Only some cities in the Twin Cities metro area require a Truth in Housing (TISH) inspection. They’re also called Time of Sale or Point of Sale, depending on the city. Some cities require repairs after the inspection, and others don’t. See my homepage for details about your city.
A TISH inspection is shorter than a buyer’s inspection and focuses more on safety-related items, like wiring hazards, smoke and CO alarms, handrails, and plumbing cross connections (places where water can get siphoned backwards into the water supply. One example of a cross connection is pictured at right.) A typical TISH evaluation takes about an hour.
The evaluation is usually paid for by the seller. Different evaluators charge different rates. The rates are essentially driven by the market and are not set by the cities. I’ve heard of rates as low as $150 and as high as $300 for a single family home (but they may be rumors, too – I don’t really know what everyone else charges). In cities that require a 2nd trip to inspect repairs, that fee can range from $50 to $110. I’ve been a licensed evaluator for about 20 years, and rates haven’t gone up very much in that time.
After I do the inspection, I type up your report, file it with the city, pay a filing fee, and send you a PDF file or a link to the report. A printed copy of the report must be at the house for showings.
