RAB

I see this is an "old" thread. But a few weeks ago I had a very insulting exchange with a client. He had called and scheduled a second house, as the bank was unwilling to budge on the first with foundation damage. Two days latter, he called back: "I've been calling around (here we go), and most of the other guys are between $xxx.xx and $xxx.xx (and you are calling me, now?)." He wanted me to beat the lowest bid. His reasoning: he had looked it over real good (he did the last one, too), and didn't need a real thorough inspection. I let him off the hook to book with some one else.

It seems that the real stickler is, or would be for me: annoy and possibly irritate my wife, who I live with and see several times a day, by saying ANYTHING about the house; or close my eyes and enjoy the food.

Unless the heat index is above 100 degrees F.

If there is a reasonable risk of damage to the roof, I don't walk it.

It's a new year, and MichAHI is preparing to go around again. MichAHI members, watch your e-mail for an update and information to be posted on the MichAHI Group site.

The Michigan Association of Home Inspectors is anticipating that legislation to license home inspectors in Michigan will be introduced in the Michigan House, possibly as early as next month. If you are a home inspector in Michigan and want to know more, contact MichAHI at www.michahi.org and join the association. An application is available at the association web site. Membership is as little as $50.00 annual dues. Political conditions are currently ripe for legislation licensing home inspectors to pass the house, and possibly the senate. All Michigan home inspectors should take an interest and support the work that the association has been doing in Lansing to protect your profession. The current circumstances in New York State should be a wake-up call. Cheap is as cheap does! [:-taped]

Parging was usually applied to the exterior of a foundation, and its function originally was moisture resistance for the foundation. This method is still routinely used in some areas. Applied to the interior of a chimney flue, its function was to keep flue gases from leaving the flue through the chimney wall. Applied to the exterior of a chimney or interior of a foundation, its function might be the same. However, some masons or do-it-your-selfers will use this method to slow down or cover up deterioration. Ultimately, we just write what we see. If the parging is deteriorated, then repair is necessary. It would also be important in this instance to note what is happening on the exterior of the foundation.

I confess that the thought of a technological meltdown on-site concerns me. If the Palm or what ever other computing device in use failed, what then? How is the investment in technology supported by the meager fees we generally charge? For those that have been using laptops etc., how often are software upgrades necessary, and at what cost? It looks attractive in some regards, this use of technology. But it seems that there are hidden shortcomings as well. Has anybody actually calculated their cost per report using technology vs. forms and narratives?

1. How does home inspection and real estate fall under the same board? 2. In reviewing licensing requirements, how will licensing "ensure [the consumer] get and expert"?

Does it matter how she discovered a problem? One should be more concerned about the quality of these homes foisted upon unknowing people in compromised financial circumstances. By a very large corporation no less. Whose poster boy is a former United States president.

It is my experience that, after discussing the pre-listing inspection with a potential client, they typically decide it may not be a good idea. The primary problem is the situation where a known defect as a result of a pre-listing inspection is innocently left out of a disclosure form. That creates unacceptable liability potential for the seller. Even more common would be the situation where the buyer's inspector discovers more defects than the seller's inspector. Now there is a two-fold problem: the buyer trusts the seller less, and the seller has a claim against the inspector that performed their inspection.

Hi Mike, Yes, it is amazing how news reporters can run things together. There is hope that Representative Accavitti is indeed listening to us, but there have been no guarantees that his bill will do what we need it to do in order to actually be worth passing. We could easily be played. Then again, one can't really predict what will happen. The reality is that most people, including legislators, do not really understand what a real home inspection is. And therein lies one of our profession's greatest hurdles to overcome.

A little caution is needed in reading news articles. The president of MichAHI is not supporting any bill at this time. There is no bill at this point. There is no attempt to emulate any legislation from any other state. The Michigan Association of Home Inspectors does not, nor have they ever, supported any legislation to license home inspectors in Michigan. What we have done is worked to educate and inform legislators that have a desire to license home inspectors in our state. MichAHI will continue to work with the Michigan legislature, doing what we can to prevent the introduction of bad legislation. We have gone on record opposing any legislation that would license home inspectors without creating meaningful consumer protection. There is a fine line between working with the legislature to educate and inform, and supporting legislation. But there is an important distinction. And this is one line MichAHI has not crossed.

To get the latest on licensing activity in Michigan, e-mail president@michahi.org or join MichAHI to get the latest information as it develops.

"objective" ... interesting word. Objective in whose opinion? Branding. Has it reallt stopped? It doesn't seem so. Read the president's comments again. Does he intend to imply that non-ashi inspectors are not as good as ashi inspectors? I suppose there could be inspectors out there who are not ashi inspectors that put ashi inspectors to shame every day. And branding is not dead ... it's the whole reason that the SOP and COE were rolled into one any way. No matter, a professional inspector will exceed ashi SOP AND COE any way.