Buying a home is a big decision, and I'm here to help you every step of the way. I'm dedicated to providing exceptional service and value, giving you the knowledge you need to feel confident in your investment. During the inspection, I'll explain how your home operates, share maintenance tips, and point out energy-saving opportunities. You'll receive a clear, easy-to-understand report, a summary, and a 100-page home maintenance book with seasonal checklists and DIY repair guidance. I use an infrared camera to see what others can't, and I'm always available to my clients for questions and support. Welcome to the neighborhood – and welcome to my client family!

You can trust my expertise as a Certified Professional Inspector (CPI®) with InterNACHI®, the world's leading inspection organization. I'm committed to staying at the forefront of the industry, completing at least 24 hours of continuing education annually, and I'm certified in a range of other inspection services. Here are all of my current inspector certifications and credentials.

We thoroughly inspect your home, following the Standards of Practice. This includes everything from the foundation to the roof and all the systems in between. We'll also look for signs of moisture, leaks, and material defects. If we find anything, we'll show you, explain the problem, and discuss why it's important to address.

A standard home inspection will cover everything outlined in the Home Inspection Standards of Practice, available at www.nachi.org/sop.

Your property inspection needs are covered with our comprehensive residential services. We follow established Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics to ensure thoroughness and integrity. We also offer specialized inspections, including radon gas testing, mold inspections and testing, and infrared thermography. Explore our detailed inspection services at https://www.maplehomeinspections.com/services.

Please review the complete inspection report thoroughly and ask about anything you don't understand. My job is to document any material defects I find during the inspection. These are issues that need prompt evaluation and repair by a qualified professional. Other defects will also be included. The summary report highlights these key findings, but it's important to understand it's a condensed version of the full report.

As a real estate professional, you play a crucial role in helping your clients choose a home inspector after an offer is accepted. It can be tempting to steer them toward the inspector with the easiest reports, the one on your preferred vendor list, or the cheapest option. However, these are not in your client's best interest. Your duty requires you to recommend the best inspectors. Recommending an inspector based on anything other than merit—whether it's a "soft" report, a paid placement, or low cost—violates this duty. The National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics outlines your responsibilities. Article 1 mandates protecting and promoting your clients' interests. Article 6 requires disclosing any financial benefits received from recommending real estate services (including benefits to your broker). The very nature of real estate transactions creates a potential conflict of interest, as your commission depends on a successful closing. Don't compound this by making recommendations based on anything other than your client's best interest. The best way to avoid negligent referral claims, act ethically, and fulfill your fiduciary duty is to help your client choose an inspector solely on their qualifications. While no agent can guarantee an inspector's thoroughness, there's often a correlation between fees and competence. Recommending the cheapest inspector for what's likely the biggest purchase of their lives is a disservice to your client. When in doubt, prioritize quality over price and guide your clients towards highly qualified, even if more expensive, inspectors.

Buying a home can be stressful, and a home inspection, while meant to provide peace of mind, can sometimes feel overwhelming. You're suddenly faced with a lot of information – the written report, photos, and the inspector's verbal explanations – all on top of the seller's disclosure and your own observations. It's a lot to process! Here's a helpful way to approach it: Take a deep breath. A typical inspection report covers maintenance recommendations, the lifespan of various systems, and minor imperfections. This information is valuable, but the truly important issues usually fall into four key categories: Major Defects: These are significant problems like structural failures. Conditions Leading to Major Defects: These are issues that could become major problems if left unaddressed, such as a small roof leak. Deal Breakers: These are problems that could affect your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home. Safety Hazards: These are issues that pose a risk to safety, like exposed wiring. Focus on these four categories. Often, even serious problems can be fixed relatively inexpensively, protecting both your investment and your family's well-being. Remember, many sellers may be unaware of some defects. Sellers aren't obligated to fix everything in the report; no house is perfect. Keep a balanced perspective. Don't let minor issues derail the deal. It's generally not appropriate to ask sellers to address deferred maintenance, items already disclosed by them, or insignificant flaws.

For a standard home inspection, please take the time to review the following documents: the Home Inspection Standards of Practice, the Code of Ethics, the home inspection agreement (which must be signed before the inspection), the complete inspection report(s) (not just the summary), and the InterNACHI® home maintenance book that you'll receive after the inspection.

Home inspectors provide a snapshot of a home's condition at the time of the inspection; they're generalists, not specialists. Their primary role is to observe and report on the home's current state. It's crucial for homeowners to understand that homes require ongoing maintenance. Over time, components will wear out, break down, or simply stop working. A home inspection isn't a crystal ball, a warranty, or a guarantee against future problems. Future issues like roof leaks, water intrusion, plumbing problems, or heating failures are beyond the scope of a home inspection and the inspector's responsibility. These are ultimately the homeowner's responsibility. The inspection and report reflect observations made on the specific date of the inspection, not a prediction of what might happen down the road. While a home inspection aims to identify material defects present at the time, it won't uncover every potential issue that exists or could arise.

I encourage you to join me during the inspection. I'll point out important details about your potential home and answer any questions you have as we go. Please don't hesitate to ask anything that's on your mind throughout the process. My focus during the inspection is on providing you with the information you need.