IMPORTANT NOTICE The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI ® ), its chapters, and when applicable its members offer the following set of slides and accompanying comments for general information purposes only. The following slide presentation is therefore general in nature and cannot and should not be relied upon as being fully accurate since its content is necessarily abbreviated. ASHI Certified Members and Chapters do not necessarily represent the views, policies or opinions of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and are not agents of ASHI. ASHI's website (ASHI.com) provides the full set of Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics which must be read in their entirety. ASHI, ASHI'S chapters and ASHI's members assume no liability whatsoever for the content or use of all or any part of the slide presentation. IMPORTANT NOTICE The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI ® ), its chapters, and when applicable its members offer the following set of slides and accompanying comments for general information purposes only. The following slide presentation is therefore general in nature and cannot and should not be relied upon as being fully accurate since its content is necessarily abbreviated. ASHI Certified Members and Chapters do not necessarily represent the views, policies or opinions of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and are not agents of ASHI. ASHI's website (ASHI.com) provides the full set of Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics which must be read in their entirety. ASHI, ASHI'S chapters and ASHI's members assume no liability whatsoever for the content or use of all or any part of the slide presentation. Copyright The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI) 2013 All Rights Reserved

Welcome Welcome Copyright The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI) 2013 All Rights Reserved

Introduction  Why you should use an ASHI ® Certified Inspector?  To help you understand what a home inspection is and is not  The home inspection process Copyright The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI) 2013 All Rights Reserved

Agenda  How to choose a professional home inspector.  About ASHI ®  What is an ASHI ® Certified Inspector?  What is a home inspection?  Why all real estate agents should recommend a home inspection.  Why you should also recommend a home inspection for pre-sale and new construction.

 Buying a house is one of the biggest investments someone will ever make  Buyers do not want surprises (and neither do real estate professionals).  Buying a house is one of the biggest investments someone will ever make  Buyers do not want surprises (and neither do real estate professionals).

How to Choose a Professional Home Inspector A consumer should look for the following items when selecting a home inspector: Should be professional and an ASHI Certified Inspector ®. Subscribes to the ASHI Standards of Practice and ASHI Code of Ethics. Mandatory continuing education – 20 hours per year.

Why you should you use an ASHI Certified Inspector  ASHI was founded in  America’s oldest professional home inspection organization.  ASHI‘s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are the most respected.  ASHI is the premier non-profit home inspection association.  Goal – to build customer awareness of the importance of a quality, professional home inspection while maintaining the highest standards in the profession.

What is an ASHI Certified Inspector ® (ACI ® )  ASHI’s ACI program is officially recognized by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a third-party independent certifying agency.  ASHI is the only nonprofit association for home inspectors accredited by an outside certifying organization, NCCA. Some home inspection associations offer their members “self-made” certifications that have no independent third-party credibility behind them.

What is an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI)  Has passed the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics Exam.  Has passed the National Home Inspector Examination ®. A 4 hour, 250 question exam that has been adopted in whole or in part by approximately 37 states as part of their pre-licensing requirements to measure entry level Home Inspector competency.

What is an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI)  Must complete 250 fee-paid home inspections.  Must obtain 20 education credits annually to keep the ASHI ® certification.  Must subscribe to the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.  Inspection report format must be approved by ASHI to ensure compliance with the ASHI Standards of Practice.

 Although outside the scope of ASHI’s ACI program, many home inspectors offer additional services such as:  Radon testing  WDI/termite inspections  Mold evaluations  Well water testing  Septic inspections  and more.

 Meeting the ASHI Standards is NOT the same as having an ASHI Certified Inspector.  Many inspectors claim “my inspections are conducted to ASHI Standards” falsely implying they are ASHI Certified.

Only ASHI Certified Inspectors can use this logo.

Your Part in the Inspection  We encourage your participation in the inspection. Gives you one-on-one time with your client. Lets you see the issues first hand. o Helps with negotiation of issues.  Shows your client you care.  Provides a comfort factor for your client.  Be available to answer any questions.

Why a Home Inspection?  Convey the condition of the home.  Increase buyer confidence.  A better educated buyer will be a better educated home owner.  A very inexpensive investment with a high rate of return!  Approximately or 0.2% of the cost of the home.

 An ASHI inspector will inspect and report on readily accessible, visually observable systems and components listed in the SoP that are: Not functioning properly. Significantly deficient. Unsafe. Near the end of their service life.

 A home inspection is not an engineering or architectural evaluation or meant to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements such as codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.  It is not advice on price, purchase, request for remedy or repair.  For a complete list of the General Limitations of a home inspection, see the ASHI SoP. Cosmetic issues are not reported.

What a Home Inspection covers  Structural Components  Exterior Components  Roofing  Plumbing  Electrical  Heating  Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps  Interior Components  Insulation and Ventilation  Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

Exterior  Foundation type.  Drainage, grading, surface drainage.  Exterior finishes. Siding, wood, brick, stone. Windows, doors. Walkways, patios, driveways. Eaves, soffits and fascia. Exterior  Foundation type.  Drainage, grading, surface drainage.  Exterior finishes. Siding, wood, brick, stone. Windows, doors. Walkways, patios, driveways. Eaves, soffits and fascia.

Roof and Attic  Roof covering.  Accessories. Stacks, chimneys, skylights and flashing.  Gutters and downspouts.  Attic structure.  Ventilation and moisture. Roof and Attic  Roof covering.  Accessories. Stacks, chimneys, skylights and flashing.  Gutters and downspouts.  Attic structure.  Ventilation and moisture.

Plumbing  Water main and shut-off.  Interior water supply and distribution systems.  Waste and vent systems including fixtures.  Sump pumps.  Water heater. Plumbing  Water main and shut-off.  Interior water supply and distribution systems.  Waste and vent systems including fixtures.  Sump pumps.  Water heater.

Electrical  Service drop and entrance.  Grounding.  Interior components of service and sub panels.  GFCI’s  Representative number of light fixtures, switches and receptacles.  Branch circuit wiring including the presence of solid conductor aluminum wire and knob-and-tube wire. Electrical  Service drop and entrance.  Grounding.  Interior components of service and sub panels.  GFCI’s  Representative number of light fixtures, switches and receptacles.  Branch circuit wiring including the presence of solid conductor aluminum wire and knob-and-tube wire.

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Heating & Air Conditioning  Identify the system.  Vent systems, flues and chimneys.  Condition of unit.  Furnace filter.  Ducts.  Excludes humidifiers. Heating & Air Conditioning  Identify the system.  Vent systems, flues and chimneys.  Condition of unit.  Furnace filter.  Ducts.  Excludes humidifiers.

Interior Rooms, Kitchen, Bathrooms and Garage  Walls, ceilings & floors.  Steps, stairways and railings.  Countertops, cabinets.  Doors and windows.  Garage doors.  Garage door openers. Interior Rooms, Kitchen, Bathrooms and Garage  Walls, ceilings & floors.  Steps, stairways and railings.  Countertops, cabinets.  Doors and windows.  Garage doors.  Garage door openers.

Insulation and Ventilation  Insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.  Ventilation in attics and foundation.  Mechanical ventilation system. Insulation and Ventilation  Insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.  Ventilation in attics and foundation.  Mechanical ventilation system.

Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances  Chimney  Fireplace The Chimney Safety Institute of America and National Fire Protection Association recommend a NFPA 211 Level II inspection with every real estate transaction  Vents  Wood stoves Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances  Chimney  Fireplace The Chimney Safety Institute of America and National Fire Protection Association recommend a NFPA 211 Level II inspection with every real estate transaction  Vents  Wood stoves

General Limitations  Inspectors are not required to: Enter an area that is unsafe. Move personal property. Dismantle any system or component. Determine remaining life. Provide specific repair information. General Limitations  Inspectors are not required to: Enter an area that is unsafe. Move personal property. Dismantle any system or component. Determine remaining life. Provide specific repair information.

Why a Pre-listing Inspection?  Having issues remedied before prospective buyers view the home saves your client time and money during negotiations.  Enhances the marketability of the house leading to faster sales and better prices. Show receipts for repairs. Creates trust, confidence and credibility with buyer.

Why New Construction Inspections?  Just because the house is new does not mean it is perfect.  A “new construction” inspection can point out issues that can be repaired before your client takes possession.  An inspection before the 1 year warranty has expired also provides your client with issues/concerns that the contractor may need to address.

Summary  Why you should have a home inspection?  Provide your buyer with objective information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the home inspection.  Why you should use an ASHI Certified Inspector?  Professionalism  Field Experience  Continuing Education Requirements  Subscribes to a recognized SoP and CoE

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