ASHI Reminds Homeowners That April is National Home Inspection Month
April is National Home Inspection Month and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reminds all consumers of the importance of obtaining a home inspection from a qualified and experienced professional.
Des Plaines, IL (PRWEB) April 12, 2006 -- More than seven million people will buy a new or existing home this year. While the majority of homeowners are on the right track with obtaining a home inspection for buying, selling and maintenance purposes, the difference in quality, and therefore, the protection of a homeowners’ financial interests, can best be realized when the inspection is performed by an experienced, professional home inspector. This April, National Home Inspection Month, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reminds consumers about the importance of having their home professionally inspected.
“April is the perfect time for a home inspection,” said ASHI President Joe Corsetto. The busy buying and selling season is not yet in full swing, and it is just after the winter months when weather can be especially tough on a home.”
Spring is also a time when homeowners begin annual cleaning rituals and start preparing for summer activities or even a home purchase or sale. Whatever the reason, consumers in the market for a home inspection need to remember that the person chosen to do the inspection is just as important as the inspection itself. “Working with an ASHI Inspector is a homeowner’s best assurance of a home inspector’s proven qualifications and professionalism,” said Corsetto.
Corsetto urges customers to hire an ASHI Inspector so they can be sure that the inspection includes the following major areas outlined in the ASHI Standards of Practice:
- Structure-- including basements and crawl spaces
- Exterior Surfaces-- including siding, decks and grading of soil
- Roof Coverings
- Plumbing Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
- Interior Surfaces and Components
- Insulation and Ventilation
- Fireplaces and Chimneys
Customers can learn more about these areas by taking an audio-guided Virtual Home Inspection at www.ASHI.org. This online tool simulates an interactive tour of a home’s 10 major systems, in accordance with ASHI’s Standards of Practice, providing an overview of each area, along with photos depicting common problems and defects. Although not meant to replace an inspection of their home, the tour provides great information for first time home buyers, sellers or people interested in learning more about a house and what to expect from a professional home inspection.
30 Years and Going Strong
April also marks the anniversary of ASHI’s founding in 1976, making it the oldest and most respected non-profit, professional organization of home inspectors in North America.
“The state of the home inspection profession 30 years ago was one of non-existence,” said Ron Passaro, ASHI’s founder and first president. “The law of the land was Caveat Emptor, let the buyer beware, and the home inspectors that did exist were a small handful of unorganized sole practitioners scattered throughout the country.”
ASHI has made significant progress in the 30 years since its founding:
Then: 57 charter Members
Now: 6,000 Members strong (a number that has doubled in the last 10 years).
Then: The law of the land was Caveat Emptor, buyer beware.
Now: ASHI’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics sets the professional bar for the industry and is recognized or written into law in many jurisdictions.
Then: Home inspectors learned from each other because formal continuing education didn’t exist.
Now: ASHI provides one of the best continuing education programs available. Depending on one’s learning style and preference, home inspection credit can be earned through ASHI sponsored events, from the convenience of home, at a local community college or at an ASHI endorsed classroom course.
Though ASHI has reached many milestones on behalf of the home inspection profession, when pointing out the organization’s most significant achievement in the last 30 years, Passaro said it best: “ASHI’s greatest accomplishment is helping its members protect and help home buying consumers make one of the largest financial decisions of their lives. There is nothing more endearing than homeownership and home inspectors have become a big part of that.”
For More Information
Home buyers who wish to know more about the American Society of Home Inspectors may contact the organization at 932 Lee Street, Suite 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Phone: 800-743-2744. Or visit the ASHI Web site at http://www.ASHI.org to locate a home inspector and for valuable consumer information regarding home inspections.
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