It began with a conversation on the plane with a steel company executive who had bought a lake home from a friend two weeks ago in Alabama. The home was built in the 1960's and needed some cosmetic renovation. He had hired two contractors for bids and hoped to have the work done by June to enjoy the summer at the lake. He had just received a frantic phone call from his wife who informed him that both contractors said he had a structural problem under a section of the house that was a major problem and had to be addressed quickly. I had previously told him I was a real estate broker and he asked for advice. I asked him if he had had a home inspection and he said he had done so by a certified inspector in Alabama. I felt for him and I hope the inspection company had insurance. I hope it works out well for him.
In Kentucky home inspectors are now required to be licensed. When I began real estate in 1999 I was amazed that home inspectors were not licensed. I was pleased when Kentucky made it a requirement just a few years ago. Home inspectors have an important part to play in a real estate transaction. A home inspection is not required to obtain a loan so it is an individual consumer decision.
For more information on licensed Inspectors check out the Kentucky Real Estate Inspectors Association at http://www.kreia.org/
