Posted by Jim Higley on January 03, 2000 at 04:03:51:
In Reply to: Re: Getting house ready to sell posted by Julie Signore on August 08, 1998 at 14:04:44:
: : Mary Lou,
Is a publication available that tells, in order of importance, what will help a house sell.
eg. Front Entrance must me showcase, closets should be as empty as possible, gararge should be empty etc.
: : Something to consider is having a home inspection done by a general contractor before the pest inspection. There are often many items that a contractor or home inspector can detect and fix before the pest inspection. Some examples are floor boards and foundations with dry rot.
: : If these items were found by the pest inspection company you may be required to replace more than needed.
: : Working with a general contractor to repair minor things throughout your house will save you time in escrow. This is especially important for older homes.
: : If you have worked with a contractor in the past ask him to do the inspection. You can also look in your phonebook under home inspectors. When all repairs are completed ask the contractor to give you a written report that the house is in good shape.
: Aloha MaryLou & Lorna..
: I *have* to respond to the above comments in all due consciousness to provide a bit more accuracy & clarity.
: In regards to a Home Inspection....Please refer to your yellow pages & seek a certified member of ASHI. You need to look for someone with credentials from ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) ASHI sets the standards for the industry of Home Inspections. These guys also go through extremely rigorous testing, they are an ASHI candidate for 2 yrs & need to complete 250 successful Home inspections. Once that is complete they may sit for the rigorous exams -- if they fail even one they need to take them over again at a later date. Once they are members they need to maintain a minimum of 60 continuing ed points every 3 yrs to keep their membership.
: Yes, a contractor *could* do a home inspection , yet he may have been a liscenced roofer or framer etc...a lis. contractor is totally different than a n ASHI inspector.
: Another thing you need to keep in mind is "conflict of interest." You would not want someone to inspect your home thatwould also repair it for obvious reasons. Also, the Home Inspector can tell you if there is termite damage -- if not you won't even need the pest inspection. Please note: in some states such as HI. the laws say that the inspector may only state they *suspect termites* if they are not a lis. exterminator.)
: If you go w/an ASHI inspector ...you will be hiring a trained eagle eye that is trained to do a very thorough inspection. If you hire a reputable Home Inspector with the appropriate credentials they will not attempt to gain work from their findings & a good one will be able to refer you to the appropriate person for repairs.
: One last thing, CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection Association) works basically in CA. (many are also ASHI members) ...ASHI is International. What happened was ASHI started in CT & CREIA started in CA. ASHI grew & engulfed the land yet *both* of these assoc. worked together to form what is now the Standards of Practice & the Code of Ethics for the Industry. Both assoc. have the same form of rigorous testing & the requirement of ongoing continuous ed.
: Hope this clarifies the distinction between a lis. contractor as a Home Inspector & the certification of an ASHI Home Inspector.
: Much Aloha,
: Julie Signore -CEO
: 1,2,3 SORT IT - Organizing Solutions - Innovative Tools
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: p.s. I am married to an ASHI Inspector :)