A Letter from the ASHI President

As we move through the second half of 2026, I want to take a moment to update our members on the work underway across ASHI and, more importantly, on where we are headed as an organization.

This has been a year of significant change. Change is not always easy, especially for an organization with 50 years of history. But our responsibility as leaders is not simply to preserve what ASHI has been. It is to ensure ASHI remains strong, relevant, and respected for the next generation of home inspectors.

Preparing for Our New Standards of Practice

One of our most important initiatives remains the implementation of ASHI’s new Standard of Practice. The new SOP represents a significant step forward for our profession. We also recognize that inspectors—particularly those working in multi-inspector firms—need sufficient time to understand the changes and integrate them into their businesses. Our current implementation target is January 31, 2027.

Between now and then, our focus is on education and preparation. Members need access to a clear and understandable SOP, along with the training and resources necessary to update inspection procedures, reporting systems, templates, and internal training. This transition should be thoughtful, not rushed. Our goal is to equip members with the tools they need to succeed under the new standard.

Investing in Education

Education remains one of ASHI’s most important responsibilities. ASHI continues to collaborate with leading education providers, including AHIT, to provide quality pre-licensing opportunities for those seeking to enter the profession.

We also continue working to:

● Strengthen continuing education programs and diversify our offerings

● Expand virtual learning opportunities

● Develop new technical content

● Explore micro-credentials and specialized training aligned with the future of our profession

At the same time, we are looking beyond simply providing continuing education hours. Education should help inspectors become better at what they do.

Whether someone is entering the profession, building a multi-inspector company, or has been inspecting homes for 25 years, ASHI should offer learning opportunities that make each inspector more knowledgeable, more capable, and more valuable to consumers.

Expanding ASHI’s Reach Through REALTOR Education

Our REALTOR Education Task Force continues to gain momentum and demonstrate real-world success. Recently, Roger Herdt, Ray Mayo, and James Jones worked together as a team representing ASHI and our membership, presenting ASHI’s REALTOR Education program. Herdt presented recently to a luncheon group of approximately 100 real estate professionals. The presentation received strong reviews and, just as importantly, reinforced an opportunity we must continue to address: There are still Realtors who do not fully understand who ASHI is or the value an ASHI inspector brings to their clients.

Our Director of Education, Edwin Barrera, and his team have developed clear, concise informational materials explaining the ACI program and why ASHI matters to serious real estate professionals. These resources, along with QR code cards providing easy access to the education program, will support future presentations and give our members practical tools they can use in their own communities. ASHI Reporter Editor Laura Rote wrote an article in the July issue of the Reporter to help spread the word nationwide.

What began as an initiative is evolving into a repeatable outreach program that ASHI members can bring into their own markets. By educating REALTORS about ASHI, our Standards of Practice, and the professionalism of our members, we can strengthen recognition of the ASHI name and create new opportunities for our inspectors. This is exactly the type of program we should continue to build—one that delivers tangible value to our members while strengthening ASHI’s position within the broader real estate community.

Advocacy and Protecting Our Profession

ASHI continues to strengthen its advocacy efforts. I have said before that ASHI should not be defined as either for or against licensing. We should be pro-good licensing.

That means supporting legislation and regulation that establish:

● Meaningful professional standards

● Appropriate education requirements

● Accountability and consumer protection

● Appropriate insurance requirements

● Independent oversight

● Reasonable reciprocity

It also means being willing to speak up when proposed legislation could negatively affect inspectors or the consumers we serve. 

ASHI must continue working closely with our chapters, legislators, regulators, and other industry stakeholders. Our national organization should serve as a credible technical resource whenever decisions are being made that affect the home inspection profession.

Strengthening the Path Into Our Profession

We are also taking a closer look at how new inspectors enter the profession. Education alone cannot replace field experience or mentorship. ASHI has long supported pathways that combine technical education, supervised field training, competency development, mentorship, and strong adherence to professional standards and ethics. Bringing qualified individuals into our profession and providing them with a legitimate path to success are essential to ASHI’s future.

We are already seeing strong engagement in this effort. I recently welcomed Mark Peterman, an ASHI member from Georgia, to our task force. Peterman was recommended by Scott Johnson, ASHI’s 2025 President, and is implementing our process within his own inspection business. Having working inspectors test and evaluate what we develop is exactly the kind of real-world involvement we need.

Membership and Our Financial Future

Members have also received notice of the increase in annual dues. Beginning with the upcoming membership year, annual dues will increase by $50, to $499. This was not a decision the Board took lightly. It is our first dues increase since 2018—a period during which virtually every cost associated with operating a national professional organization has risen.

These additional resources must be reinvested in our members through:

● Education

● Implementation of the new SOP

● Advocacy

● Technology improvements

● Chapter support

● Leadership development

● Maintaining ASHI’s credibility as our profession evolves

At the same time, the Board and finance committees continue to closely evaluate expenses and revenue. Raising dues cannot substitute for responsible financial management. We have an obligation to make difficult decisions, prioritize programs that deliver meaningful value to members, and continually evaluate how members’ dollars are being used. Our responsibility is not simply to ask members to invest more in ASHI. It is to demonstrate that ASHI is investing those dollars wisely in them and in the future of their profession.

Building a Long-Term Strategy

Another major undertaking this year has been ASHI’s strategic planning. We have spent significant time evaluating where ASHI stands today and where we want the organization to be in the years ahead.

That discussion includes:

● Membership growth and engagement

● Education and training

● Technology and infrastructure

● Advocacy

● Chapter support

● Certification pathways

● Leadership development

● How ASHI communicates its value to inspectors and consumers

A strategic plan cannot simply sit on a shelf. It must include measurable priorities, accountability, and realistic financial support. Our goal is to present the strategic plan to the Board for approval this fall and then begin turning those priorities into action.

Chapters Still Matter

As National President, I strongly believe that our chapters remain an essential part of ASHI. National provides standards, education, advocacy, technology, and organizational support. But chapters offer something equally important—relationships.

Chapters are where inspectors meet and learn from one another, find mentors, share experiences, discuss challenging inspections, and build professional relationships that can last an entire career

In September 2026, I had the opportunity to attend my own New England Chapter’s conference as ASHI National President. I was especially excited to be there not only in my role as President but also as a member of the chapter that has been an important part of my own professional journey.

50 Years Behind Us—and the Future Ahead

ASHI has reached a significant point in its history. For 50 years, inspectors before us built this organization. They developed standards, created educational programs, advocated for the profession, mentored new inspectors, and helped establish home inspection as a recognized profession. Now it is our responsibility to determine what the next 50 years will look like. We will not always agree on every decision. That is healthy. An organization composed of independent professionals should expect differing opinions and vigorous discussion. What matters is that we remain focused on our shared mission—protecting consumers, advancing our profession,  supporting our members, and upholding standards that give the ASHI name meaning.

I remain incredibly proud to serve as your 2026 President. I also deeply appreciate every member who has called, emailed, volunteered, challenged an idea, offered a solution, served on a committee, helped a fellow inspector, or simply taken the time to participate. ASHI belongs to its members.

There is still a great deal of work ahead, but I believe we are laying the groundwork for a stronger organization and a stronger profession. Thank you for your continued membership, your involvement, and your commitment to doing this profession the right way.