Chairman's Message

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that the real estate market is not as good as it used to be. Established inspectors have seen their total number of inspections dwindle and new CCI’s and candidates find it increasingly difficult to break into the inspection industry. With the rising cost of gas and the continuing meltdown of the loan industry, not to mention the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae bail outs, it’s anyone’s guess when we will see an upswing in our profession.

CREIA realizes that times are tough and, rather than complaining ourselves, we have decided to do something about it. So, until future notice...

• Any member who wants to link their website to their listing in the CREIA Inspector Finder can do so for the one time fee of $25.00 rather than the $75.00 fee.
• The CREIA CAMP DVD Set has been reduced to half price.
• If you are one the first 50 to register for the upcoming Mike Casey Electrical Toolbox you will receive an Electrical CodeCheck® with your registration.

CREIA understands that all of our members, from candidates to CCIs, MCIs, and CNCSs are important. Obviously, without the individual members, there would be no CREIA. I want to thank every member for continuing their respective memberships with CREIA. The new Board of Directors is working hard to implement those changes that will make being a CREIA member more beneficial to each of us. Some of those changes include:

• A shift from member dues as the primary income source for our Association.
• Bringing quality education to both North and South areas to minimize the traveling distance between events.
• Identifying outside income sources to supplement our revenues.

In addition, at the July Board meeting, the Board adopted a Mentor program that pairs a new candidate with a seasoned CREIA member. Now, each new candidate has an education resource based on “time in the trenches” experience with their assigned Mentor. New candidates, besides meeting the requirements of CECs and passing the CREIA CCI test, must attend at least one ride-along with their Mentor and either submit an inspection for Mentor review or participate in a parallel inspection with their Mentor. No other inspection association provides this to their candidates! The expected result will be a higher level of expertise for CREIA candidates ready to move up to CREIA Certified Inspectors. By “raising the bar “for candidates, we improve our Association and give those members the tools to succeed in our profession. At present, the new Board of Directors will act as Mentors with all qualified volunteers welcome.

As always, if you as CREIA members have any comments on how to improve our Association, please contact your Chapter President, Regional Director or simply e-mail the Board of Directors through the CREIA website.

Michael Foschaar, MCI
Chairman of the Board 2008/2009

This Month ...

Photos From July 2008 Leadership Morning and BOD Meeting in Bakersfield, CA

July 2008 BOD Meeting Synopsis (Members Only)

Ethics: The Home Inspection and The Pest Inspection

Off the Net (Members Only)

Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater Update

Life Expectancies of Building Components

$25 Link Fee

CREIA's New Online Calendar

July Leadership BOD Meeting in Bakersfield, CA Photos

CREIA Chapter Presidents for 2008/2009

CREIA Board of Directors for 2008/2009

Submitted byGreg Noyes, CREIA MCI, CNCS

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EVENTS

Congratulations!

New Candidates

Jason Havel
Jim D Manning
Deane Cote

New CCIs

Michael E Peck
James Lichtenstein

New Affiliates

Michael Felsburg
Joseph T. Leone