Student Discussion: InterNACHI® Code of Ethics Course

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To successfully complete this course, you must write two essays. 

This course page contains instructions for the first essay. This assignment may take a few hours to complete.

The second essay is described on the next course page.  



 In relation to this research and writing assignment: 

Reflect upon a situation where a home inspector would be involved in an ethical situation in which there is a choice to be made between two options to resolve the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion. Then, write an essay on that situation.

For example, the house seller requests that the home inspector “go easy” on the roof’s condition. How would an InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector handle that situation? One option would be to change your opinion; the other would be to write your observations in your report truthfully and accurately.  

For this assignment, please write a short essay on a hypothetical situation that relates to the topic of this course. You may create your own situation, or refer to something that you've experienced in the past related to an ethical decision. This writing assignment has much to do with what a home inspector may experience during a home inspection. 

Your essay must meet the following criteria: 

  • It must be written in English. 
  • It must be at least 80 words in length. 
  • It must be written at a minimum 4th-grade level.  
  • It must sufficiently relate to the topics of this course.

This research and writing essay assignment is very similar to what a home inspector does during a home inspection--performing an inspection, researching, studying, making observations, evaluating, writing notes, formulating opinions, making decisions under pressure, making decisions about what is right and what is wrong, handling the actions of other people, and communicating observations in written form. 

You will submit your essay in the box titled “Your Essay.” Once you submit your essay, staff will review and mark it.   

Please continue with the course after submitting your essay. If the essay does not meet the criteria, you'll be notified by email to rewrite the essay. 

It is not uncommon for a seller, if they are home during the inspection, to make some reference to "going easy" on them/the home. I always tell them that it is my job to observe and report on any issues, but context is important. I will tell them I can easily go into a new construction home and find numerous issues. I help the clients understand this and know, just because I have many write ups on a report, it doesn't mean it's a terrible home. I explain to them, they can fix everything in my report or nothing in my report. My job is to help the buyer understand the condition of the home to the best of my ability. What they do with that information is up to them based on their budget and priorities.
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I couldn’t agree anymore, I experience the same thing in the Pest Control world when I’m doing WDO Reports. They sometimes tell or ask me to over look termite weather its new or old. It’s not the end of the world, just something that needs to be fixed.

My name is Blake McCurry. I’m from Alabama. I’m just beginning the Code of Ethics Course.

Thats a good topic. Best of luck on your process!

Working on the Code of Ethics course. I hope I will be certified by the end of the month.

Hi Everyone, just started the code of ethics course. Looking forward to the rest of the course.

Hello, Chris from Maine here and looking forward to gaining knowledge on all aspects of home inspection.

Good luck Chris! I am also looking forward to gaining knowledge on all aspects of home inspection.

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Hello everyone, locking down the Code of Ethics today! Let’s do this!

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Just finished Code of Ethics! Looking forward to getting into the other courses.

Hello My name is Taylor and I’m from Illinois. I just started my education in Home inspections with InterNACHI last week.

This was a good course into the ethical practices of home inspections.

Good morning everyone my name is Ruben from California. Running through this code of ethics course has been very insightful.

Getting started on this course and serving clients in Central Illinois.

Good Saturday morning here in Boulder, Co. Working on the COE today, pretty much done other than 3 more mockup inspections. Wish me luck.