Are Home Inspectors In Demand?

It’s an important question you might have if you’re considering a move into full-time or part-time home inspection.  

Are home inspectors in demand?  

Fortunately, the answer is a resounding Yes! With the cost for starting a home inspection business low and the importance of inspectors in real estate. 

Read on to learn why the demand for home inspectors isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Plus, get insights into what the future holds for the home inspection industry. 

What Does a Home Inspector Do?

Home inspectors are key players in the real estate transaction process and important allies for homebuyers.

A home inspector is a trained specialist hired to inspect the major systems and structural components of a home. They are typically hired during a buyer’s due diligence process – as part of a home inspection contingency – before purchasing a home.

After completing an inspection, a home inspector provides the homebuyer with an inspection report that notes any major problems and recommended repairs for the property. With this knowledge of the existing condition of a home, buyers can decide if they want to move ahead with the purchase, ask for repairs, or walk away from the sale.

While most home inspectors work with homebuyers, they might also work with sellers, homeowners, commercial investors, government agencies, and insurance companies.

Is There a Demand for Home Inspection?

In short, as long as real estate properties are bought and sold, home inspectors will always be in demand. Let’s look deeper into the need for home inspectors today.

Why Would a Homeowner Need a Home Inspection?

Homebuyers aren’t the only people hiring home inspectors these days.

A seller might hire a home inspector to perform a pre-inspection before their real estate agent lists their home for sale. This helps identify potential repairs that may need to be made before listing the property. Homeowners also hire home inspectors to perform seasonal inspections for general home maintenance and safety – like inspections for pools/spas, termites, radon, septic systems, water quality, and more.

Home inspectors might also inspect homes after natural disasters and as part of the process in refinancing a mortgage.

Why Would a Commercial Building Need a Home Inspection?

Commercial building owners and investors also hire inspectors, known as commercial building inspectors.

Like home inspections, commercial inspections are part of due diligence in the sale process for multi-family apartment buildings, offices, warehouses, retail strip centers, hospitals, restaurants, and more.

Often, property owners get property inspections on their buildings to help figure a ballpark maintenance cost overtime. Plus, if they’re planning to renovate their property, owners might call on inspectors to help them decide if construction plans are realistic.

How Does the Current Housing Market View Home Inspections and Home Inspectors?

In 2023, 4.09 million existing homes were sold in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). According to data from the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 77% of all homes are inspected before a purchase. This means 3,149,300 existing homes likely had inspections last year.

Also in 2023, the number of homebuyers who included home inspection contingencies in their purchase offers stayed strong. According to Zillow’s 2023 Buyer Consumer Housing Trends Report, two-thirds of buyers (67%) said their final offers were contingent on a property passing a home inspection.

As of February 2024, the real estate market forecast appears optimistic. Existing home sales are predicted to rise while mortgage interest rates are expected to drop steadily over the year.

What’s more, Zillow’s 2023 Seller Consumer Housing Trends Report reports that the percentage of buyers who submitted offers that waived home inspections in 2023 was significantly lower compared to 2020 and 2021. Additionally, 90% of sellers reported that buyers completed home inspections on their homes at least once, a higher percentage than 2022.

Home inspectors are in high demand.

What Does the Future of Home Inspection Look Like?

No one has a crystal ball. But early 2024 trends point to a growing demand for home inspections.

Homeownership remains a big part of the American Dream. Homebuyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners will always need the services of a great home inspector.

To reiterate our short answer: As long as real estate properties are bought and sold, home inspectors will be in demand.

If you’re considering a home inspection career and want to dive deeper into the latest real estate industry outlook, take a look at NAR’s latest housing statistics.

Ready to Make a Move into the Home Inspection Business?

AHIT is here for you! Learn more about becoming a home inspector, find out the license requirements in your state, and even calculate your home inspector salary potential. If you have questions about our home inspector training courses, talk with a career advisor by calling 800.441.9411 or emailing ahit@theceshop.com.