Advice on Becoming a Home Inspector
Home Inspection can be a lucrative career choice because it supplies a residual income; as long as people are buying and selling real estate, the industry will need trained individuals to inspect homes and properties for defects that might lower the value of the dwelling. As long as you obtain the proper license, your services will always be in demand, and you will never be at a loss for work.
As in Real Estate Licensing, Home Inspectors are required to participate in various courses before they apply for their license. They are taught what to look for in listed properties, what not to look for, and what constitutes a serious material defect. They are taught how to inspect various points on the interiors and exteriors of properties to determine what might affect the value of the property. It is important that Home Inspectors are educated in their field, and those who pursue continued education will flourish more in the industry.
In addition to basic home inspection courses, students may be required to participate in other classes such as mold certification, pet inspection, and defect recognition. These extra courses vary by state and can increase the student’s knowledge of their field. Even if these courses aren’t required by your state, it might still be beneficial to pursue continued education. The basic courses are typically 90 hours and can be done in the home or at a nearby Trade School.
Home Inspection is a growing field requiring more and more people every day. An estimated 6.2 inspections were conducted in 2005, and that number is expected to grow exponentially over the next ten years. Home Inspectors can make excesses of $60,000 per year, with their income based on how many homes they are able to inspect daily. Home Inspectors can begin working for a large company, but can later build their own Home Inspection business, thereby earning more profits. There is nearly unlimited potential for motivated individuals who want to make a career out of Home Inspection.
For more information about Home Inspection, you can visit the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors at www.nachi.org, or the American Society of Home Inspectors at www.ashi.com. This is an excellent time to get started in this exciting career because many states are caught in legislature about home inspections, and the laws may change over the next several months. Companies are advising that students act now to ensure their places in the industry.
