One of the ethical changes will allow home inspectors belonging to the affected inspection associations to perform repairs for the buyer/seller on items found during the inspection. They will also be allowed to offer sales of products following the inspection and conduct any other type of business associated with the transaction, as long as it is disclosed to the buyer. These are activities that are generally considered a clear conflict of interest, claims Richard Matzen, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

"Throughout our history, we have always restricted our members from performing repairs or other value-added services on the buildings that they inspect, and members are required to sign a written contract stating their intentions to follow this restriction," adds Matzen, whose organization has developed the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that have become a benchmark in the home-inspection profession.

"What these other organizations are doing is potentially harmful for home buyers and sellers. This is a vital element to consumer protection in the home-inspection process." Matzen says that by allowing home inspectors to perform additional services on the properties they have inspected, even with disclosure to the client, the home buyer or seller has no way of knowing whether or not the inspector's findings are being influenced by the hope of obtaining additional work or financial gain. If clients have reason to question the motives of home inspectors, there is little value to the service.

In order to locate a home inspector who follows the strongest ethical and professional standards, Matzen advises consumers to look for American Society of Home Inspectors membership, check for references and interview at least three inspectors before settling on one. To obtain a list of professional ASHI home inspectors in a particular community, as well as a listing of ASHI's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, visit www.ASHI.org.

"It is essential that consumers do their homework before hiring a home inspector, even if a consumer lives in a state where home inspectors are regulated," says Matzen. "In some states, regulation is a misnomer, since the so-called 'regulation' is as much a registration process as anything. This is why it is important to ensure the home inspector has significant experience, has completed testing requirements—such as the National Home Inspector Examination—and adheres to a strong Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics."

Realtors are another source of knowledgeable information about home inspections and can help buyers and sellers navigate the home-inspection process. Realtors also follow a professional code of ethics and must adhere to a high set of standards.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.