Fact:  As of January 2007, there were over 7,000 home inspectors listed as members of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).  In addition, there are many others who either choose not to belong, or are unable to meet the membership requirements of these professional associations.

Of the over 7,000 inspectors indicated above, only approximately 150 have chosen to signify their independence from influence by joining Independent Home Inspectors of North America (IHINA) and signing a pledge to remain independent of real estate agents.  Only 13 Canadian home inspectors have chosen to be truly independent and I am the only one in Alberta.

Fact:  On average, most home inspectors get 70% of their referrals from Realtors.  That makes them dependent on Realtors for their livelihood.  In the past 5 years less than 7% of our inspections came from Realtor referrals.

Fact:  Realtors keep "short lists" of 3 or 4 home inspectors to hand out to their clients.  If one of these inspectors causes a deal to fall through, they are dropped off the short list.  To stay on the list, the inspector ends up working for the Realtor, not the buyer.

Fact:  In a recent court case in New Jersey, the judge found that the home inspection report "was so "balanced" as to render it pablum and worthless" and had told the buyer "nothing important about the condition of the house they had agreed to buy, but undoubtedly pleased the realtor.  In that respect it was affirmatively misleading."

See: http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/courts/appellate/a6252-99.opn.html