John writes:
Exactly what the Old Testament did with its laws until something greater came along.
Except in this case the lawgivers/makers cannot be trusted Nick.
“The scribes sit in the seat of Moses. Do as they say, but do ye not
according to their deeds.”
The law givers are not always perfect, but those who walk in
the light will fulfill the law by nature, not precept, anyway’s.
“Give unto Ceasar that which is Ceasars and unto God that
which is Gods”. Even the laws of a corrupt Ceasar are to
be obeyed, yet keeping your heart free unto the Lord. 
Nick, et al
Appraisers, lenders, (and even insurers) do somewhat of a “inspection” of a house, in order to evaluate its value, and any defects they may incur if they repo.
The first investment house I bought in the late 60’s, was a VA repo. They had to put a bunch of money into it, just to make it “saleable” . So, it was obvious, they had “inspected” it.
In the early 70’s, I sold one of my properties, {FHA sale), and the condition of the sale, by the FHA, after appraisal inspection, was: new roof, new hot water heater. This to be done before they funded the loan. Their guidelines in those days was that a house had to have a certain number of years of useability left in major systems.
The seller had to pay for all the “defects” conditions, and could not necogate with the buyer, any participation on their part.
That, and the fact seller had to pay “Points” etc, for buyer.
Needless to say, never did a FHA or VA funded sale since.
An inspection being voluntary, think it is already, I don’t see a gun to the head of any buyer to get an inspection.
If the buyer decides not to get an inspection, then it becomes a “what you see; is what you get”, “property sold as is”. Do your walk through the day before close/recording, if the house is still standing, it’s yours, the following morning. case closed. If any problems crop up after the sale, buyer has only himself to blame.
Point being, is that “inspections”, in one form or the other, has been around longer than the “professional” home inspection business has.
Don’t really care who is behind this, I do care, however, as to their motive.
My only problem is why the fedeal government finds a need to get involved in what is in reality a state issue.
Think our federal congress members ought to stay with running the country.
We have a war going on, housing prices are down the toilet, lending institutions going broke, the economy not looking to great, and a recession seems to be a good possibility.
Now, those are real issues, voluntary home inspections legislation, not a real high priority for me. And see no need for it.
Nick
ASHI inspectors are morons!!! Come on, no name calling!! No mater the truth of your assesment.
They just can’t think for them selves, and rely on those further up the food chain, with minimum IQ, to make decissions for them. That’s a real ASHI member. Faith in others, not themselves.
Have engaged a few ASHI members in conversation, and to date, they have not been able to give me a logical reason for their membership.
They are just sheep, afraid of the big bad wolf.
Steven, you are correct. I apologize for calling ASHI members “morons.”
How about instead I just call ASHI members “Inspectors who pay an association to harm them by pushing minimum-standard legislation and operating a no-entrance-requirement diplom mill that triples the number of competitors in their markets while offering zero membership benefits.”
Hm, I’m not sure that’s any better than “morons.” 
Alright, fun is over. I won’t do it again, I promise.
Through ASHI’s previous branding efforts, they have purchased for themselves an irrevocable relationship with many major real estate brokers in Missouri that require that their agents refer clients exclusively to ASHI members.
Now, we are looking at a federally funded government program where ASHI is presently engaged in determining what this same target will be “counselled” as to the proper method of selecting a home inspector, nationally and funded by tax dollars (instead of their own).
Opportunistic morons, indeed.
Nick
Actually, your first choice is probably better, second choice takes up to much space on the page.
(Or maybe IDIOTS might be a better term, think that requires a higher IQ)
Might make them feel better about themselves!
So, we will assume that the first choice is just an abrevation for your second choice!!
Will that work for ya?
James
The member inspectors are the morons for following like sheep, the dictates of those higher up the membership food chain!
The top tier of the organization, just uses their members (and their money) to assure them selves of a job! Morons they are not, opportunist they are!!
So, who is really the moron here? I would say the members, the top boys have them buffalowed.
Enjoy your posts!!!
When ASHI publicly announced to their membership their plan for “branding”, they lost a lot of members. Some were opposed to selling out to the real estate salesmen while many others simply objected to the idea of contributing additional funds to ASHI for selling itself.
Today, with all of the folks who objected to such a thing gone…who is left to object to ASHI soliciting government tax dollars to do the same thing?
The integral members who made up the “real ASHI”…not the diploma mill that Nick describes them to be, today…are not there anymore.
Morons? I don’t think so. I think they are mostly Average Joes who are willing to “play dumb” while their leaders prostitute themselves and their organization for a buck or a referral.
ASHI does not try to promote itself as an organization through legislation. That is what confuses Nick when he mistakenly believes that the absence of the word, “ASHI”, from a bill makes it balanced.
ASHI’s present leadership learned from PHIC…a group of ASHI and NAHI inspectors in Pennsylvania…that it is best to disguise yourself as a “coalition” in order to gain through legislation. You are no longer a “competing association” in the eyes of the legislators, but a grassroots local group of concerned inspectors without national affilliation…or so it is to seem.
Instead of pushing “ASHI”…they push for autonomous licensing boards that their ASHI leaders have been promised the first seats that will lay the groundwork for what home inspectors will be required to do to be licensed in a given state.
No, they are not morons. They are what is left after the members with spines left the association several years ago. Many are good guys who would not lie and decieve on their own, but turn a blind eye to the actions of their leaders with the hope of gain.
If they turn a blind eye, then they are foolish.
I agree, all in the HI business, no matter what organization they affiliate with are honest, hard working, people, doing their job as best they can.
To bad some get a bad rap, due to others decissions of which they have no control over.
absolutely…
Steven,
I thought you were an ardent believer in no name calling? 
I think you should use the Bile Generator!
****Direct from the ASHI website
**
**
**
**
** Study Up On Existing State Home Inspector Legislation**
The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc., recognizes that familiarity with state home inspector legislation and home inspector rules is integral. That’s why the ASHI Web site is the definitive resource for inspectors, consumers, real estate professionals and the media for information, advice and resources dedicated to home inspection. You’ll have a wealth of shared knowledge at your disposal, whether you’re looking for specific home inspector rules or anything else. Read on for state-by-state examples or call 1-800-743-ASHI (2744) for further details.
and
"ASHI provides you a voice at the national level. ASHI was a primary source for introduction of HR 4776 “Consumer Protection Home Inspection Counseling Act”.
“At the state level, the majority of regulated states use the ASHI Standards of Practice as the basis of the state home inspection standards.”
From their "Oct 2007 ASHI Position-statement"
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is the nation’s oldest and largest
professional association representing the interests of more than 6,000 home inspectors and
home inspection as a profession. ASHI has a vital interest in any matters that may affect its members, the profession or the home buying public. Government regulation of home inspectors, or the profession of home inspection, has been an area of increasing concern and
activity in recent years.
I smell influence… If you can’t beat them… control them…with a governing body…
Patrick,
You have made my point, as has Jim.
One does not need to mention the word “ASHI” to have something influenced one way or the other.
Which is precisely why I sugggest amending the bill in the following way:
No person or business entity affilliated with a home inspection association, aligned with the home inspection industry, or who may benefit from the referral of a prospective buyer to any home inspection association or member, may counsel another with regard to the need for a home inspection, or in the home inspection process.
Association preferences or the mention of any home inspection association, inspection school, or home inspection exam by any counsellor is strictly prohibited.
**
If there is truly no alterior motive behind this bill, then ASHI will certainly welcome these benign additions.
Right…
Nick’s living does not depend on getting Home inspections, so he can afford to be patient whilst waiting for Ashi to self destruct, however it is us HI’S who are being cheated out of work by Ashi’s tactics to make us look unqualified at every level, and now they are trying to do it with the feds help.
Are you aware of any way of having this done without our getting directly involved, at the national association level, in the development and processing of this bill?
Here is an idea
Have about 2K Nachi members join Ashi - elect our members to the board of directors, change the bylaws, shut the whole club down and refund all the membership fees
— I know I have been out in the Florida sun too long —
To change the bill start with a letter to your Reps
Me thinks Nick is right on this one ashi will be so weak in the near future that we will have no ashi inspectors to compete with
The used home sales people will have no ashi members to call
Maybe for Nachi’s good health we should try to keep ashi alive so HI’s will have a choice. Free market is not a bad word.
rlb
There are several builders in Atlanta metro area that will not allow you in their new homes unless you’re an A$HI member. I’ve spoken with them and they insist that all other organizations are trash. I wish Nick would contact these guys and enlighten them.
Charlie
Nick’s heart has been in the right place.
ASHI took money from members (on top of their dues) and applied it toward a “branding” program that promoted ASHI.
Nick has devoted 100% of his time, attention and sweat to ensure that NACHI promoted its members.
That it why more than half of all ASHI members hold dual membership with us. While some of them continue to bash us through their branding programs, they still want to have their names in all of the HI search engines that NACHI dominates throughout the internet.