RELOOLOGY INSPECTIONS: PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS (HOME INSPECTIONS)
Relocation property inspections are unique and differ from a standard home/property inspection. For a relocation property inspection, the guidelines and standards are established by Worldwide ERC® (the workforce mobility and relocation association) to support employee relocation programs and use the Worldwide ERC® Property Assessment form. Its purpose is to document the condition of a relocating employee’s primary residence in its “as‑is” state for the benefit of a corporate or government client—not for a buyer or seller—and to help assess risk, required repairs, and relocation benefits.
WHAT IT IS (Key Characteristics):
- A limited visual assessment, not a full home inspection typically performed by “buyers inspections”
- Non‑invasive (no destructive testing or disassembly)
- Focuses on soundness, safety, and function
- Documents conditions as of the inspection date
- Prepared using the Worldwide ERC Property Assessment form and guidelines
- Intended for the relocation client (employer or relocation company)
WHAT IT IS NOT:
- Not a buyer’s home inspection
- Not a warranty or guarantee of future condition
- Not a code or specialty inspection (electrical, structural engineering, pest, etc.)
- Not for reliance by buyers, sellers, lenders, or agents
A property assessment is not an appraisal, which is focused on the fair market value of a property.
WHAT CAN YOU DO BEFORE AND DURING THE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
- Being flexible and available for scheduling helps the process to get off to a good start – as the relocation company and/or your employer will need the results as soon as possible.
- Please allow for easy access to all areas of the home. The home inspector will not move personal belongings to gain access. Please have any personal belongings moved away from crawl space and attic entries as well as provide clear access to the electrical panels, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, etc.
- Have the house ready for the home inspector as much as possible, such as replacing light bulbs and other maintenance items. This can save time and help avoid possible re-inspections of these items.
- Please allow the home inspector the necessary time to complete the full assessment.
- Advise the inspector of any known problems or defects and answer any questions that the inspector may have regarding the property. Feel free to offer information on any significant remodeling, modifications or repairs to the property.
- Please do not try to conceal any defects of which you may be aware.
- Please have pets secured at the time of the assessment.
- Remove any personal belongings blocking access to the attic, crawlspace, water heater, A/C/heaters, and electrical panels. The inspector may politely ask you to move any personal belongings if an entrance or system is blocked.
WHO WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE RESULTS?
The home inspector will be polite and courteous and will be happy to answer any general questions. However, at the request of the relocation company and/or the corporate employer, the inspector is not to disclose any findings unless they pose an immediate health threat. The relocation company or the corporate employer will review the findings and disclose them to you at their discretion.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL THE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT TAKE?
The property assessment timeframe varies from house to house depending upon many factors such as size, age and condition. The average property assessment takes approximately two hours to complete but may require more or less time. Additional specialty inspections (wood destroying insects, roof inspections, etc.) may also be conducted in addition to the property assessment and will vary in time and may or may not be conducted by the same inspector.
WHEN WILL THE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT RESULTS BE AVAILABLE?
- First, it is important to understand that the property assessment is not a pass or fail situation.
- Secondly, after the inspector has been on site, additional work will need to be completed after he returns to his office. The property inspector will provide his written field notes for ReloOlogy’s review and it is our goal to provide a final report to the relocation company or the corporate employer within 5 business days from date of inspection.
- Finally, each third-party client has their own policy on how and when to disclose the assessment results to the homeowner and will do so at their discretion.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING A RELOCATION PROPERTY ASSESSMENT?
Qualified professionals in the home inspection industry perform general property assessments. In some states, licensing is required. The property assessment is of “visible and readily accessible” components and areas of the home.
Primary inspection points will include but are not limited to:
- Foundation – Exterior foundation of the home as well as visible walls and framing members in the crawl space and/or basement.
- Exterior Surfaces – Siding material, trim, fascia, soffits, doors and windows as well as the grading surrounding the house, etc.
- Roof – Roof surface (shingles, etc.), flashing, vents, skylights, attic areas, etc.
- Electrical – Main electrical panel and any sub panels, a random sampling of electrical outlets, fixtures and smoke detectors.
- Heating & Air Conditioning – General testing of furnaces and air conditioners when safe to operate.
- Plumbing – Water heaters, kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures, supply and drain lines as well as any other visible plumbing lines.
- Interior Surfaces – Floors, walls and ceilings (for structural concerns).
RE-INSPECTIONS
Re-inspections may be performed at our client’s request. These may include, but are not limited to, items disclosed on the original ReloOlogy Property Assessment or Individual Assessments. Re-inspections may also be performed as a result of limitations experienced during the original assessment. It is always helpful when documentation can be provided to ensure that qualified repairs have been performed in needed areas as disclosed in the original assessment.