Home Inspectors and Appraisers Are Relying More on Technology

With on-site visits vital for inspectors and ideal for appraisers, some shifts in processes and execution have been necessary in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working during a pandemic has changed processes and routines for just about everybody, including home inspectors and professional appraisers. While looking at comps and online data provide a lot of usable background on a property, the on-site visit is still critical. For home inspectors, going virtual is not an option. “The process of a professional home inspection is a hands-on experience. I have not yet seen an algorithm that is capable of entering and inspecting a crawlspace or attic,” says Mike Wagner, a home inspector with R.A.L. Inspections based in Westfield, Ind., and the current president of the American Society of Home Inspectors.