Alyssa Cink

Through articles, newsletters, and social media posts, Content Marketing Specialist Alyssa Cink provides risk management education to home inspectors nationwide. A Gonzaga University alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minors in Spanish and journalism, Alyssa's passion for communication enables her to write engaging and clear content across mediums. A former "Harry Potter" fan club president, she is a fervent reader and podcast listener who also enjoys exploring Utah with her corgi.

Butterflies going through metamorphosis, with different stages of transformation from left to right. Symbolizes the stages of an E&O home inspection claim.

What To Expect if You Get an E&O Claim

By Alyssa Cink / September 1, 2022

Avoiding home inspection claims is the ideal scenario. Realistically, however, it’s uncommon for inspectors to go their entire careers without one. According to our data, more than half of home inspectors will have a claim filed against them at some point. We include this statistic not to dishearten you, but rather to help you prepare…

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Tall, modern skyscraper for apartments or condos, set against a blue sky with clouds

Apartments and Condos: Multi-family Structures with Multifaceted Risks for Home Inspectors

By Alyssa Cink / August 1, 2022

People involved in the real estate industry know 2021 was a year to remember. Between stimulus checks, low mortgage rates, and the sharpest supply drop seen in decades, houses across the United States sold for record highs, writes online business publisher Kiplinger. According to Kiplinger’s article and data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR),…

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Preston Sandlin - Home Inspection Carolina Team Photo in orange convertible

Preston Sandlin: The Crazy Pants Podcaster

By Alyssa Cink / July 1, 2022

In our Inspector Spotlight series, we take a closer look at individual inspectors making an impact on the inspection industry. Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina wears many hats in the inspection industry. He also wears a lot of pants—crazy pants, that is. On Instagram and TikTok, Sandlin’s audience knows him as Inspector Crazy Pants.…

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Kiwi, painted pink on the outside and normally colored green on the inside. Illustrates concept of concealed or hidden defects.

Out of Sight: Home Inspection Claims from Concealed Defects

By Alyssa Cink / June 1, 2022

After closing on their dream home, a couple began the exciting process of renovating the property’s basement. They had big plans, including replacing the toilets. In order to work on the plumbing, the couple had the pipes depressurized. Shortly after being pressurized again, the pipes in the basement’s laundry room started to leak. The basement…

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Rusted and cracked cast iron plumbing pipe

The Cast Iron Catastrophe: A Home Inspection Insurance Claim

By Alyssa Cink / May 1, 2022

The following is a cast iron plumbing claim from our home inspector insurance claim archives. To protect the insured’s identity, all identifiable characteristics—including names, associations, and locations—have been omitted or removed. Weeks after his initial home inspection, a client asked his inspector to perform another service. He wanted the inspector to visually inspect the plumbing…

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Rough, stormy, grey ocean with arm of drowning person reaching through surface for help.

Home Inspectors: 8 Ways to Stamp Out Burnout

By Alyssa Cink / April 1, 2022

In September 2020, Stephen Hill of Hill Property Inspections, LLC in Pennsylvania asked the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors’ (InterNACHI) forum for tips on managing time while writing reports. Despite having four inspector-employees, he was working 16-hour days and often didn’t have time to eat. He wanted his team to continue producing detailed, user-friendly…

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Drawing of woman with light skin, pink hair in a bun, wearing white t-shirt and grey pants. Pointing to left and right with hands, question marks above face, suggesting dilemma between insurance vs. bonds

Insurance vs. Bonds: What Home Inspectors Should Know

By Alyssa Cink / March 1, 2022

If you run a home inspection business, then chances are you’ve encountered the term “surety bond” and wondered if it applies to you. You may have asked yourself: What does it mean to be bonded? Are bonds a type of insurance? If I already have a bond, do I still need insurance? Some individuals refer…

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Red and orange house with illusion of being upside down, blue sky in background

Flipped Home Inspections: More Than Meets the Eye

By Alyssa Cink / February 1, 2022

“Things are not always as they seem; the first appearance deceives many.” Although composed in the fourth century BC, this line from Plato’s “Phaedrus” continues to resonate with audiences today. Those who’ve worked with flipped homes understand it all too well. Flipped homes are a common grievance among home inspectors and buyers alike. While impressive…

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top view of personal protective equipment hardhat, googles, respirator, and gloves

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Home Inspectors

By Alyssa Cink / January 1, 2022

One morning in 1991, a Tennessee power lineman drove to work expecting another routine Monday. His first job of the day: cut down a three-wire voltage system with a residential connection. He’d performed this task more times than he could count. However, one small mistake in his work attire transformed an ordinary Monday into a…

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Recommendations, as depicted via chat bubble with three dots

Recommendations in Home Inspection Reports: 6 Ways to Limit Your Liability

By Alyssa Cink / October 15, 2021

Writing reports is about more than getting jobs done. It’s also about presenting yourself as a reliable, trustworthy source whose findings your clients can depend on. Indeed, a well-written inspection report can turn the tide from an overwhelming house hunt to a confident and informed purchasing decision. While it’s common to focus on how your…

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Close up of crawl bot moving toward camera, driving across plank of wood

Crawl Bots for Home Inspectors: Are they worth the investment?

By Alyssa Cink / September 15, 2021

Crawlspaces aren’t exactly the highlight of a home inspector’s day. Stuffy, cramped, and poorly lit, these areas present a significant challenge. In fact, with some inspectors reporting hazards such as animals, exposed wiring, and toxins like mold and sewage, crawlspaces can be more than uncomfortable. They can be dangerous. It isn’t surprising, then, that many…

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Old, wooden hatch to crawlspace, showing signs of age and crawlspace safety concerns

An Inspector’s Guide to Crawlspace Safety

By Alyssa Cink / August 15, 2021

It’s your first crawlspace of the day. You consider the host of dangers that await you, and your heart races. Suited up and armed with your flashlight, you face the entrance, ready to explore the dark, inner recesses of another property. Crawlspace Inspection Safety and Home Inspectors Inspecting homes is a dangerous job. From slick…

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