On behalf of the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, I would like to extend our gratitude to the many citizens who recognized and acted upon the threat that the Missouri Association of Realtors posed by its recent attempt to control home inspectors by legislation that would put its members in control over who would be and who would not be allowed to be licensed as a home inspector in this state.
As home inspectors, we recognize that not all real estate salespeople will do anything and everything to get a sale. Some are very honest and professional folks. Still, it is very important to the person who is looking to buy a house to know that the inspector they hire to inspect the home has no interest at all in its sale.and is not influenced, directly or indirectly, by anyone who is. With the commissions that are earned by real estate salesmen and brokers in the area of $18,000.00 to $25,000.00 for many of the homes being sold in this state, a home buyer needs to have a disinterested third party --- a home inspector with nothing to lose or gain in the sale --- to advise them as to the actual condition of the property they are looking to buy.
Some members of the Missouri Association of Realtors, still smarting over the unexpected failure of HB 978 to become law, have promised a more vigorous and better funded effort to bring another bill to the legislature in the next session. I am confident that the citizens of our great state will, once again, rise to the occasion and ensure that their home inspections remain free from the conflict of interest that some would prefer that they have.
James H. Bushart,
President, Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors
St. Louis, MO
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