ASHI New England Conference 2024
Attack A Crack’s Matt Davis and exiting ASHI president Mark Goodman.
On September 9th and 10th, I had the opportunity to attend the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) New England Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts. This event was a fantastic chance to connect with home inspectors from across the region and gain deeper insight into the challenges they face at every level of their work. And when I say "every level," I mean it—conference topics ranged from broad market and political forces to the technical complexities of inspecting 18th and 19th-century homes to the science of moisture intrusion. The expertise and dedication of home inspectors were on full display, making it clear just how integral they are to the home-buying process.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Having never attended a conference like this before, I saw it as an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, push past a bit of imposter syndrome, and engage with a highly knowledgeable group of professionals. What I found was a welcoming and passionate community of inspectors, all deeply committed to understanding the issues that homeowners face. Their goal is clear: to provide thorough, informed guidance that empowers homeowners to make the best decisions about their properties.
Industry Challenges: A Decline in Home Inspections
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the downturn in demand for home inspections. I spoke with one inspection company owner who had to downsize from seven inspectors to just three due to reduced business. Others shared similar concerns, and even the conference itself saw lower attendance this year, as some inspectors have left the industry or cut back on expenses due to declining workloads.
A New Law Changing the Landscape
Amidst these concerns, there was also an undercurrent of optimism stemming from new legislation in Massachusetts. Recently enacted laws now prohibit the removal of a home inspection from real estate transactions. In recent years, in competitive seller’s markets, buyers were often pressured to waive inspections to make their offers more appealing. This practice, while advantageous for securing a property quickly, led to many buyers unknowingly purchasing homes with significant issues, sometimes leaving them financially overwhelmed.
From the home inspection industry’s perspective, the new law helps protect buyers from making uninformed decisions while also revitalizing demand for inspections. However, this legislation has also created tension between home inspectors and realtors—two groups that typically work closely together. The National Association of Realtors has opposed the law, arguing that while inspections are important, legally mandating them infringes on the freedom to negotiate terms in real estate transactions.
Attack A Crack’s Perspective
At Attack A Crack, we don’t take an official stance on this legislation, but we are keeping a close eye on its impact. Our goal is to support homeowners with the most reliable foundation assessments possible, whether through a full home inspection or our own free evaluations. We even offer assessments based on photos submitted via phone, making them an easy, convenient supplement to a formal inspection.
Looking Ahead
Overall, attending the ASHI New England Conference was a valuable experience. It provided an opportunity to better understand the home inspection industry, strengthen relationships with key partners, and explore ways we can work together to serve homeowners more effectively. In fact, we found the conference so beneficial that we decided to become affiliate members of ASHI New England, ensuring we stay actively involved in this critical professional community.
We look forward to continuing to collaborate with home inspectors and other industry professionals to help homeowners make informed decisions about their properties. If you need a foundation assessment, don’t hesitate to reach out—Attack A Crack is here to help!
