§ 1701x–1 — Home Inspection Counseling

(1) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) shall take such actions as may be necessary to inform potential homebuyers of the availability and importance of obtaining an independent home inspection. Such actions shall include— (A) publication of the HUD/FHA form HUD 92564–CN entitled “For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection”, in both English and Spanish languages; (B) publication of the HUD/FHA booklet entitled “For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection”, in both English and Spanish languages; (C) development and publication of a HUD booklet entitled “For Your Protection—Get a Home Inspection” that does not reference FHA-insured homes, in both English and Spanish languages; and (D) publication of the HUD document entitled “Ten Important Questions To Ask Your Home Inspector”, in both English and Spanish languages. (2) The Secretary shall make the materials specified in paragraph (1) available for electronic access and, where appropriate, inform potential homebuyers of such availability through home purchase counseling public service announcements and toll-free telephone hotlines of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Secretary shall give special emphasis to reaching first-time and low-income homebuyers with these materials and efforts. (3) The Secretary may periodically update and revise such materials, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (b) Each mortgagee approved for participation in the mortgage insurance programs under title II of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.] shall provide prospective homebuyers, at first contact, whether upon pre-qualification, pre-approval, or initial application, the materials specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of subsection (a)(1). (c) the Secretary to provide housing counseling services shall provide each of their clients, as part of the home purchase counseling process, the materials specified in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subsection (a)(1). (d) Training provided the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing counseling agencies, whether such training is provided directly by the Department or otherwise, shall include— (1) providing information on counseling potential homebuyers of the availability and importance of getting an independent home inspection; (2) providing information about the home inspection process, including the reasons for specific inspections such as radon and lead-based paint testing; (3) providing information about advising potential homebuyers on how to locate and select a qualified home inspector; and (4) review of home inspection public outreach materials of the Department.