Media Go to ASHI for Home Inspection Information

Almost from its inception, the Society has been successful in establishing itself as the go-to source for home inspection information. In 1991, ASHI was featured in a positive discussion regarding home inspections on the “Good Morning America” television program, hosted by Joan Lunden. More recently, ASHI President Joe Corsetto, ASHI staff, chapters and Members have been answering the calls from the following news sources to help them inform the public about the value of home inspections and home inspectors.

Managing Housing Letter Magazine – Brian Chappelle interviewed Joe Corsetto, ASHI president, about the benefits of a multi-family rental property manager hiring a home inspector.

Washington Post – Jeanne Huber, the writer of a column in the Post’s home section, interviewed Joe Corsetto for the article “Inspect Now, Sell (or Not) Later,” which was about having a home inspection even if you’re not planning to sell your house. The column ran on July 27. Because it was special to the Washington Post, there’s a good chance it could be picked up widely in syndicatation.  

United Features Syndicate – Syndicated columnist Lew Sichelman talked with Joe Corsetto about the differences between a home inspection for a purchaser and an inspection for an existing homeowner. The article, “Consider having home inspection early and often,” appeared in the Chicago Tribune and other publications on August 6.

Glamour Magazine – Freelance writer Joanna Robledo interviewed Joe Corsetto for an article covering things to think about when buying a first home. He spoke with her about significant defects that can break a deal, specifically water under foundations (basements, slabs, crawl spaces), extensive framing and foundation damage, as well as old systems that need replacing. The article is scheduled for the November issue.

Chapter members featured

Chicago Tribune – Great Lakes Chapter members Rob Claus, Don Nelson, Tom Myers, Frank Lesh and Jack Fehlandt were all quoted in the 1,400-word story by Mary Ellen Podmolik, published Special to the Tribune, Sept. 8. Chapter member Jannie Albright appeared in the accompanying photo. Titled “Looking for trouble: The right home inspector can spot a defect when he sees it.
But how do you know you’ve hired the right one?,” the article described a peer-review inspection the chapter was conducting on a house in a Chicago suburb, covered state licensing, and concluded with “Dos and don’ts of hiring an inspector.”

Staff contributes

This Old House – Judy Delvoye, ASHI graphic design manager, provided This Old House online with 22 ASHI Reporter Postcards from the Field that now appear on the Web site in a special photo gallery. (Go to www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tohnews) Online editor Betsy Andrews said, “We love this gallery, and so do our Web users. Thanks!”

Tennessean – Bob Kociolek, ASHI director of chapter relations and state affairs, was interviewed by Tennessean reporter Charles Sisk about Tennessee’s new home inspector licensing requirements.

Patterson on the air

WAKM 950 AM (Tennessee) – Scott Patterson, ASHI Member, was an on-air guest August 11 for the real estate radio show “I Bought the Farm.”

Monthly press releases

Each month, ASHI’s public relations consultant writes and distributes a press release, which is also posted on the ASHI Web site in the Media and Publicity section.

August Press Release – “Caveat emptor ‘buyer beware’ not all home inspection laws are created equal” was distributed to DNP, syndicated writers, freelancers and trades, and was also handed out by Bob Kociolek at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn., August 16–18.
The release was posted for wire distribution.

September Press Release – The topic is ASHI’s revised Standards of Practice, and the release is being distributed to home, real estate and consumer interest reporters at daily and community newspapers.

Press releases continue to work for ASHI months after being distributed. Note the half-dozen releases in the chart of ASHI mentions in print during August.