The Big Change in Lighting

The federally mandated changes in residential lighting are finally visible on the store shelf. There are fewer selections of incandescent lamps available, and more compact florescent (CFL) and halogen choices. The mandated changes may present some changes for the average homeowner.

Realistically, the incandescent bulb met many application needs, was inexpensive to buy, and used a standard amount of energy for light output. Newer lighting generally uses less energy to produce about the same amount of light. That is the first challenge homeowners will face; thinking about light in "lumens" rather than "watts."

Next, newer bulbs do not meet the same array of applications that incandescent bulbs did. Not all new technology can be used in base-up fixtures. Some new technology can not be used with all dimmer switches. And, newer technology may not provide the same service life that older lighting did.

One area that remains a problem for CFL lighting is service life. Some incandescent lamps in use by the author have been in service for over 10 years, and continue to provide adequate light output. Testing of CFLs in similar applications has been extremely disappointing, with service life less than one-fifth of expected. Some CFL lighting has lasted less than one year.

Additionally, the CFL lamps have tended to put off quite a stink when they expire. The odor does not dissipate quickly, and is very strong. CFL bulbs also contain material that should not simply be tossed in the curbside garbage bin. Instead, trips to the hazardous waste collection site are necessary. Halogen technology may be a reasonable alternative.

Halogen bulbs have typically given off more heat per watt than CFLs or incandescent lamps. As a result, newer halogen lamps are coming out that produce nearly the same lumens. For example, a 50-55 watt halogen may replace a 60 watt incandescent.

Still, the 50 cent incandescent bulb is very attractive when compared to the much pricier halogen, CFL, or LED alternatives. food for thought, and a suggestion to know what you are looking for when shopping for lighting in today's government-managed life.

Radon Action Month

Here we are, January again!  To start the New Year off on the right foot, please consider having your home tested for Radon.  Radon is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas that is radioactive.  Radon decay byproducts emit radiation for 3-4 days as they decay further.  If these particles have been inhaled, lung tissue is exposed to radiation during the decay process.  This exposure may alter cell reproduction rates, causing cancer.

Look for special offers on Radon testing kits from your local health department.  Listen for public service announcements on local radio and television stations, which may include special offers for Radon testing.  To learn more about Radon and the health effects of exposure, click on the links below.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

University of Kansas

U.S.G.S.

Test, Fix, Save a Life - the life you save may be your own.

An Ugly Side of Home Inspection

True story.

While conducting a home inspection on a particularly large property in Kalamazoo County, a local real estate agent decided to engage in some small talk. About home inspectors. It turns out that this particular real estate agent lives in the same neighborhood as a local home inspector. His opening comment was that this particular home inspector living nearby "likes to engage in politics."

"Politics?" I asked. Yes, politics, apparently. Or at the least, unethical business practices.

As the story was related, the neighborhood home inspector had a friend--who happened to be another home inspector--who wanted to purchase a house. The house was apparently too costly, so the home inspectors entered into an unwritten agreement that the neighborhood home inspector would inspect the house for the other inspector, documenting problems and deficiencies that did not exist, and exaggerating the problems that actually did exist. Thus the home inspector wanting to buy the house in question would be able to ask for reductions in the sale price. It was not revealed whether or not the property actually sold.

The truthfulness of this story could not be verified, but it would seem that this particular real estate agent had little or nothing to gain by relating this story to me. This story is not shared to point fingers at anyone. It is shared to illustrate yet another reason that home inspectors should be licensed in Michigan.

It is unknown whether the inspectors involved are members of any home inspection association, or whether any association they may subscribe to has any code of ethics, nor whether this particular real estate agent reported the inspectors involved to any association. Some might suggest that the real estate agent may have been sharing this story out of frustration that nothing could be done about the home inspectors in question, and that might be a valid point. Historically, home inspector associations have not made disciplinary records available to the public, so it is difficult to ascertain what associations do take action on complaints.

Though it is likely too late for the Michigan House to act, House Bill 4014 (2011) would license home inspectors in Michigan. Introduced by Democrat Richard LeBlanc, HB 4014 has been held captive by the House Regulatory Reform Committee (Hugh Crawford, Chair). A recent conversation with Representative Crawford's office will shed some light on some possible reasons why the committee chairman has neglected to bring this very important legislation to the committee's attention.

Slate Roofing

A caller several weeks ago inquired about inspecting a home with a slate roof.  The caller had been told by previous home inspectors that she had contacted that a separate inspection was necessary, and that it needed to be performed by a specialist in slate roofing.  She evidently had bought this suggestion hook, line, and sinker.

The truth is, any competent home inspector should be able to inspect a slate roof.  In this particular circumstance, the roof appeared to be an artificial, or manufactured, slate roof.  The roof shingles likely contained asbestos, based on the age and appearance of the shingles, and the rear of the house had been re-roofed using laminated asphalt shingles.

Slate roofs are not difficult to inspect if the home inspector is competent and knowledgeable regarding slate and manufactured slate roofs.  The inspection process itself is very similar to the inspection of any other type of roof; investigating for signs of damage or leaks, looking for missing or loose shingles, investigating for signs of improper installation or alteration, and so forth.

If a home inspector is properly trained, there should be no need for an additional roof inspection during the home inspection process.  The roof should be inspected as part of any competent home inspection.  Substantive training in home inspection will include slate roofing, so a good home inspector will be able to inspect and report on the condition of a typical slate roof.

Renegotiation A Problem?

In a recent Market Watch article (The Wall Street Journal), writer AnnaMaria Andriotis discusses the real estate recovery.  According to the article, which quotes the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 36% of real estate agents report "some kind of problem" between the buy-sell agreement and closing.  One item mentioned is "renegotiations of the sale terms."

Renegotiations typically result from new information revealed during the appraisal or home inspection.  The article specifically states "appraisals have been derailing home sales in cases when the appraised value of the home comes in lower than the purchase price the buyer and seller had agreed to."  What Andriotis fails to mention is that this often occurs when the appraiser is actually doing their job, and refusing to inflate the value of a property as was often done in the past, and was a primary cause of the real estate collapse.  The same may be true in the case of home inspections, where the home inspector properly and honestly reports the true condition of the property.

What Andriotis fails to address is the real issue, that the majority of properties on the market at present are in far worse condition than sellers or real estate agents are willing to admit, and when the actual value or condition is revealed to the buyer, buyers are now more willing to insist on renegotiating the buy-sell agreement or walk away.  As is said in negotiations, no deal is better than a bad deal.  Buyers are waking up to that reality.  The twist of the article seems to be that this is a bad thing.

The truth of the matter is that it is a good thing when a buyer attends to the details, which include researching proper permits for work done on the property, having an appraisal done by an honest appraiser, and having a thorough home inspection performed by a competent and professional home inspector who answers only to the buyer.  This is a reminder that, even in this day of high technology and open information, the warning "buyer beware" still holds true.  Honestly, it is more true today than it was in the past.

If you are purchasing a home, pay attention to the details.  It may save you more money than you could imagine.  Surround yourself with professionals with integrity who will focus on your interests only.  And still, beware.

Michigan Supreme Court Ruling

The Detroit News reported on 17 August 2012 that installers of appliances have no legal duty to warn homeowners about observed safety hazards.  The case involved installers of an electric dryer.  While installing said dryer in the home of a Clinton Township (Michigan) resident, the installers observed an uncapped natural gas line.  Some time later, the home owner opened a gas valve supplying the uncapped line.  An explosion resulted, severely injuring the homeowner and her children.

In a 4 to 3 ruling, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the appliance installers had no legal duty to warn the homeowner about the danger.  The court apparently did not comment on the installer's moral or ethical duty to warn the homeowner.  Nonetheless, the appliance installer could have avoided a lawsuit, and done the morally correct thing, by putting in place a policy that any uncapped natural gas lines be capped when installing an appliance.

Who Are The Stakeholders?

Many home inspection firms are operated as sole-proprietorships or owner-operated limited liability companies. The differences are minimal, but the point is that home inspection firms are typically small companies. So this narrows down who the stakeholders are relevant to any decision made by a home inspection firm. The stakeholders become the home inspection firm, and stockholders or investors, and the clients that the firm serves.

Over the years, many professional home inspection associations have suggested that stakeholders include the seller of a property, the real estate agents involved, and the mortgage broker in addition to the home inspection firm, investors, and the firm's clients. This is improper and wrong. Real estate agents have no interest in the home inspection firm, therefore they are not a stakeholder. Likewise with the seller of a property, or a mortgage broker. While these parties may be indirectly impacted by decisions made by the home inspection firm, they have no legal or financial interest in the firm. They should not be considered stakeholders.

Home buyers should be wary of home inspection firms that consider parties that do not have a financial or legal interest in the firm as stakeholders. This will more often than not muddy the agency dilemma faced by the home inspection firm, and could create a scenario where the client's interests are not a priority. As the saying goes, buyer beware.

Radon Action Month

Michigan Radon Action Month is January, and this year it seems to have passed by without a lot of attention. Radon gives off radiation as it deteriorates. As a gas, Radon is easily inhaled, and tends to attach itself to dust and other particulates in the air. Once Radon enters the lungs, radioactive solids are formed as the gas deteriorates. As these solids sit in the lungs, they give off radiation, which can alter the makeup of lung cells, thereby causing cancer. The only way to know if your home has elevated Radon levels is to test for Radon. There are many ways to do this. Some methods are free, such as procuring test canisters from your local health department, exposing them as directed, and sealing them and sending them to a lab for analysis. For more reliable tests, professional testing can be done. This typically costs between $95.00 and $130.00, depending on the testing agency and method. If you have not tested your home for Radon, please consider doing so. It could save your life.

Field Notes: Real Stories from Home Inspectors

1. A home inspector found termites in the garage of a home that was going to be purchased and renovated, then used as a rental. The bank refused to underwrite the loan for the buyer on account of the termites. Both the buyer and the buyer's real estate agent asked the home inspector to falsify his report, and retract the information in the report about the termites in the garage. The inspector refused.

2. A home inspector arrived at the house to be inspected, and received a telephone call from the bank employee doing the paperwork for the buyer's loan. The banker tells the home inspector that there can be nothing negative in the home inspection report, or the loan will not go through. The banker is married to the real estate agent representing the buyer. The home inspector refuses to compromise his integrity.

3. The home inspector performs a Radon test along with the home inspection, and the results come back high. The real estate agent suggests that the home inspector falsified the results. The inspector uses a continuous Radon monitor that is calibrated annually. Falsifying the data would be hard to do.

4. A home inspector performs a home inspection while the buyer is detained by the real estate agent in the living room. The buyer's son accompanies the inspector through the inspection. Several problems were found and reported, both verbally and in writing. Months later, the real estate agent is caught lying about the home inspector, claiming that the inspector failed to find various items, in an effort to dissuade a buyer from using that inspector. The real estate agent is successful in her efforts to manipulate the buyer. The home inspector is preparing to sue the real estate agent for slander and defamation of character.

5. A real estate agent has been working with a young family on finding a home. After the third home does not proceed to closing, the real estate agent suggests to the home inspector, on the fourth home, that the home is in very good condition and should not have any thing wrong with it. This is the third inspection that the inspector has done for this buyer. One of the previous inspections was done by an inspector claiming to be HUD certified. HUD does not regulate home inspectors. The real estate agent had been successful in lying to the buyer that they needed a HUD certified inspector for that inspection.

Not all real estate agents are deceivers and cheats. But many of them seem to be. The writer does know of one real estate agent who will not compromise his integrity under any circumstances.

Urgent News on CSST

The Subrogation and Recovery Law Blog has recently posted a report that a jury in Pennsylvania has found that corrugated stainless steel tubing, or CSST, is a defective product. The case arose from a claim that CSST does not properly disapate the energy from a direct or indirect lighting strike, resulting in serious fire fed by pressurized fuel gas. If you have CSST in your house, you should immediately contact the manufacturer to ask if they are considering replacement. You should also contact reputable licensed contractors for estimates on replacing any CSST in your home. For more information, visit http://www.subrogationrecoverylawblog.com/2010/10/articles/products-liability/csst-1/jury-rules-that-csst-is-a-defective-product-in-landmark-case/

Did You Miss Radon Action Week?

If you missed Radon Action Week, it is not too late to test your house for Radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has been linked to lung cancer. The federal government cites it as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, killing some 20,000 people per year. The U.S. E.P.A has set an action level of 4.0 pCi/l, and the World Health Organization has set an action level of 2.7 pCi/l. Find out more:

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division
Radiological Protection Section
Environmental Monitoring Unit
Radon Program
3423 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
P.O. Box 36030
Lansing, MI 48909
1-800-RADON GAS (1-800-723-6642)
State Radon Program Hotline that offers information and referrals.

Deck Inspections Can Save Lives

According to some home insurance underwriters, deck failures account for more injuries and deaths than any other part of the home. Deck inspections are recommended annually by the North American Deck and Railing Association. Look for the following signs of trouble: split or decaying wood, loose or missing fasteners, missing or failing flashing on decks attached to the house, loose beams or supports, loose planks or boards, loose or raised nails or screws, wobbly railings or railings that move when lateral force is applied. Any new deck work should have a permit if required. Review construction plans or repair plans with the local code authority to make sure that the deck will be sound and meet any building code requirements. Go to the NADRA website for more information: www.nadra.org

Hot Summer And Sizzling Electric Bills

South-west Michigan has experienced a hot July, and August is showing promise of more hot weather. If you are not on a budget plan with your electric utility, check your electric bill to see if the meter reads are estimated or actual. If the reads are estimated, check your electric meter. There are reports that estimated readings are excessively high, resulting in over-billing. To correct this, telephone your electric utility with the correct meter reading, and ask them to generate a corrected bill. This has saved some consumers hundreds of dollars on their July electric bills alone.

More On Licensing

Here we are, well into the second quarter of 2010. The Michigan legislature has yet to move on House Bill 4162, or Senate Bill 355. Both of these bills license home inspectors in Michigan, and were introduced over a year ago. They have but once been addressed by the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, and at that time were vehemently opposed by the Michigan Association of Home Inspectors, while the Michigan Coalition of Professional Inspectors supported the legislation. Many special interest groups are asking for changes to these bills. It is important, when considering the changes that are being requested, to look at what the real issue is in regard to licensing.

In searching for data about bad home inspectors, or bad home inspections, there is little to none readily available. This is still a "project" that is being pursued. However, in speaking with clients, potential clients, and people who have experienced a "bad home inspection", the tipping point seems to be that the offending home inspector either failed to report a readily apparent and significant finding, or they failed to report same in a factual manner, making clear the implications of their findings.

One argument, which seems to be very popular, is that this is due to a poorly trained or unprofessional home inspector. Another view suggests that it may not be the home inspector, as much as it is external influences that feel that they are "stakeholders" in the home inspection. The third most popular reason cited was greed on the part of the home inspector. While all of these may have some element of truth to them, the first and third are easily and simply regulated by government by requiring minimum training standards and continuing education throughout the license term, and adherence to state consumer protection law. It is the second reason cited that is problematic, and perhaps attracts the most attention.

When a party that is not a party to an agreement feels that they should have some degree of influence over that agreement, then there is an inherent conflict of interest. There is typically but one or two methods of regulating this kind of conflict of interest. Professional ethics, usually in the form of a Code of Ethics, often is sufficient. However, when large amounts of money are involved, the "interpretation" of professional ethics, or a Code of Ethics, can become skewed. Legislation is another form of regulation used to deal with this type of conflict of interest. For either of these forms of regulation to be effective, however, they must be enforceable, and enforcement action must be made available to those parties who would be impacted the most by a violation: the consumer.

When there is poor enforcement, poor enforceability, or when enforcement records are not made available to the public, problems can continue. When people feel that they can get away with doing something that is questionable, or outright wrong, then bad things begin to happen. So, when a home inspector finds shifting of the foundation, and reports it as such along with the recommendation that a structural engineer be consulted, the circumstances are now set for conflict.

From the professional home inspector's view, and likely his client's view as well, the home inspector has properly executed his duty and performed his job with integrity. However, if the client then rescinds their offer to purchase based on the home inspector's findings, the home inspector is often faulted by others who feel that they are "stakeholders" in the inspector-client relationship. If they have suffered a perceived loss due to the home inspector's work, they may attempt to "pay the inspector back."

Financial professionals and real estate professionals are very close. They talk amongst themselves and between professions regularly. They have large political action committees. On occasion , they have been known to speak bad about a home inspector, due to their perceived loss. The usual intent of this idle chatter can be be summed up by a threat made to one home inspector by a real estate agent: "I'll see to it that you never do any home inspections in this town again." This returns us to our original topic: licensing home inspectors. Is it necessary? Will it be effective, if home inspectors are not protected from conflicts of interest? These are questions that remain to be answered.

A Book Worth Reading

An interesting story came to the attention of The Michigan Inspector this week. It is from the book The Pied Piper of South Shore: Toys and Tragedy in Chicago. In the book, author Caryn Lazar Amster talks about the decline of the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. An interesting quote from the book: "By the summer of 1963, white homeowners who had lived in South Shore for many years, some all of their lives, were being pushed out of the neighborhood by greedy real estate agents embroiled in panic selling. They wanted white homeowners to sell now and sell cheap--a strategy that generated sales and made a killing for the realtors, the only ones who profited from the racism and fear." (p. 131). This says quite a lot. It is important for home owners, sellers and buyers of real estate, and others involved in the transfer of real estate, that things may not always be as they appear.

Free Radon Test Kits

Dr. Richard Tooker, the chief medical officer in Kalamazoo County, Michigan recently wrote to the Kalamazoo Gazette about the issue of Radon for National Radon Action Month. Through the grapevine, it was overheard that Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services on Gull Road is offering free Radon test kits during the month of January. Radon is an important environmental issue that is frequently ignored. Unfortunately, ignoring Radon can result in lung cancer for those exposed. To learn more about Radon gas, visit www.mi.radon.com or www.epa.gov/radon. Test your home. If you have Radon, fix it. The life you save may be your own.

January is Radon Action Month

Radon gas is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States. It is estimated that 22,000 people die of lung cancer due to Radon gas per year. Radon gas is present in soil and water, and enters homes through the foundation. You can not see, taste, smell, or feel Radon gas in your home. The only way to know if your home has a Radon problem is to test for it.

Testing is simple. Test kits are available from many government sources, as well as local hardware stores and home centers. Professional testing by Radon professionals is also an option. Regardless of the method of testing or the cost of testing, all homes should be tested for Radon gas.

If your home tests high for Radon gas, it can be fixed. Radon mitigation systems can be installed to remove Radon gas for $800.00-1200.00 for the average home. New homes should be constructed using Radon resistant construction techniques.

Facts about Radon:

• Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
• Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.
• There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs; check with one or more qualified mitigators. Call your state radon office for help in identifying qualified mitigation contractors.
• House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.
• High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test.
• Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.
• You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you've lived with a radon problem for a long time.
• A short-term test, followed by a second short-term test can be used to decide whether to fix your home. However, the closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 2.7 pCi/L, the less certain you can be about whether your year-round average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that radon levels below 2.7 pCi/L still pose some risk. Radon levels can be reduced in most homes to 2 pCi/L or below.

For further informaiton:

www.epa.gov/radon

1-800-767-7236 (1-800-SOS-RADON)

Eddie's Story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmOUY2Fc9yU

Please consider having your home tested for Radon.

Radon Action Week

Governor Granholm has declared the week of October 18-24, 2009, to be Radon Action Week in Michigan.

Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the United States would be expected to have an elevated indoor radon level, and in Michigan approximately 1 in 8 homes would be expected to have a radon problem. That number may be higher in Michigan's southern-most counties, from Kalamazoo to Washtenaw counties south.

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is naturally occurring in soil and rock. It enters buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls (sump openings; crawl spaces; floor/wall joints; cracks; space around plumbing, wiring, or ductwork; etc.).

Radon has no warning symptoms (it does not cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, etc.); the only known health effect is an increased risk of lung cancer!

Any home could have a radon problem. It doesn’t matter whether it’s old or new; energy efficient or drafty; or built over a basement, over a crawlspace, or built slab-on-grade; it could have a problem. All homes should be tested. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it!

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in more than 21,000 new lung cancers each year (more than 600 of those in Michigan alone!). EPA and the Surgeon General recommend that all homes be tested for Radon. Protect yourself and your loved ones! Test your home for radon today! 1-800-RADON GAS/1-800-723-6642 OR www.michigan.gov/deqradon

An Argument in Favor of Licensing

One argument often brought up in favor of home inspector licensing is that licensing gives the consumer relief from bad home inspectors, because it allows the State to take action against a bad home inspector if licensing regulations are violated. Opposition to that argument often comes from those who are members of professional associations which require certain standards be met or maintained for continued membership or certification. However, this is dependent on enforcement of those standards. Here are a few examples:

Not too long ago, a story was related to me by a client who had recently experienced a bad home inspection, along with a particularly grievous insult after the fact. He had retained a home inspector to conduct an inspection for the fee of $225.00. During the inspection, which he attended, the home inspector failed to note a stain on the ceiling. The client took note, and brought this stain to the inspector's attention. The inspector assured the client that the stain was old, and would be fine. On the assurances of the home inspector, the client proceeded to closing. On final walk-through the day before closing, the client noted that the "old stain" had increased in size significantly, and was now growing mold. The client backed out of the deal. The sellers sued for breach of contract. In the court affidavit, the inspector stated that he had indicated the the stain was damp, and required immediate attention. Based on this false affidavit, the court awarded for the seller in the amount of $25,000.00. Thus, this fellow's home inspection ended up costing him $25,225.00. The client felt he had no recourse. He did not have information about the home inspector's certification, nor information on how to file a complaint. In addition, it was his opinion that the certifying association would take no putative action.

In another case, where the home inspector is certified by the same association, documentation and public information reveal that the home inspector provides bids for work after inspecting residential properties, in direct conflict with that association's code of ethics. What's more, this inspector is married to a real estate agent - information that is not disclosed to potential clients, but may be important for clients to know. While it is widely known that this is happening within the local professional home inspection community, no complaints have been filed, and the practice continues.

In both of these cases, licensing may provide the only means to eliminate unethical behavior. Without proper and effective policing from within, any association can claim to be regulating its members, but in reality they are simply covering up incompetent, unethical, and dangerous practices. Before accepting the claim that an organization does police its membership, proof should be on hand demonstrating that they do in fact do this. Cases should be made public, and the docket should show regular and current activity. Without valid proof, the claim of self-policing is mute, and should not be accepted as an argument against protecting the public through home inspector licensing.

Legislation

Michigan does not currently require home inspectors to be licensed. When looking for a home inspector, be sure to verify what license is being referred to when a home inspector advertises "licensed". Many home inspectors are licensed builders. Michigan recently changed its builder licensing law to require continuing competency training.

Representative Richard LeBlac of Michigan's 18th District introduced House Bill 4162 earlier this year. This bill is currently being held by the Regulatory Reform Committee. Representative Bert Johnson is chair of this committee.

Senator Glenn Anderson or Michigan's 6th District introduced a companion bill, Senate Bill 0355. This bill is also delayed in the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform committee. Senator Alan Sanborn chairs this committee.

The current bills represent 4 years of hard work on the part of Michigan's Legislature and professional home inspectors working to address the question of licensing. These bills are good legislation. They protect the consumer, and assist the inspector in eliminating conflict of interest issues. The single shortcoming is the absence of a prohibition against real estate agents steering home buyers to specific home inspectors.

To show your support for this legislation, contact your State Senator or Representative. To contact the sponsors of these bills, telephone Richard LeBlanc at 517-373-2576 or 888-737-5325. Senator Glenn Anderson can be reached at 517-373-1707 or 866-262-7306. Let them know that you support this legislation, and would like to see it move out of committee.