 requires you to protect and promote your client’s interests.  Article 6 requires you to disclose any financial benefit you may receive from recommending related real estate services (this includes benefit to your broker also).