InspectDayBlog
Home inspection marketing
A published report can be shared by link or email, and referral, review and advertising rules limit the rest of your marketing.
By InspectDay NAR, ASHI, federal and Google pages, checked on 2 min read
Share the report
Share a published report by link or by email, one method at a time. A link opens the report with no sign-in. An email goes to up to ten addresses, and only when you send it.
The report shows each inspector’s profile photo, and the company’s name with its logo, or its initials when there is no logo. It carries no “Powered by InspectDay” line.
ASHI’s Code of Ethics says inspectors shall not disclose inspection results or client information without client approval.
Agents and referrals
NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reports that 88% of all home buyers used an agent or broker. That is a share of buyers, not of inspections.
RESPA’s definition of settlement service includes rendering inspections, including inspections required by law or by the sales contract or mortgage documents before transfer of title. No one may give or accept a fee, kickback or other thing of value for referring business that is part of a settlement service on a federally related mortgage loan.
ASHI’s Code of Ethics says inspectors shall not pay realty agents, directly or indirectly, for referrals or for a place on a list of recommended inspectors.
Reviews
A business may not give compensation or other incentives in exchange for, or conditioned on, the writing of reviews that express a particular sentiment, positive or negative. That is the FTC rule at 16 CFR 465.4.
Advertising
ASHI’s Code of Ethics says advertising, marketing and promotion shall not be fraudulent, false, deceptive or misleading.
Paid search
Local Services Ads is available for certain service categories only, and home inspector is one of them. To go live with pre-badge ads, it asks for a license, or a business registration if you are not required to submit a license.
Sources
- American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc., “Code of Ethics”
- National Association of REALTORS®, “First-Time Home Buyer Share Falls to Historic Low of 21%, Median Age Rises to 40”
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “§ 1024.2 Definitions”
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “§ 1024.14 Prohibition against kickbacks and unearned fees”
- U.S. Government Publishing Office, “16 CFR § 465.4 Buying positive or negative consumer reviews”
- Google Local Services Help, “Getting started with Local Services Ads”