Home Inspectors: Report Writing 101 By: Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop Introduction We all like inspecting houses. It’s fun and challenging and we are really good at seeing things that mere mortals can’t. The “show and tell” with clients is rewarding, and the appreciation they feel at the end of the process gives us real job…
Read More
Inspecting On a Rainy Day In many places this winter there’s more rain then snow – at least so far. Do you inspect on a rainy day? In case you’re wondering, most inspectors we talk to do not slow down when it rains – in fact many assert there are items they can see far…
Read More
Pros and Cons: Lowering Fees in Slow Times This time of year inspectors agonize whether to lower fees to make it through the traditionally slow winter months. Appraisers are facing similar issues in this slowing real estate market. Some inspectors drop fees to generate business using “coupons” and “seasonal specials,” but seasoned pros say lowering...…
Read More
Home Inspectors: Inspecting Your E&O Insurance by David Brauner, Senior Broker, OREP Here’s a riddle that more and more inspectors are solving easily: how do you obtain errors and omissions insurance (E&O) and General Liability Insurance from an “A” Rated, Admitted carrier including an Additional Insured Endorsement for Agents and other Referring Parties, Termite and…
Read More
Inspectors: Golden Rules for Avoiding Liability By David Brauner, Editor Seasoned home inspectors say the golden rules for avoiding liability are simple- write what you see, say what you write and don’t sugarcoat anything! More specifically, report what you see and also what you don’t see- and why you couldn’t see it. They also suggest…
Read More
Inspecting Wet Basements by Alan Carson, Carson-Dunlop The problem is all-too-familiar to many homeowners. It is said that more than 98 percent of all houses have had or will have basement leakage at some point. Identifying the Problem The presence of efflorescence, a whitish mineral deposit on the interior of foundation walls, indicates moisture penetration....…
Read More
Home Inspectors: Key to Limiting Liability By Ross Herlands, ESQ Probably the single most important thing a home inspector can do to protect him or herself in the event of a lawsuit is to obtain a signed pre-inspection agreement prior to the inspection. Furthermore, one of the key provisions in such a contract is a…
Read More
Editor’s Note: The following is a (brief) excerpt from the story Successful Report Writing by expert Alan Carson. (Find answers to these questions and others: What are you trying to accomplish with the report?; What do clients want?; Format: electronic or paper?; Should you purchase vs. create your reports?; How to build a knowledge base?;…
Read More
Whether you are installing a new roof material or simply evaluating a roof’s current condition, paying close attention to attic ventilation is critical for several reasons.
Read More
Growing Web Business: Converting Visitors to Customers by Nick Gromicko A home inspector’s website should have only one goal; to convert visitors to customers. Here’s how it’s done. A home inspector’s website is not a newspaper, television, magazine or building. Unlike most websites it should not serve multiple purposes. Don’t give your visitor any freedom to find anything but...…
Read More
