American Society of Home Inspectors
American Society of Home Inspectors
  • InspectionWorld
  • ASHI Foundation
  • Contact
  • Login
American Society of Home Inspectors
  • Buyers & Owners
    • About ASHI
    • Homebuyer's Guide
    • Homeowner Resources
  • Members
    • Member Benefits Overview
    • Membership Advancement
    • Discount Programs
    • Business Resources
    • Downloads
    • My Education
    • Report Verification Portal
    • Membership Directory
    • Discussion Forum
    • Calendar of Events
    • State Regulations
    • Chapter Listing
    • Affiliates Listing
    • Chapter Resources
    • ASHI Governance
    • Standard of Practice
    • ASHI Store
    • Member Dashboard
    • Member Profile
    • Dues & Payment
  • Education
    • Continuing Education (CE) for Members
    • ASHI Online Learning Center
    • National Home Inspector Exam
    • New Home Inspector Training
    • Continuing Education (CE) for Educators
    • State Regulations
    • InspectionWorld
    • Live Webinars
  • Resources
    • Standard of Practice
    • Code of Ethics
    • Chapter Listing
    • Affiliates Listing
    • State Regulations
    • Business Resources
    • ASHI Mentorship Program
    • Media Center
    • COVID-19 Updates
  • About
    • About ASHI
    • History of ASHI
    • Government Affairs
    • ASHI Foundation
    • ASHI Staff
    • ASHI Leadership
    • Standard of Practice
    • Code of Ethics
    • Awards
    • Certification
  • Join ASHI
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Online Application
    • Dues Rates
    • Levels of Membership
    • State Regulations
    • Request a Membership Packet
  • Newsroom
    • ASHI Reporter
    • Reporter Past Issues
    • Media Center
FIND AN INSPECTOR
Home | Resources | COVID-19 Updates | Letter from ASHI President

Letter from ASHI President Mike Wagner

March 25, 2020

ASHI Valued Members,

This is not how we envisioned it, but It is a unique honor to serve as your President during these challenging times. It has become very apparent to me over the past 20 plus years of opportunity to make a living in our profession that home inspectors are passionate people. We are passionate about our profession, our values, our communities and yes, our opinions. Ask a dozen inspectors a question and they will give you 2 dozen opinions. I have also learned that hand and hand with this passion comes compassion. We care. Now more than ever, this matters.

With that in mind, I have always tried to maintain the philosophy to run towards adversity to meet it head on. The adversity we are all facing today is multifaceted. We are trying to manage our businesses to the best of our ability. We are trying to manage our families as we focus on health and safety measures for our loved ones. We are trying to be responsible citizens as we do our part for the common good of our communities. Finding balance in these efforts can at times create conflict and questions as we do our best to prioritize our responsibilities. The reality to our current situation is that some questions just do not have answers that fit all.

Yesterday, I sent out a message emphasizing the importance of our role as professionals in the real estate process. This is something that I am passionate about and I am proud to be an advocate for you and our profession. I want to be clear that our value is not defined by this pandemic or by the decisions our state and local leaders have to make in defining essential vs non-essential businesses. I also want to be clear that we do have a significant responsibility to do the right thing for the greater good of our communities even if it goes against our normal business management practices. This is much bigger than performing another inspection. We should fully understand and cooperate with the directives of our public leaders in our local markets. Going against these directive could put you, your family and your community at greater risk of contracting and spreading this disease. Also keep in mind that there could be insurance coverage and liability concerns if one is performing prohibited business functions during an emergency period. If there is any question on how to interpret health/safety and business practice directives, we should go directly to the source and contact the appropriate government representative for clarification.

There are states that have determined that home inspection businesses are non-essential during this emergency period and other states have listed our businesses as essential. Many states have not made this determination yet and there are those that have been ambiguous in their directive language. All of this is changing day-to-day and I encourage you to stay fully informed as this evolves. ASHI has created a COVID-19 State Update map tool that can help all of us stay current on a state by state basis. This is located on the lower right corner of the home page on our website www.homeinspector.org.

Please keep in mind that this is not a one size fits all situation as personal and governmental decisions are made and changed across our country. Please be intentional in your responsibility and stay safe.

Mike Wagner
2020 ASHI President

Find An Inspector Near You

Additional Search Options

ASHI

  • About
  • ASHI Leadership
  • Government Affairs
  • ASHI Foundation
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

MEMBERS

  • Member Dashboard
  • Standard of Practice
  • ASHI Logo Download
  • Discussion Forum
  • State Regulations
  • ASHI Mentorship Program

EDUCATION

  • ASHI Online Learning Center
  • InspectionWorld
  • New Inspector Training
  • Live Webinars

BUYERS & OWNERS

  • Homebuyers Guide
  • Homeowner Resources

NEWSROOM

  • ASHI Reporter
  • Article Submission

ADVERTISING

  • Media Kits
  • Media Center

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Join ASHI Login

Connect

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS© 2021

932 Lee Street Des Plaines IL, 60016 p: 847-759-2820