Alan Highland, Owner Phone: 316-210-5124 To contact us by email please visit our Contact Page

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Whether you are buying or selling a home you should always incorporate the services of a certified home inspector. Alan Highland is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). That is why Alan worked hard to become a member of NACHI and promises to provide you with excellent service.

As a NACHI member he:

  • Passes NACHI's Online Inspector Examination every year. This general, not association-specific exam is an industry standard required by NACHI and some state licensing boards,
  • Adheres to the industry's largest, most comprehensive Standards of Practice,
  • Abides by NACHI's Code of Ethics,
  • Follows a strict continuing education policy that requires, among other things, that he receives 24 hours of continuing education each year,
  • Completed NACHI's ethics "obstacle course" which ensures that he is aware of his ethical duties as a home inspector,
  • Has passed NACHI's Standards of Practice quiz,
  • Has signed and submitted an affidavit legally agreeing that he has and will continue to adhere to all NACHI standards, ethics and education requirements,
  • Maintains a continuing education log that is verified by NACHI,
  • Submits a portion of my inspection reports to NACHI's report review committee for outside evaluation,
  • Is required to successfully complete NACHI's comprehensive Standards of Practice course and examination, Roofing course and examination, Structural course and examination and Electrical course and examination,
  • Attends at least one chapter meeting or educational seminar every two years (reasonable exceptions apply),
  • Has access to the Inspector's Quarterly so he can keep up-to-date on all the latest issues in the home inspection industry,
  • Has access to a number of learning tools such as inspection tips and technique illustrations, a library of home inspection books and videos, the industry's largest message board, NACHI's "what's new" publication of recent inspection news, Dear NACHI," a detailed advice column, free online courses, quizzes, and exams, and the NACHI University,
  • Has access to a time-tested agreement that helps avoid lawsuits,
  • Has access to a free report review and mentoring service,
  • Has access to the NACHI Mall, and provides access to a free consumer hot-line.

 

Buying a home?

The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?

Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:

  1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
  2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
  3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.
  4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.

Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.

Pre-Listing Inspections

Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:

  1. It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
  2. It helps you to price your home realistically.
  3. It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ...
    1. Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
    2. There is no delay in obtaining the Use and Occupancy permit.
    3. You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if qualified.
  4. It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
  5. It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
  6. It may relieve prospect's concerns and suspicions.
  7. It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
  8. It may alert you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.

Copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers.

Contact me to schedule a pre-listing inspection today.


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