Before you make your final buying or selling decision, have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to structure a reasonable repair request. But before hiring one, ask a home inspector these questions: 1. Are you a state licensed inspection company? All inspectors must be licensed in Arizona. 2. Do you belong to a professional association? There are several national associations for home inspectors, including ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group’s standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.ashi.org and www.nahi.org. 3. How experienced are you? Ask how the long inspector has been in the profession and how many inspections have been completed. New inspectors may be highly qualified, but they should describe their training and let you know whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner. Next: questions 4-6.
