The premier source for home inspector news and information. Whether you're a homebuyer or a licensed home inspector, you'll find valuable insight on the world of home inspection training and competency on this blog.
New home sale figures released from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) have further confirmed that the U.S. housing market is undergoing a sharp adjustment. And while this comes with a host of complications, it presents opportunities not just for careful homebuyers, but also for individuals thinking of a real estate career, particularly for licensed home inspectors.
The NAR reported that existing homes sales in August dropped 12% compared to 2006. In the West, home sales were down an eye opening 21% compared to the previous year. Make no mistake about it, these numbers aren't promising, but as Wall Street traders have known for years - there are opportunities for people who can spot potential in sluggish times.
Even people in Southern California with short memories, recall the massive downturn in the area's housing market in the mid-1990s. As we all know, the market rebounded and homeowners in the Los Angeles area (as well as around much of the country) built up impressive equity in their houses. And while homeowners benefited, so did real estate agents, brokers, real estate appraisers and licensed home inspectors. Allied Real Estate School offers online training for real estate agents and brokers.
The real estate cycle is often compared to peaks and valleys. While we are now in the valley of the housing market, people considering a real estate career can receive their training and get ready to step out onto the peak when home sales come around again. And for certified home inspectors, in particular, their home inspection training and services will still be in demand even if the market is slow to recover; while money is tight, buyers and sellers will look to a quality home inspection job as a form of security.
The fact still remains that millions of homes are bought and sold each year. As the market slips, some real estate agents and licensed home inspectors will exit the business altogether: returning to the steady nine-to-five world or retraining for a new career. When the market rebounds, it will open more career positions in the real estate industry.
Individuals who want to become a home inspector should make sure that the home inspection school they attend is accredited and associated with industry groups, such as the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). There is no substitute for top-notch home inspection training.
Labels: become a home inspector, Certified home inspectors, home inspector, National Association of Realtors
Laguna Hills, Calif. - Sept. 14, 2007 - Periodic adjustments in the real estate market, not only provide new opportunities for home buyers, but also for people interested in a home inspection career. Licensed home inspectors now have the opportunity to emphasize the importance of their services to both buyers and sellers.
Real estate home inspections provide an objective evaluation of the house that allows home buyers to make an informed decision. Home sellers, on the other hand, can have a home inspection job prior to listing a house. This will allow the seller to make any necessary repairs beforehand. In a market slowdown, home inspections give both sellers and buyers peace of mind.
Here are ten reasons why a home inspection career is a great career choice:
- Job Security - Millions of homes are bought and sold each year. Even in difficult times, this fact doesn't change. And each year more and more Americans learn how essential a home inspection is before buying or selling their house.
- Flexibility - Real estate home inspection businesses grow as you build relationships in the community. That's why many home inspectors keep their full-time jobs until their name is known by local agents and brokers. You don't have to begin all at once.
- Networking Opportunities - Be part of a profession with strong industry support. Home inspectors can join the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) and enjoy membership benefits, such as discounts on errors and omissions insurance. Allied Home Inspection School provides students their first year membership to NACHI at no cost.
- Don't Punch the Clock - Certified home inspectors make their own future. Becoming a home inspector means you'll decide what your own work priorities are.
- Be Your Own Boss - Many home inspectors are self-employed. They enjoy the benefits of making their own schedule and growing a successful business.
- Do Something You Enjoy - Utilize your skills and experience to transition into a new career as a home inspector. Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or someone in the building trades, construction or real estate, home inspectors use the skills they've acquired over a lifetime.
- Begin Your Career Quickly - Home inspectors aren't required to have a degree or years of training. People can learn to be a home inspector with 100% online home inspection courses, which allows them set their own pace.
- Become a Pro - Specialization is a key attribute in the job market nowadays. Americans hire and trust individuals based on their expertise. Many home inspectors go on to become specialists in the detection of mold, termites or radon.
- Work in the Field - Make your office in the American neighborhood. Home inspectors enjoy a constantly changing workplace as they inspect new homes and meet new people.
- A Professional Path - Home Inspection is now a well-established profession with a network of accredited training programs, credentials and industry associations. Allied Home Inspection School graduates benefit from a quality, accredited house inspection course that prepares them to be a crucial part of every home sale.
To learn more about training for a home inspection career, please visit Allied Home Inspection School at www.homeinspectioncourse.com or call (888) 925-2108 inside California or (800) 617-3513 outside California to speak with an admissions representative.
Labels: become a home inspector, home inspection career, home inspector career, Press Release
After gaining the education you need to begin working as a home inspector, you might find a whole lot of home inspectors already out there. Every year, the number of trained home inspectors increases. Last year, the state of Illinois alone experienced an increase of nearly 3,000 home inspectors from less than 500 the year before.
While the first instinct someone might have when faced with increasing competition is to cut their prices, the results can work against you. Cutting your prices means more work for less pay. More importantly, it could make you appear cut-rate in a field where quality is of far greater importance.
What can you do to stand apart from other home inspectors and get yourself noticed?
One of the best ways of standing out from the crowd is to form relationships with professional, home inspection organizations. Joining a home inspection association gives you the advantage of a professional stamp of approval on the quality of your work. There are several associations with great reputations who represent home inspection:
- InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors): InterNACHI is the world's largest, most elite non-profit inspection association. Their inspectors have all successfully passed InterNACHI's Inspector Examination, adhere to Standards of Practice, abide by a Code of Ethics, and are InterNACHI Certified
- HIF (Housing Inspection Foundation): An organization of professionals dedicated to the promotion and development of home inspection through information, education, standards, ethics, and professional recognition, HIF is an excellent organization to network with licensed home inspectors.
- NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors): The mission of the National Association of Home Inspectors is to promote excellence and professionalism in the home inspection industry, in addition to providing standards of practice and a code of ethics for home inspectors in the USA. NAHI home inspectors must meet strict membership requirements and are held to the highest standards of practice in the home inspector industry.
- ASHI (Association of Home Inspectors): ASHI has a strong network of experienced individuals with their home inspection license. ASHI builds customer awareness of the importance of a quality home inspection and enhances the professionalism of home inspectors.
Labels: become a home inspector, Certified home inspector, home inspector, interNACHI
