Colorado

Colorado Home Inspector

Whether you are buying or selling a home, a home inspection should be part of the process. There are no state regulations for Colorado home inspections or for a Colorado home inspector. The Real Estate Division of the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies specifically addresses the topic of home inspectors and home inspections. No standard form is recommended for a home inspection, no regulating laws exist, and no certifications or licenses are required to be a Colorado home inspector. The Real Estate Division does indicate that the state regulates professional engineers.

The individual consumer must determine what constitutes as a qualified home inspector. There are professional associations for home inspectors and two of them are referenced on the Colorado DORA website. These are the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), also known as InterNACHI. Colorado also directs the consumer to the Better Business Bureau for information on any inspector who advertises as a member of that organization. Professional associations are self-regulating. There are stringent requirements for membership, ensuring that those representing themselves as members are competent and will deliver a reliable service.

The Colorado DORA offers a checklist for new homebuyers, stating that the buyer should get a home inspection before buying the home, as well as an appraisal. A competent buyer’s-agent realtor will be certain that your contract includes wording that requires a home inspection. The contract will also define how the results of the home inspection will be handled, including recommended repairs.

In the Colorado DORA Real Estate Manual, there are a number of Real Estate Commission recommended forms, including Seller’s Property Disclosure (All Types of Properties) SPD19-9-08 and a recommended Inspection Notice NTC43-8-07. The first form is completed by the seller, not the broker, and includes a checklist of known problems. The latter form gives the buyer the right to cancel the contract if certain problems are not remedied to his or her satisfaction.

Hire a home inspector who is trained, trustworthy, and who can explain the final report to you, offering protection from things that go bump in the night. Maintenance and repairs will impact your monthly expenses. With a qualified realtor and an expert Colorado home inspector, you have a team on your side preparing to roll out a welcome mat to your own Colorado haven of comfort.