How to Prepare for an Inspection
Before the inspector arrives, there are a few things you should know. There are no federal regulations governing inspectors.  The laws are going to differ state by state.  Therefore it’s important to interview your inspector or inspection company prior to hiring them.  Since each state is going to have their own standards of certification for inspectors – and some don’t even have any – credibility is a big issue in choosing the right inspector.  Ask what certifications your inspector holds and what associations he or she belongs to.  Most associations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), and National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI) have membership requirements that include minimum levels of experience and training as well as codes of ethics.  There are also several state-level associations that your inspector may be a member of.  Ask your inspector and then visit the association’s website.

Once your inspector has arrived, it is recommended that you accompany him or her on the inspection of the property.  This is so you can become familiar with the home and its systems as well as exactly what repairs the inspector recommends and why.  You might also want to prepare a list of items that you’ve seen in the home that you feel are cause for concern as well as any questions you may have.  The inspection is a great time to find out where the home’s water and gas shutoffs are and where the fuse box is.

Here are some other suggestions for homeowners:

• Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic and crawl space.  It’s also a good idea to trim any trees and shrubs that may make an inspection of the exterior of the property difficult.
• Housekeeping: The inspector may photograph your home for the inspection report, so clearing the clutter and moving vehicles from the front of the home will help the inspection go smoother.
• Maintenance: Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim.