HomeMedic Home Inspector Training (HIT)

Home Inspector Training: Environmental Contaminants

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:57:13 +0000

This is just a header. It can be skipped

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Asbestos

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:56:02 +0000

Asbestos is another of those fear words. Learn where (and when) to look for asbestos in homes.

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:54:37 +0000

For the record, it's CO, not CO2. Don't ever get caught saying that mistake or you'll lose credibility. Oh - and CO can kill you and/or your clients. There's that.

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Lead

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:53:30 +0000

In many states, lead is the only environmental contaminant that has to be legally disclosed. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Meth

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:51:22 +0000

Meth is not like the other environmental issues - it's man made. On one side of the country, it's like throwing gas on a fire. You can get terror simply by mentioning the word. Here's what you have to know about meth.

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Mold

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:49:40 +0000

Mold is a scary word. Everyone just knows it's deadly. But how common is it? What kinds of mold are there? Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Environmental - Radon

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:48:32 +0000

You want to scare a real estate agent? Just say radon. But knowledge is power, and you're about to become much more powerful.

Home Inspector Training: Nature

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:39:53 +0000

this page is just a place holder. You know - organization.

Home Inspector Training: Nature - Birds

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:38:25 +0000

Birds can cause havoc inside an attic. Things get unsavory and even unhealthy. Here's what you should know to guide your clients.

Home Inspector Training: Nature - 4 Legged Critters

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:36:55 +0000

Oh the good stuff. Rats, mice, raccoons, even feral animals. No home buyer wants extra house guests. Here's what to look for.

Home Inspector Training - Nature: Snakes

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:35:49 +0000

Slithery is never awesome, especially for home buyers. Here's what you need to know and how to guide your clients

Home Inspector Training: Nature - Spiders

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:34:06 +0000

Somehow eight legged critters are just creepy and crawly. But their presence can also tell a story - one that you and the clients need to know about.

Home Inspector Training: Nature - Termites

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:32:28 +0000

Want to kill a deal? Tell someone a house has termites. But usually nobody can see them. Here's what to look for and where to look. More importantly, what termite queens are looking for.

Home Inspector Training: Nature - Trees & Vines

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:30:25 +0000

Trees and vines may not bite, but they can cause a lot of damage. Here's what you need to know to protect your clients.

Home Inspector Training: Crawl Spaces

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:29:20 +0000

This is a place holder. Nothing more

Home Inspector Training: Crawl Spaces - Critters

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:27:10 +0000

Crawl spaces are notorious for critters large and small. The eight legged kind, the four legged kind, and the no leggeds. They can all be pretty iffy.

Home Inspector Training: Crawl Space - Safety & Insulation

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:25:58 +0000

Getting into a crawl space can be a dicey prospect. Here's what you need to know to stay safe and keep your client safe.

Home Inspector Training: Crawl Spaces - Vents & Water Issues

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:25:09 +0000

Crawl Space venting is pretty huge. Here's why.

Home Inspector Training: Crawl Spaces - Webs

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:23:32 +0000

Love getting into crawl spaces? Yeah none of us do but we have to know what's down there. And we need to know what the crawl space - and the webs - are trying to tell us about the house

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - HVAC - Furnaces, Vents & Plumbing

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:28:27 +0000

A review of the furnace system and the associated vents.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Electrical Part 1

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:27:38 +0000

It's pretty important. Get electrical down

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Electrical Part 2

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:23:29 +0000

If you don't know your electrical, things get sparky - and dangerous. This needs to be one of your strengths. Here's a good start.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Hose Bibs

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:22:02 +0000

Hose bibs or spigots can be a headache, especially in cold weather climates. Here's what to check for

Home Inspector Training: Four way - Central Air

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:19:19 +0000

Central air systems are how your client stays cool. And you want her to be cool. You really do.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Furnaces, Gas Forced Air

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:17:49 +0000

Furnaces - a pretty important part of the home. You've got to be up to speed here. This pod will help.

Home Inspection Training: Four Way - Heat Pumps

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:17:00 +0000

Heat pumps work in certain circumstances. Here's when to look for them and what to know.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Swamp coolers

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:15:52 +0000

Swamp coolers. May they rest in pieces. But you still have to inspect them.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Plumbing

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:12:29 +0000

Plumbing systems? Yeah that's pretty important. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Septic System

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:10:55 +0000

OK, so the septic / sewer system isn't really part of a 4 way inspection, but it "goes" here. Learn what you need to know about septic systems so your client doesn't flush you out as a poser.

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Water Heaters

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:09:24 +0000

Water heaters are a pretty important part of the plumbing system. Learn how to know failure modes and advice your client properly

Home Inspector Training: Four Way - Private Water wells

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:07:06 +0000

How many homes have private wells? Not many, but you'll inspect some. You need to know what to look for and sound well versed.

Home Inspector Training: Roof - Chimney Flashing & Cricket

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:02:20 +0000

Cricket isn't just a noisy insect, and it's not just a weird sport. It's also a pretty important part of the roof.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - The Attic

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:01:13 +0000

Ah the attic. The place where homeowners rarely if ever go. What's up there? All kinds of things you need to be able to tell them about.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Chimney Blocks & Fire Prevention

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:59:49 +0000

Chimneys and fire prevention are an important part of a home inspection. Gotta be up to speed here.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Chimney Flues 1

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:58:38 +0000

Chimney flues are about keeping people in the home from dying. That's good. Here's what you need to know to help them stay that way.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Chimney flues 2

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:56:47 +0000

Chimney flues matter. If you miss them and the house burns down, that's bad. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Flashing 1

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:55:46 +0000

Part 1 of the flashing training. You'll be through it in a dash - kinda.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Flashing 2

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:54:11 +0000

Flashing for a home inspector isn't nearly as cool as it sounds. But it's pretty important for a home inspector to know about - so there's that.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Asphalt

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:52:53 +0000

Asphalt shingles rule the market in most areas, but they're absolutely not without flaws and failure methods. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Flat

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:51:43 +0000

Gotta love a flat roof. Some say they're the only way to go. They're wrong by the way, but that's beside the point. There are a number of ways that you can do a flat roof, and you need to know all of them.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Ice Damming

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:50:43 +0000

Ice damming is a problem wherever snow can happen. Here's how to identify potential ice dam problems, even in the summer.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Pitched

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:49:10 +0000

The pitch of a roof has a lot to say about roof life, safety, structural considerations etc. Here are items you need to know

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Tree Branches

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:42:12 +0000

The home inspection isn't just about the home. Tree branches can damage the roof, block the chimney, or be an elevator for critters. It's gotta be high on your radar.

Home Inspector Training: Roofs - Ventilation in the Attic

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:41:11 +0000

Attic ventilation is pretty huge. If it's wrong, the customer pays bigger bills, replaces their roof sooner and has cracks in the ceiling that look like structural problems. And then there's the worrying about ghosts. Yes that's real.

Home Inspector Training: Sprinklers - Timer Boxes

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:39:12 +0000

There are a million kinds of timer boxes. And the client will expect you to have theirs figured out from moment one. Here are some tips so you don't look bad.

Home Inspector Training: Sprinklers - Tips & Techniques

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:38:23 +0000

How to guide your client forward in the sprinkler system arena

Home Inspector Training: Sprinklers - Sprinkler Heads

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:36:16 +0000

Sprinkler head selection is key to get the yard wet while keeping the house dry.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Exterior Cladding

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:35:26 +0000

Brick, stucco, siding, turtle shells - you've gotta know about all of them. Except maybe the turtle shells.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Appliances

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:10:44 +0000

The appliances are the main part of the kitchen, which is a major part of the purchasing for the decision maker - the woman. At least that's what we hear from real estate agents. So if you screw up the kitchen inspection, you'll be the one in boiling water. Here's what to know and check.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Doors

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:09:43 +0000

The front door. The back door. The slider. What do you check? Here you go.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Drainage (sprinklers)

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:02:37 +0000

So let's start with "water is house poison". Then let's talk about the scenario where sprinklers soak the house. Nothing can go wrong, right?

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Drainage (Rain Gutters)

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 23:01:14 +0000

Where does the rain gutter drain to? You need to carefully note that with your client at every inspection. Did we mention that water is house poison?

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Drainage (surface)

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:59:52 +0000

Water is house poison. Surface water that drains to the wrong places is why water is house poison. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Dryer vents & crawl space vents

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:58:30 +0000

Ventilation seems to be key for lots of things. It's the V in HVAC. It's also a good way to keep the home from molding up and falling down. Here's some help in that category

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Fireplaces

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:57:02 +0000

A fireplace in the home. Common but with any number of deadly issues. And you need to know all, and check all. Here's some help.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Garage Door & Opener

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:55:35 +0000

The garage door opener system is almost everyone's real front door. It's important, and you need to be able to tell them if it's safe and what to do for maintenance. Here you go.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Garage Plumbing

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:54:25 +0000

Plumbing in the garage? OK, it was never that good an idea if you live in a cold area. Still, it happens. Here's how you address the subject with your client.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Garage Walls & Ceiling

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:53:12 +0000

Garage walls may not be much of a system, but they should be different than the other walls in the home. Here's why

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Septic

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:50:19 +0000

You may be in an area that has a lot of septic systems, or maybe you have very few. In any case though, you will definitely inspect a home with a septic system. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Smoke Alarms

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:48:51 +0000

People watch you inspecting, and if you don't check the smoke alarms they automatically just know that you suck. But there's more to know about smokes, and you need to be able to discuss them.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Stairways

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:47:18 +0000

Stairways are where people fall down and break things. And if you missed something on a stairway, you're the next broke thing. Here's what you need to know

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Tubs & Showers

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:46:09 +0000

Splish splash you're inspecting the tub. It's not just about if it holds water. Here's what you need to know

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Wall Types

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:44:33 +0000

Wall types? Sheetrock, right? Well, not necessarily. Don't get caught with your lath exposed.

Home Inspector Training: Systems - Windows

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:41:47 +0000

Windows are a key system within any home. Here's what you need to know to get the windows inspected adequately

Home Inspector Training: Structures

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:05:01 +0000

this is a place holder. It's for organization

Home Inspector Training: Structures - Landslides

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:02:33 +0000

Don't be the guy that thinks that all structural movement can be fixed with structural piers. That guy - sucks. Learn why geological movement (landslides for example) has its own set of fixes.

Home Inspector Training: Structures - Natural Forces

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:01:19 +0000

When most of us think structural, we think of vertical forces: snow loads for example. But wind and earthquake loads can be very substantial and damaging. Here's what you need to know.

Home Inspector Training: Structural Settlement

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:59:13 +0000

How to screw up at being a home inspector? Try missing some structural settlement in a home. That'll bite you back. Here's what to look for so that doesn't happen.

Home Inspector Training: Structural Failures

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:58:13 +0000

When a building material fails, how do you know? It depends on what kind of material you're looking at. Here's the basics of what you must know.

Home Inspector Training: Structures & Drainage

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:55:24 +0000

Here's a phrase to learn and remember: water is house poison. Learn how to explain and understand why that is, and what to do about it.

Home Inspector Training: Foundations - Alternatives

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:53:50 +0000

In your career, you'll see plenty of foundations that are not concrete. Here's what you need to know about them.

Home Inspector Training: Foundations - Concrete 1

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:52:21 +0000

Concrete foundations. Strong as they are, there's still a lot of exposure to bad stuff that you gotta be able to talk to your client about.

Home Inspector Training: Foundations - Concrete 2

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:50:16 +0000

Concrete foundations are the way they do it these days. Here's part 2 of what you need to know about them.

Home Inspector Training: Foundation & Soil Issues

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:40:17 +0000

Soils are what holds everything else up. How does the soil at this home affect what else the home is doing? This is stuff you gotta know.

Home Inspector Training: Important stuff you gotta know

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:35:11 +0000

So all of the above is knowledge. That's great and it's important. But what's more important is in this section. Here's how to shine - and not suck at the same time.

Home Inspector Training: Don'ts

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:22:29 +0000

It's hard to build a business. It's much easier to screw it up. Here's how to avoid torpedoing your business.

Home Inspector Training: Specialization

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:15:52 +0000

As Albert Einstein and the Dalai Lama once never said, "There's riches in the niches." They didn't say it, but they should have. It's true.

Home Inspector Training: Engaging the Client

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:14:56 +0000

Want to not get sued? How about having others market your business for you for free? Here's some tips.

Home Inspector Training: Branding

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:12:55 +0000

Here's an important hint: if you're just another me-too home inspector, it will be very hard to succeed. You have to brand yourself. Give them a reason to hire you besides the standard "we're the best/smartest/fastest/most thorough" stuff.

Home Inspector Training: Marketing

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:11:47 +0000

There's a lot to know as a home inspector, but if you don't know how to market yourself, you have no chance. Here's what you've gotta know.

Home Inspection Training: Personal Tools

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:10:36 +0000

A list of the basic set of tools you'll need to do home inspections

Home Inspector Training: Professionalism

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:09:18 +0000

When your professionalism shines, your sales pitch doesn't have to. Let your actions speak louder than your words.

Home Inspector Training: Wisdom

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 20:58:29 +0000

Here's the stuff you wish your dad told you. Only he didn't. Important stuff you gotta know to succeed as a home inspector, or anywhere.