This introductory video for "Lesson C: Introduction to Real Inspection Reports - Foundations of Home Inspection" delves into the fundamentals of home inspections, emphasizing real inspection reports. It features an in-depth exploration of a professionally inspected property and briefly highlights a flipped house. You will see actual footage and report segments that provide a practical perspective on the inspection process and its pivotal role in real estate transactions, especially during repair negotiations stemming from identified defects.

The course adopts a "reverse training" approach, beginning with the end product—completed inspection reports—to structure your learning. It progresses to cover construction and inspection principles, culminating in a focus on report writing and analysis. This comprehensive introduction underscores the critical importance of home inspections in fostering transparent real estate dealings and equips you with the skills to conduct detailed inspections and effectively use home inspection software. These lessons set a high standard and prepare you to delve into construction. principles in greater detail.

Important note: To progress in this course, you must watch each video in full and pass every exam with at least 80 percent, though you have unlimited attempts at the exams.

The course syllabus, provided below each video, outlines the content without requiring any additional actions like downloading or memorization.

Video Player Shortcuts

Before you start the video below, please be aware that keyboard shortcuts are available. Use the prompts in the text box for easier video navigation, particularly as we move from the introductory section to more in-depth videos. Additionally, you'll find several tools in the bottom right corner of the video player.

One key feature is the note-taking tool, which allows you to open a window on the video to save your notes. We encourage you use this tool throughout this course.

Utilize these keyboard shortcuts to navigate the video when viewing on a laptop or desktop PC:

F: Fullscreen

Space: Play/Pause

Arrow Up: Volume +

Arrow Down: Volume -

Arrow Left: Rewind 10s

Arrow Right: Advance 10s

K: Play/Pause

Esc: Close Menus

After watching this video, please proceed to review and download your home inspection agreement

We provide templates for two fundamental home inspection agreements within this package. To customize these to your specifications, you will need to amend them with specific information such as your company name, your personal name, the client's name, addresses, and so on. We encourage you to download these documents and keep them in your student folder, ensuring they are readily accessible for use in the field.

Why are inspection agreements crucial for home inspectors?

Inspection agreements are vital for home inspectors for several reasons:

1. Clarity of Scope: They clearly define the scope of the inspection, detailing what will and will not be covered. This helps manage client expectations and prevents misunderstandings.
2. Legal Protection: Agreements serve as a legal contract between the inspector and the client, offering protection if disputes over the inspection's scope or findings arise.
3. Professionalism: Providing a formal agreement underscores the inspector's professionalism and commitment to adhering to industry standards.
4. Liability Limitation: Agreements often include liability limitations that can protect inspectors from claims exceeding the inspection fee or claims for issues outside the inspection's scope.
5. Client Confidence: A well-drafted agreement reassures clients about the inspection process, helping to build trust and confidence in the inspector’s services.

Note for aspiring home inspector: This agreement, a binding legal document, should be signed by your client before the home inspection. If using inspection software, import the document; otherwise, use a platform like "DocuSign" or create a signable PDF for ease. Simplify the signing process for your client, allowing for on-site or prior signing, with efficiency in mind.

Course Navigation Note:

Please click the provided link to access and save the home inspection agreement by downloading it to your designated student folder on your computer. This folder will become a crucial resource for accessing important documents as you conduct home inspections. The course syllabus is also included below and appears at the end of each section for easy reference. No action is needed on your part for the syllabus; it is provided to facilitate smooth course navigation.



The course syllabus can be found at the bottom of each page. No further action is required at the end of the module pages.

Iron Mountain Home Inspection Academy Course Syllabus

Module 1: Exploring Home Inspection Reports: A Guide to Selecting Tools and Understanding Safety Principles

Lesson C: Introduction to Real Inspection Reports - Foundations of Home Inspection

Foundations of Home Inspection: Real Inspection Reports Overview

In this module, students will explore the fundamental principles of home inspections through an immersive video tour of a property exceeding 3000 square feet, which has undergone a professional inspection. Additionally, a smaller house that was flipped will be showcased briefly at the beginning, with other properties included throughout the module. By providing real inspections and accompanying reports, students will gain firsthand insight into the practical aspects of conducting inspections. This innovative approach includes GoPro footage alongside images from the inspection report. In subsequent modules, long-form and short-form reports will be presented for student download, allowing them to utilize these templates for their own reports. This unique innovation is developed by the Iron Mountain Home Inspection Training Academy and is not found elsewhere in this format.

The course emphasizes the significance of home inspections in real estate transactions, including the negotiation of repairs based on identified defects. Please note that these examples in this lesson are intended to familiarize you with home inspections, the reports, and the process. Throughout this module, you will be exposed to numerous examples to deepen your understanding.

Our instructional approach is informed by research on effective online training methods, which suggests that people learn best from "reverse training" or "reverse planning." This means that we first show you examples of the final or finished product for you to process. Then, we teach you construction and home inspection principles, and finally, we revisit how to perform, view, and write home inspection reports. This approach completes the learning cycle.

Key areas covered include:

• Understanding the purpose and fundamentals of home inspections and their role in real estate contracts and agreements.
• Learning the basic process of offering a home inspection and identifying situations where buyers will seek out a home inspection.
• Examining a real home inspection report for a property with significant damage that required substantial repair negotiations, illustrating the critical value of thorough inspections.
• A detailed walkthrough of inspecting a large property, illustrating how to document defects and effectively use home inspection software. This is one of many home inspection reports that you will encounter in this course.
• A detailed walkthrough of inspecting an investment property that is under contract for purchase.