Missouri Home Inspector Licensing Bill SB-651

[James E. Braun, CMI]

The main thing I see home inspectors miss because of following a basic SOP is water intrusions. If there is a water stain or mold visible, the inspector should be made to check it out with at least a moisture meter. Most of the homes I inspect have some type of leaking. All SOPs are adapted from other existing SOPs. All existing SOPs are Realtor friendly. Licensing does not protect the consumer, just protects the Realtors and their favorite minimal inspectors. Sad but true.

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by jbraun

The main thing I see home inspectors miss because of following a basic SOP is water intrusions. If there is a water stain or mold visible, the inspector should be made to check it out with at least a moisture meter. Most of the homes I inspect have some type of leaking. All SOPs are adapted from other existing SOPs. All existing SOPs are Realtor friendly. Licensing does not protect the consumer, just protects the Realtors and their favorite minimal inspectors. Sad but true.

If one follows the SOP IMO your giving someone a good home inspection. Which SOP are you referring to? NACHI states.

3.3. Basement, Foundation & Crawlspace

I. The inspector shall inspect:

1. the basement;
2. the foundation;
3. the crawlspace;
4. the visible structural components;
5. and report on the location of under-floor access openings;
6. and report any present conditions or clear indications of active water penetration;
7. for wood in contact with or near soil;
8. and report any general indications of foundation movement, such as, but not limited to: sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, and floor slopes;
9. and report on any cutting, notching and boring of framing members that may present a structural or safety concern.

From International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Residential Properties - InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/sop.htm#ixzz1l91f4sPj

[James E. Braun, CMI]

An example of present conditions is "The yard slopes towards the foundation", but does not explain anything more on what is going on. Clear indications is not a water stain, it is visibly seeing water pouring out of a foundation. Sad but true.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Gary -

The Kansas SoP reflect NACHI, ASHI and NAHI standards. NO state with licensing says the inspector WILL check EVERY ........ BECAUSE they know thats IMPOSSIBLE about 75% of the time.

OTHER than Texas and maybe the Carolinas and/or Oklahoma I can't THINK of any state or association that REQUIRES appliances testing.

BUT since SoP's are the MINIMUM anybody can do more if they want to.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Understand, but cheap inspectors go by these SOP's. Sad for home buyers. Not every, but all accessible items should be inspected; IMHO.

And agents do not want us to go over these SOP's, and those are the inspectors they recommend to buyers. Poor business practice for agents who consider themselves "professional".

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Gary - AGREED, but

That is the same EVERYWHERE that is licensed OR with all the state OR national associations.

[Patrick Carter]

bump

[James H. Bushart]

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/story/carla-horne-2-8

Meet NACHI member, Carla Horne.

While it was known by all at the time that she was pushing for a law in New Hampshire that would license and control home inspectors and that she was also lobbying for, and ultimately serving, a seat on the board that would write the rules for home inspectors ---- it is only now that it becomes publicly known that she sat at that same time on the legislative committee (that she now chairs) of her regional real estate board.

It is difficult to even imagine how the Chairman of the Legislative Committee for a Regional Real Estate Board would not consider the benefit of legislation to the real estate people who elected her to that position. It is not difficult, however, to imagine how this would be good for her home inspection business.

I wish we knew this three years ago.

Closely examine the inspectors in Missouri who are pushing for a similar law that would appoint them to a similar board who will be writing similar rules for Missouri inspectors. It will reveal much.

Just like the effort to create a board that will empower them over other inspectors, the attempt and the deceit behind it is nothing new.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Oh is that cool or what the heck.

[Gary Farnsworth]

We here in Kansas now have an appraiser on the board. What a crock.

It is frustrating what is happening to all government entities these days, from the president on down to the states.

They are the ones pushing us normal Americans to rebel. Perhaps that is what they want.

[James H. Bushart]

Much is being done.

Nothing is as it seems.

Right, Harry?

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Was told this AM that the House Bill (HB-1291) had its Public Hearing last week in Jefferson City (2/8/12) and was basically approved BUT not yet voted out of committee - the committee is apparently looking at some amendments or changes to the wording of the Bill.

I called a few legislators (most were out), but one I did speak with indicated that as they remembered it only about 3 or 4 inspectors were there. One from mid-Missouri and several from St Louis. I was told the mid-Mo inspector spoke against the Bill and the St Louis people spoke on the approval side (but didn't fully like the Bill either).

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Legislators NOT worried about paying for the HI Bill because we're told Realtors have supplied NEW information. We have 2,400 Inspectors in MO

UP from their estimated GUESS of 475 in 2008 / WOWIE is that cool or what

__________________________________________________ _________

Home Inspector licensing bills included "fiscal notes". Both assumptions below come from the " Legislative Research- Oversight Division" and both were signed off by the same CPA, Director Mickey Wilson CPA.

According to MAR stats homes sales in Missouri were overall down, minus - 6.5% from 2009 to 2011. Homes sold in Missouri were down, minus - 15.2% from 2010 to 2011 alone. Realtor membership at MAR was down, minus - 13% from 2009 to 2011.

Amazing that home inspectors have increased 5 times in the same approximate period according to the State of MO!


HB 1291 fiscal notes, 2012.
"According to DIFP, they assume the board would be similar in size to the board for Psychology. Based on a projection from the Missouri Economic Research and InformationCenter, it is estimated there will be approximately 2,400 licenses. In addition, a 3% growth rate has been estimated."

HB 2228 fiscal notes, 2008
"Officials from the Office of Secretary of State (SOS) - Business Services assume that approximately 475 applications for registration will be received the first year, with a 10% growth in the base number of applicants in home inspectors every year thereafter. It is further assumed that 10% of the base year applicants will not renew in year two."

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Almost forgot the other part of the Fiscal Notes:

__________________________________________________ __

The projected revenue reflects an initial licensing fee of

$220 per licensee beginning in FY 14 and renewal fees will not be collected until FY 16.

It is also important to note, that once the fees for the board are established by rule

other fees could offset the estimated costs.

It is assumed that all fees collected would be deposited into the Missouri Home Inspectors Fund and that all expenses would be paid out of that fund. It is assumed no revenue will be generated by the Missouri Home Inspectors’ Board in the first year, therefore, expenses incurred by the board will be paid back to the PR Fees Fund by a lending board within the division, pursuant to section 324.016, RSMo. It is estimated payback of any outstanding loans would be made in FY 2016. However, should the number of licenses largely vary from the number estimated above, the licensure fees will be adjusted accordingly."


GOSH how could the FEES differ with 2,400 inspectors in MO

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Lets do the math using the old 2008 number of home inspectors of 475 (which we all know is too high) The cost of a home inspector license would be $1,112.00 per inspector.

Now lets use the number of the most home inspectors that are really in Missouri, which is only 300. The cost of a home inspector license is $1,760 per inspector.

Looks like the orginal fiscal note of an earlier home inspection licensure bill of $1400 licensing fee is a bargain compared to the real number.

I do not know about you guys, but I do not like the real dollar amounts required of holding a home inspector license here in Missouri. Just do the math yourself.