Comments on Virginia Certified Home Inspectors: Licensing Debate: Raising The Bar

THe last part of the second comment struck a chord...

2006-09-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

THe last part of the second comment struck a chord with me - I have been taking an informal straw poll amongst the leaders of the real estate community in my area.

First and foremost - not all responded. In fact, MOST did not respond. Does that mean we are not on their radar as an issue (hard to imagine) or that even they - the leaders are still afflicted with the issues that Fred referred to - even they are subject to wanting the deal to go through?

My point in asking the local realtors about this issue was to get a reading but also to be able to start a dialogue with them that would be the groundwork for us VAREI working together with VAR to develop meaningful legislation.

This is CRITICAL to our success! By engagaing in a mutal discussion with VAR to develop a reasonable regulation, we approach this as two groups (i.e. two lobbyists). If the 'firnges' of each group then decide to argue the points then they will be seen as just that - a fringe effort. Otherwise, any dissenting realtor or inspector would have a voice with the same weight and gravitas as the original legislation.

The sceond commenter was arguing with Fred that

I disagree that most realtor want drive by inspect...

2006-09-22T20:03:00.000-05:00

I disagree that most realtor want drive by inspections. I agree there are bad apples in any group,including inspectors and realtors. I have discussed this issue with numerous realtors and I strongly believe most realtors want the best for their clients, a good inspection. What they don't want is incompetent inspectors creating issues for them to deal with that is not really an issue nor do they want minor issues overblown. They also want reports that they can understand. Realtors also want inspectors to be accountable for errors. From my point of view, most feel licensing will improve these issues. I am not overly in favor of licensing but I am deeply concerned with the reputation of the industry. Just this week I was shown a report...it was two pages long and absolutely pitiful. I read it three time and could not say what was inspected and could not clearly understand the issues or the severity of the issues. I was told the inspection took 45 minutes. In the short run, this benefits the good inspector, in the long run it hurts us all because it blemishes the industry. On top of this there is a growing trend where inspectors are not carring ladders, not entering crawl spaces, attics, etc and then there are inspectors stretching the ethical guidelines and doing what ever they see fit to make more money. It concerns me because as a home buyer it may become poor money spent and either skip the home inspection or hire tradesman to individually check systems. My final and most significant concern is that this industry is full of hard headed, strong minded people, has too many competing professional associations and I do not see us (the industry) ever banding together to effectively protect ourselves from poor legislation. I know licensing is coming and I really fear that we are too divided to have any influence over the process. That is why I question... would be ahead in the game if we as the industry were to formally seek support from VAR on a good licensing bill. Before I think it was more of a battle, if we keep it reasonable and seek their endorsement it may fly.

I believe the problems that arise with regulation ...

2006-09-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

I believe the problems that arise with regulation and licensing in the home inspection industry can be pegged to our close relationship with the real estate process. Real estate folks don't much care about electricians, plumbers, and HVACers but they care dearly about the home inspector. Hence we are thrown into the political arena in which others try to regulate us in ways that support their interests. The result--voluntary certification-- was a form of political appeasement, something the real estate community could accept and something inspectors and DPOR would accept. Future rounds will be no where near as easy.

It became obvious what the real estate community in Richmond wanted in the first round several years ago when the VAR proposed a licensing bill. Real estate folks as a group or at least those at the headquarters weren't much interested in the levels of professionalism espoused by those on this web site. In fact they wanted no exams and no standards just a nice little law that protected them but wouldn't harm too many deals. You can kind of understand their position, however.

Conscientious home inspectors want to do a good job and protect the client; certain real estate folks are not as interested in this as Bob Anderson alluded to in his post. We all know of those inspectors who do four a day, 800 a year and build in a percentage for returned fees and legal action. It is part of their MO. But the crux of the issue is why do they get so much business? It is because in their heart of hearts agents want the deal to go through. It is a tough competitive business and many agents don't have that many sales so fear of loss is a strong motivation. Good conscientious inspectors will find the problems and potentially hurt the deal.

This is why real estate organizations do not push for tough standards and competent inspectors. They want instead protection from legal blow back and the ability to point to a licensed guy as their referral.

It would be easy if we could form a coalition with real estate boards and push for strong inspection laws that above all else protect the public. But I am skeptical and certain that the real estate community isn't particularly interested in such an affiliation. Of course many conscientious agents are, but these are not the norm.

So this is our little cross as we go into the debate on October 7. How do we work with these people to provide good consumer protection that in many ways is counter to their interests? Yet we need them and they need us.

Take it a step further. A strong licensing law may mean fewer inspectors and less money for the state whose interest is to have a program that will support itself. Government regulators then may seek to weaken the law so more can qualify and to avoid putting restrictions on entry.

So faced with a strong real estate community and and an appeasing government, inspectors are going to have to have a level of vigilance and political influence that will ensure we don't get something we really didn't want.

Once we start negotiating with real estate organizations and government regulators, we are going to be in a position of having to modify our position. This is ridiculous to have to negotiate your professional standards but I believe it to be true.Enough of this and you are left with something worse than nothing and you have to pay for it!

I agree with Peter and Bob that something should be done but what and by whom is the question. I anticipate our Oct. 7 meeting in hopes there are some answers.

Fred