American Insitiute of Inspectors (A.I.I.)


"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, 
and learning from failure." General Colin L. Powell.

Would $800 to $1400 per week in average fees be a reasonable part-time business 
income for you? If so, NOW might be the perfect time to enter the real estate 
service industry in the Pre-purchase Home Inspection Business.

The majority of A.I.I. members started their ventures as part-time businesses. 
Many members have broken free from other jobs into a 
full-time home inspection career in six months to two years.

Still other members intend to operate a permanent 
part-time home inspection business.

These are startling results, in light of the recent recession and the fact 
that the Association projects a minimum of three years to grow a 
successful full-time home inspection enterprise.

One of our members recently pointed out that he had numerous competitors 
18 months ago, but since the recession, those numbers have been severely 
reduced. At least one of those competitors who fell out of the pack purchased 
a home inspection franchise requiring an investment of over $12,000. 
(Some franchises run as much as $25,000 - - Editor.) Yet this A.I.I. member 
has survived while those "competitors" are no longer in business.

Regardless of whether you invest $25, $2,500 or $12,000 to enter the 
home inspection industry, it has been our experience that if the 
real estate agent will not cooperate by recommending your service, 
your home inspection business is doomed to failure.

The American Institute of Inspectors training offers a proven formula 
to turn skeptical agents into enthusiastic sources of inspection 
referrals.  This is an important aspect, because the true success 
of an inspection business depends on the support of Realtors.

The Coldwell Banker office in one community gives every buyer a choice 
of three different inspectors - all of them Members of A.I.I.  This kind 
of access take time and a history of consistent performance.  Once 
the broker becomes familiar with an A.I.I. member's professional 
inspections, it is not uncommon to have the office broker 
endorse A.I.I. Members as a "recommended" inspectors.

Three out of three is an exceptional achievement. There 
are, however, many good reasons why a Realtor may be 
reluctant to endorse an inspector. Consider these 
statistics from one U.S. metropolitan market.

From 1987 through 1992 there were a total of 71 home inspection 
companies listed in the yellow pages....But ONLY 7 of the firms 
survived for those 5 years. Here's another starling fact--
In the Fall of 1995, the president of the largest association of 
home inspectors in the U.S.  reported to a convention of 
inspectors that 14 out of 15 candidates for membership in 
the group drop out before becoming a full member--Editor.

Ask yourself, why? What are the unfulfilled expectations of those who 
enter the home inspection business that causes a 90% or more attrition rate? 
Although no one can guarantee success, the American Institute 
of Inspectors overcomes these issues with a proven Philosophy of 
Success.  One element of this philosophy, (as outlined in the A.I.I. 
manuals and training), is a realistic 3 to 5 year business growth plan.

No get-rich-quick scheme, the A.I.I. Formula is a model of conservative 
estimates -- SOMETHING ON WHICH A CAREER CAN BE BUILT!

The National Association of Realtors, Relocation Council has recently adopted standards 
identifying what a good home inspection includes. This is a reflection that the real 
estate industry recognizes the need to have consistent home inspection reports.

A.I.I. Members provide consistency by conforming to the Association's Standard 
of Practice & Code of Ethics, and by utilizing a uniform report format that clearly 
identifies the condition of all of the components of a home.

Recognizing the lack of consistency from one inspector to the next; from one franchisee 
to the next; and from one organization of inspectors to the next, the Mortgage Bankers 
Association is also considering minimum home inspection standards.

Several types of loans now require that the buyer obtain a 
home inspection before the loan can be approved.

Just like the termite inspection industry matured when lenders began requiring 
pest reports three decades ago, the home inspection industry will mature 
in the next decade as more lenders require home inspections.

The American Institute of Inspectors Certification Standards easily 
fall within the lending and real estate industry's expectations of 
thoroughness and credibility.  Once acquainted with an A.I.I. Certified 
Inspector and his/her report, lenders frequently respond with enthusiasm.

Real estate sales agents when asked about home inspections often respond by 
saying something like: "It's a good idea in principle, but the last guy scared 
the buyer half to death." Naturally, they never want that to happen again.

The American Institute of Inspectors has addressed this common 
concern by requiring that all members inspect to a MANDATORY Performance 
Standard which overcomes the agent's fear of a home inspection "killing the deal".
Adhering to the Performance Standard produces consistent, quality reports. It is this 
consistency and accurate, unbiased reporting that eases cases the concerns of the agents.

A pre-purchase home inspection, (commonly performed for buyers), is 
only one of the revenue sources available to a professional inspector. 
There are over twenty more areas of potential income such as:

• Radon Testing
• Asbestos Testing
• Mobile Home Inspections
• Insurance Inspection
• Construction Progress
• Phase I Environmental Surveys
• Commercial Pre-Acquisition Site Assessments
• Earthquake Analysis
• Energy Evaluations
• Lead Testing
• Maintenance Review
• Mechanical Evaluation
• Structural Pests & Dry Rot Inspection
• Water sample collection and testing
• Fungi sample collection and testing

Members of the American Institute of Inspectors are privileged to obtain 
additional certifications in fields like these as they are developed by the membership, 
or agencies with which the Association contracts. In time, as public demands build, 
it is our belief that a full-service home inspector will offer a half-dozen
different types of inspections to his/her clients.

If you have always thought of yourself as a skilled "professional", (and therefore deserving 
of a professional's income), the home inspection industry provides you an opportunity 
to be recognized as one.  Survivors in the home inspection business are destined to be 
ranked on par with appraisers, escrow administrators, and bank loan officers.

Obtaining your credentials from CIT and the American Institute of 
Inspectors allows you to be called a "Professional".  And once you achieve 
the title "Certified Home Inspector" you will have few competitors who 
will match your expertise. Simply by following the Association's Standards, 
Performance Philosophy, and Marketing Techniques, membership in A.I.I.
affords you a level of respect and earnings potential that few ever achieve.

"Home inspection kits" are available through the mail for as little as $59.00. Another firm 
advertises a seminar on how to start a home inspection business for $495.00.  Of course, 
we know this kind of material to be far from sufficient for those who attend with the expectations 
of being able to build a solid home inspection career from the information provided.

Becoming a Certified Member of the American Institute of Inspectors is not 
inexpensive. However, if you recognize that diamonds do not come packed in Crackerjack 
boxes then CIT/A.I.I. is your most economical solution to an inspection career.

The fees to become Certified, the training course, the manuals and inspection 
forms are less than 30% of the investment for a home inspection franchise.

The LIABILITY issue is the most frequent concern of those considering a home inspection career;
(i.e. "What happens if I make a mistake?"). Since the industry is not licensed, errors and
omissions insurance that actually covers anything is not generally available at a reasonable premium.
Certified Inspection Training, Inc. through certification by the American Institute of
Inspectors, has been approved for Insurance Underwriting by Marion A. Allen, Inc. of Georgia.

By today's most liberal estimates, there are 6,000 active home inspectors 
across the country. The projected need for home inspection professionals
is 24,000. That number could be reached in the next decade, (just 5 to 6 years
from now).  Will you be one of them?...If not, what will you be doing?

As Brian Tracey, (the nationally acclaimed author, motivator, and success trainer), 
warns in his books: "The Calvary is not going to come to your rescue! 
If you do nothing, nothing good will happen to you!"

Call Today to learn how to join A.I.I. as a Certified or Associate Member.