Gov. Easley Urges Against Facts-Only Home Inspection Reports

Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Mike Easley on Wednesday urged the Home Inspector Licensure Board to drop a proposed state mandate that home inspectors give only facts, not their judgments, in their reports to home-buyers.

Home inspections are not required in North Carolina, but they are often recommended for both new and existing construction. The reports can be lengthy, and buyers often focus on the summary page, not the details.

Home inspectors who oppose the mandate claim facts-only reports will make it harder for them to alert home buyers to safety defects in properties.

"Many home inspectors believe that if finalized, the rule will limit the amount and content of their communications with home buyers on genuine safety issues. I concur with their assessment,” Easley said in a letter Wednesday to Home Inspector Licensure Board Members.

The mandate's backers have said it would stop home buyers from trying to squeeze personal opinions out of inspectors and would formalize reports.

The Home Inspector Licensure Board regulates the 1,000-plus home inspectors statewide. The board was scheduled to talk about the mandate Friday. Some home inspectors have promised a protest.

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Latest Comments

As a Home Inspector, I feel this is a very important issue. What can be more important than safety? Why shouldn't it be emphasized? Why does the Realtor, Builder representative and former Home Inspector on the Licensure board think it should be buried in the informational section of the report? Clearly having a Realtor and Builder on the board is not in the best interest of the public! This will not change unless the public complains!

carcrazy2
November 8, 2007 10:19 p.m.

kstor: Wow! Glad you made your post at me. I read the whole story in a rush this AM as I was readying for work. When i read it again this evening, your post made me realize my assumption needed to make a U-turn. What Easley IS DOING is what I thought he was NOT DOING. Errrr (at myself).

Thank you Gov. Easley for protecting homebuyers. A facts-only inspection report without elaboration from the inspector would leave the home buyer in the dark. My apologies for mis-reading the story.

Made In USA
November 8, 2007 6:22 p.m.

The inspector is a professional and has a professional opinion. I feel they should be able to give an opinion as it would be useful in determining whether or not to buy a house.

jkuwalik2
November 8, 2007 5:01 p.m.

I don't often agree with Gov. Easley, but I think his comments on this issue should be obvious.

If I pay an inspector to look at a house I'm thinking of buying, I want not just the facts he uncovers, I want his opinion too. If you're the homeowner, and you decide that the "hoops" you would have to go through to satisfy me and my inspector are too great, then don't go through the hoops - sell your house to someone else (with a different inspector).

hpr641
November 8, 2007 4:08 p.m.

I care nothing for an inspectors "opinion". His opinion and 5 dollars will get you a cup of coffee at most coffee shops. The inspections should be about the facts as it pertains to the "Offer to Purchase". I've seen so many very stupid "details" that could not be proven by the inspector. One inspector wrote "insulation between the floor joist has the presence of mold. The company hired to remove the mold said, after he quit laughing, "all the MUD has been removed". This deal almost went south cause the "inspector" could not tell the difference between MUD and mold. Go figure.........