Well, lost my desk job last week so i’m looking into jobs that I might enjoy a bit more than what I had. What sort of background does one need to be a home appraiser or inspector? I know basics but not how to build one. Not sure if that is a pre-requisite.
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A home appraiser is NOTHING like a home inpsector.
A home apraiser is licensced by the state and requires real estate knowledge. A home appraiser tries to find the market value of the property based on other sales in the area and adjusting for differences in the different properties.
Easy there fellas. Forgive me if I came across that I thought an inspector and an appraiser were the same. I know they aren't.
Just two things I am checking out. I also didnt say that I woudln't go through the necessary training to be one either.
Just asking about the big picture.
Edited 3/18/2004 2:37 pm ET by Toolsguy
I understand entirely Toolsguy, and my apologies if I came across as heated... I'm in no position here to be judgemental ;) But I guess the issue is when you say you "know the basics", do you know enough to be "safe" making the kinds of judgements you would be making in that field. But if you're willing to get the requisite training, more power to you. I'd suspect that the earning potential, like the licensing requirements, varies widely by area. My buddy is primarily a realtor and I know he's told me repeatedly that the inspection end of his business earns very little because apparently in this area almost anyone can call themselves an inspector.
Edited 3/18/2004 3:04 pm ET by PaulB
Yeah, I'm not sure of the pay around here (Westchester County, NY) but nonetheless, I want to check it out. Possible change of careers or at least suplimental income for now. Thanks
Believe me I know... I'm in exactly the same place ;)
Tool,
There was a thread a while ago about the topic
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=38979.1
"I'm not sure of the pay around here (Westchester County, NY)"
$450 seems to be the going rate for a crappy HI where you live. (I'm have family there, and grew up in Scarsdale) in case you want to know how I know. The Sis' just bought a P O $hit house in Peekskill for $330K that "passed" inspection, only to have a ton of stuff go wrong in the first week/month of ownership.
Jon
Thanks man. Yeah, I've heard of a few stories like that too. Scary how obvious stuff even to me gets by some of these guys.
"how obvious stuff even to me gets by some of these guys."
Tool,
Had it happen to me to WAY back when....31' span second floor.....2 x 6 construction (noted resting on bearing walls) didn't point out they rested on on unsupported 2 x 10's of a similar span!!!!
And not going into detail about why he noted "plumbing venting.....not visible" well THAT"S BECAUSE THERE WAS NONE. etc. etc.
He did catch the need to caulk some siding soon (which I told him I was planning to replace) and a small break in a thermopane window in an unheated structure.
I could go on, but most HI's (not Bob W) don't have the experience to do what they are doing. And IMO, that comes from working in the trades and rehabbing houses, not simply playing "tag along" with a "pro."
Jon
>>The Sis' just bought a P O $hit house in Peekskill for $330K that "passed" inspection, only to have a ton of stuff go wrong in the first week/month of ownership.
Good home inspectores don't "pass" or fail - we observe and describe and anlayze.
Also, we have a really hard time keeping our crystal balls properly tuned and typically have a bad batting average in predicting how long stuff will last.
I've had furnaces (and other components) that work fine at the beginning of the inspection which die during the inspection!
Without details, of course, one can't comment on what happended in your sister's case.
_______________________
Tool Donations Sought
I'm matching tool donors to a church mission to Haiti - we're shipping a bus converted to a medical facility in (now it looks like) April and can fill it with clothes, tools and all sorts of stuff needed in that poorest of all countries. A few hand tools or power tools can provide a livelihood for an otherwise destitute family. Please email me if you have tools to donate.
Thanks to Jeff and David and Jim and Rich and Steven and Mark and Jason and Shep and Jen and Mike and Joe and Bill and Ken for their offers!
Several donations have arrived! Thanks and God bless!
"Good home inspectors don't "pass" or fail - we observe and describe and analyze."
Bob,
True, But through implication they do/can give the buyer (a false sense off) piece of mind.
Jon
>>True, But through implication they do/can give the buyer (a false sense off) piece of mind.
That is a large part of what a home inspection is aimed to do - help the home buyer understand what he/she is getting into - peace of mind comes with understanding and thus being able to make informed decisions.
I feel it is just as important to alleviate exaggerated fears or unquantified fears for the buyer as it is to point out problems.
It's very common for my buyers to be very worried about hairline shrinkage cracks in poured concrete foundations and other simliar "defects" and I think it would not be serving their interests if I lert them worry excessively about that sort of thing and miss out on a hous ethat might be perfect for them.
My experience is that new home inspectors have a tendency to exaggerate minor stuff.
I also find it is important that my client understand what I can and can't do during the limited amount of time I'm being paid for - I make it clear that in my standard inspection, we concentrate looking fopr major problems and won't have time to find every minor thing that's lurking in the house.
And I make it clear that I am a generalist - that there will be times I recomend further evaluation by specialists in given component systems.
_______________________
Tool Donations Sought
I'm matching tool donors to a church mission to Haiti - we're shipping a bus converted to a medical facility in (now it looks like) April and can fill it with clothes, tools and all sorts of stuff needed in that poorest of all countries. A few hand tools or power tools can provide a livelihood for an otherwise destitute family. Please email me if you have tools to donate.
Thanks to Jeff and David and Jim and Rich and Steven and Mark and Jason and Shep and Jen and Mike and Joe and Bill and Ken for their offers!
Several donations have arrived! Thanks and God bless!
"My experience is that new home inspectors have a tendency to exaggerate minor stuff...................I make it clear that in my standard inspection, we concentrate looking for major problems and won't have time to find every minor thing that's lurking in the house."
Bob,
And that's my biggest grip with all too many HI's, and what I presume separates you from the rest of the pack.
The clients who could benefit most, ie. those who are purchasing homes more than 50 years old, get with a guy who only knows how to, or purposely only points out minor flaws.
Jon
"Without details, of course, one can't comment on what happened in your sister's case."
Bob,
Well, I have yet to see the place (I will in a few weeks) but I can tell you all of the stuff my HI missed ten years ago.....But not right now as I have to make dinner for the wifey.
Jon
I have a friend here in CT that is one. My impressions are that it's a lot like asking the qualifications to be a tradesman, that is to say both that it varies by the locale, and whether you're asking what the legal requirements are vs what it takes to be a good one. He has a pretty in depth education, formal and informal in home construction, and what the consequences of various problems are. He's also always bemoaning the guys out there that aren't qualified that both take business from him and give poor quality reports. I know that in CT for instance there is a description on the State of CT website for the legal requirements, I imagine most states have the same resources online. I guess the other question comes down to whether you feel that you have enough understanding of the field to make reoprts and judgements that are both sound legally, and morally... would you want someone with your qualifications inspecting the home you're paying a mortgage on? (Not making any judgements here, you understand, just posing a rhetorical question)
Paul
For the home inspection option, try calling some local HI's and asking if you can go on some ride alongs - ASHI gives con ed credits for that and you can get some idea of what's involved.
IMO as an HI, you need to know a lot more than the basics to adequately serve your clients.
Tool Donations Sought
I'm matching tool donors to a church mission to Haiti - we're shipping a bus converted to a medical facility in (now it looks like) April and can fill it with clothes, tools and all sorts of stuff needed in that poorest of all countries. A few hand tools or power tools can provide a livelihood for an otherwise destitute family. Please email me if you have tools to donate.
Thanks to Jeff and David and Jim and Rich and Steven and Mark and Jason and Shep and Jen and Mike and Joe and Bill and Ken for their offers!
Several donations have arrived! Thanks and God bless!