Herspective

HERSPECTIVE

By Tammy Nicholas, HomeGuard Inc. Home Inspector, and Treasurer, Silicon Valley ASHI/CREIA chapter.

A key part of your confidence and success as a home inspector will be your ability to perform a thorough inspection using the ASHI Standard of Practice
(see more about that below), as well as looking for the deficiencies in a home’s systems readily accessible components, which you will summarize for the
client at the completion of the inspection.

Demonstrate Confidence and Knowledge

Teach yourself not to doubt your observations and recommendations for service or examination by an appropriate trades person or licensed contractor. (Hint:
I recommend that you should know how to explain the difference between the tradesperson and license contractors to first time home buyers.) Be very direct
in explaining what the scope of information you report on entails, and demonstrate your confidence in your findings both verbally and in writing.

On many occasions as a home inspector I have been questioned about my ability to physically perform all the required tasks involved in the job. (Awkward)
But never allow someone else’s opinion of you to distract you from the opportunity to demonstrate your skills. So to be one up on the competition means to
always be prepared to do your best and keep your personal judgments from weakening the enthusiasm you deliver the report to the client with. This is more a
matter of attitude than skill.

ASHI/CREIA Support Invaluable

I will, with absolute conviction, say to the ASHI members in our Silicon Valley ASHI/CREIA chapter: Thank You so much for being there to encourage me as I
started out. Becoming active in the organization by serving on the board has been motivational as well as instructional. By always staying current with
what is going on in your chapter, you learn more about the field, and I guarantee rewarding opportunities.

Here are ideas and information I have picked up along the way..

· READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN PERTAINING TO YOUR CAREER. This includes the ASHI Reporter, ASHI Standard of Practice, Building codes, and how-to books.

· RELATE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED TO WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT.

·Pay attention to styles of report writing, other relevant and required professional skills acquired through licensed training or previous job experiences,
as well as working knowledge of the tools and equipment of the trades you use.

· NETWORK WITH OTHER INSPECTORS. Share information with other inspectors relative to what is trending in the industry. They, in turn, will reciprocate with
their experiences of what is working and what is not for them.

In my opinion, there is no short cut to learning what is required to perform a professional home inspection. But, you really will see results with
persistent effort and a humble attitude.

I want to thank my Mom, Perry Farnum, Steve Fishman and Skip Walker for all their pioneering efforts. Thank you!