The "Problem" With "Problem"

Most home inspectors would summarize their job description as "discovering the problems in a home, and telling the buyer about them."

The problem with this definition is the word "problem."

The common assumption about a "problem" is that it needs to be solved. And, indeed, definitions of the word "problem" in the dictionary are:

• A state of difficulty that needs to be resolved;
• A source of perplexity, distress, or vexation.

Let me ask you, do you think a typical home buyer would find a list of "difficulties, perplexities, and vexations" a useful tool in their purchase decision?

If your answer is "probably not," I agree. Buying a house is already perplexing enough without the home inspector adding to the "difficulties."

Yet, the dilemma is that the home inspector has a duty to, (as real estate law describes it), discover the "defects" in a house and report them to the buyer. How to achieve this legal obligation without "vexing" the buyer, seller, and real estate agents is the conundrum of home inspecting.

I have found that the answer is to change the definition of the job ... i.e., if a home inspector's duty is to discover the "conditions" of a home rather than the "problems" -- then, instead of perplexing the parties, clarification of the issues can result.
This goal can be accomplished by utilizing the protocol of the Uniform Home Inspector's Code Bookâ