CREIA Explains Common Myths & Realities about Home Inspections.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- In an ongoing series during its 30th anniversary year, the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) cautions home buyers and sellers, as well as all individuals involved in real estate transactions, that there are myths and misconceptions associated with retaining the services of a professional home inspector. CREIA presents Part Four of the continuing series "Myths & Realities about Home Inspections". An additional listing of common myths can be found online at www.CREIA.org.

Myth:       A newly constructed home does not need an inspection.

REALITY:    No matter how good a job your builder does, a competent
            home inspector may find defective conditions that managed
            to slip through the cracks of the construction and
            municipal inspection processes. A new home construction
            inspection is an independent, third party inspection to
            ensure that the work completed is in compliance with
            plans, specifications, and the construction schedule. Once
            a home is built, many conditions that could have been
            observed during construction are now covered and are no
            longer visible for inspection. Often an improperly
            installed or poorly constructed condition that could have
            been visually reviewed during construction becomes covered
            or concealed later in the building process causes a
            potential financial burden for the property owner for
            future corrective action. For these reasons, it is
            important that a home be inspected during construction by
            the buyer's representative whenever possible so that any
            reportable defects can be corrected before completion and
            transfer of title. A detailed inspection report can
            provide a pick-up list for the contractor, before you
            occupy your new home; be sure to hire a professional home
            inspector for a final review of the project.

Myth:       An inspection is not needed as long as an appraiser has
            viewed the property.

REALITY:    While appraisers are skilled at the valuation of
            properties, they are not home inspectors. Appraisers
            perform a different service with a different level of
            expertise than a professional home inspector -- they
            generally do not climb on roofs, open electrical service
            panels, or examine furnaces or other appliances. They are
            not trained to perform home inspections to recognized
            standards, a process which typically requires two to three
            hours on-site for a single-family home. Appraisers only
            establish the value of the property for mortgage purposes.
            Buyers need to secure their own home inspection through
            the services of a qualified inspector and satisfy
            themselves about the condition of the property.

Make sure you retain the services of a qualified inspector who is trained and experienced in home inspection. It is also very important that your inspector be a member of a professional association such as CREIA to ensure qualifications and continued education. Since 1976, CREIA, a non-profit voluntary membership organization has been providing education, training, and support services to the real estate inspection profession and to the public. Inspectors must adhere to CREIA's Code of Ethics and follow the Standards of Practice developed and maintained by the Association. These Standards of Practice have been recognized by the State of California, and are considered the source for Home Inspector Standard of Care by the real estate and legal communities.

CREIA requires its members to successfully pass a written test of building systems and components and complete 30 hours of continuing education each year. CREIA members can accumulate education credit through various sources including monthly chapter meetings, educational conferences and seminars, and other approved activities. CREIA keeps records to ensure that members are complying with the requirements. Educational topics cover a variety of technical subjects including updates and advances that affect property inspection and the business of real estate inspection.

CREIA is dedicated to consumer protection and education. To locate a qualified CREIA inspector near you, call CREIA at [phone], or visit the CREIA website at www.CREIA.org.