ASHI Survey Reveals Home Inspections Boost Homebuyer Confidence in 88% of U.S. Adults

• 88 percent of respondents say home inspections increase their confidence about the condition of any property.

• More than four in five adults think foreclosures and short sales can be good deals.

• 84 percent of respondents say they would be more likely to purchase a distressed (foreclosed or short sale) property after a home inspection deemed it in good condition.

• Consumers are uncertain of the services traditionally included in a home inspection.

• The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is the Gold Standard of Home Inspectors.

DES PLAINES, Ill, (April  18, 2012) –  According to a survey released today by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 85 percent of those surveyed believe distressed properties, such as foreclosures and short sales, can be good deals. More than four out of five (84 percent) respondents state they would be more likely to purchase a foreclosed or short sale property if a home inspector found it to be in good condition. This boost in confidence delivered by a home inspection conducted by an ASHI-Certified Inspector (ACI) may be an additional factor to help increase sales of these distressed properties, depleting surplus of inventory and spurring the recovery of the housing market.

The online survey[1]was recently conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of ASHI to better understand current consumer perceptions about the value of a home inspection. Almost nine in 10 (88 percent) adults say a home inspection increases their confidence about the condition of a property. Eighty-four percent of adults believe home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.

“It is encouraging to learn having a home inspection increases homebuyer confidence,” said Marvin Goldstein, ASHI president. “We look forward to prospective buyers acting on the security brought by home inspections to breathe even more life into the recovering housing market.”

Interestingly, while homeowners are aware of the importance of a home inspection, more than one in four (28 percent) mistakenly believes the purpose of an inspection is to verify that a home complies with local building codes. More than one in 10 (12 percent) confused a home inspection with an appraisal.

“ASHI is focused on raising consumer awareness about the value and components of a home inspection,” said Goldstein. “We will continue to take active steps to clarify for homeowners and homebuyers alike what should be expected during an inspection conducted by an ACI, and set high standards for our members to help ensure their customers are well-informed and satisfied.”

ASHI Certified Inspectors subscribe to the ASHI Standards of Practice, which visually examines the condition of the home’s roof, attic and insulation, foundation, basement and structural components, as well as interior plumbing and electrical systems. For a complete list of what’s included in a home inspection, please visit www.ASHI.org.

ASHI is the only home inspection association accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for its Certified Inspector Program. Because not all home inspectors are required to be state-licensed, ASHI-Certification is a badge of professionalism and on-the-job experience consumers should look for when hiring an inspector.

To find a local ACI, visit the “Find an Inspector” tool on the organization’s website at www.ashi.org. Customers are advised to check with their local inspector for a complete list of services provided.

About the American Society of Home Inspectors
Founded in 1976 and with more than 5,000 members, ASHI is the oldest and most widely recognized non-profit, professional organization of home inspectors in North America. Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is the industry standard. For more information, visit ASHI online. To stay connected to ASHI news and updates, please visit the association’s Facebook Fan Page and Twitter. 

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Editorial Contact: Roxanne Pipitone, Gibbs & Soell, rpipitone@gibbs-soell.com.