CHI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Marketing & Advertising Strategies for CHI professionals? → Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves
2. Which roofing material requires the steepest minimum slope to perform correctly? → Asphalt shingles
3. A homeowner complains of condensation on interior window surfaces during winter. The MOST likely cause is: → Excess indoor humidity combined with cold glass surfaces
4. A home inspector notices a property has only one bathroom for a four-bedroom home. In valuation terms, this is an example of: → Functional obsolescence (deficiency)
5. What does SEER stand for in HVAC terminology? → Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
6. In lease negotiations, what does the term 'load factor' (also called 'add-on factor') represent? → The percentage difference between usable and rentable square footage
7. A landlord wants to enter a tenant's unit for a non-emergency inspection. What is typically required under most state landlord-tenant laws? → At least 24 to 48 hours advance written notice to the tenant
8. When inspecting a service entrance, a home inspector notes the service drop conductors are less than 10 feet above a driveway. What is the concern? → A vehicle could contact the conductors, creating an electrocution hazard
9. Which component of an HVAC system is responsible for cooling the air? → Evaporator coil
10. What is the significance of a 'wet vent' in a residential plumbing system? → A single pipe that serves as both a drain and a vent for a fixture
11. What does 'conversion rate' mean in the context of a home inspector's website? → The percentage of site visitors who become paying clients
12. When a conflict arises between standard procedures and a unique situation in Property Maintenance & Operations, what should a CHI professional prioritize? → Safety and ethical obligations while seeking expert consultation
13. A home inspector who also holds a real estate license must be especially careful about which ethical conflict? → Using inspection findings to negotiate a commission advantage or steer clients
14. Which type of filter has the highest MERV rating capability and provides the best filtration for an HVAC system? → HEPA filters
15. In Market Analysis & Valuation, what is the FIRST step a CHI professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
16. A landlord retaliates against a tenant for reporting a habitability complaint to a local housing authority. Under most state laws, this action is: → Illegal under retaliatory eviction protections
17. Under RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act), which of the following is prohibited? → Kickbacks or referral fees between settlement service providers
18. What is a 'lease abstract' and why is it important during due diligence on an investment property? → A condensed summary of key lease terms used for quick review and analysis
19. A home inspector operating in a state with a licensing requirement inspects a property without a valid state license. This constitutes: → A violation of state law that may expose the inspector to fines and civil liability
20. During a crawl space inspection, which observation should a home inspector flag as a deficiency requiring correction? → Evidence of moisture staining or mold on the insulation and framing
21. Which federal law requires sellers of pre-1978 homes to provide buyers with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet? → TSCA Title X
22. A home inspector notices aluminum branch circuit wiring in a home built in the 1960s. The MOST important concern is: → Aluminum wiring at connections can oxidize and overheat, creating a fire hazard
23. A home inspector notes deferred maintenance totaling $18,500. How should this figure be presented in the inspection report? → As an itemized cost estimate for each identified deficiency
24. Why must aluminum wiring be inspected? → It expands and contracts more
25. What does efflorescence on a masonry wall indicate? → Water has moved through the masonry, depositing mineral salts
26. A home inspector finds an ungrounded three-prong receptacle in a 1955 home. What is the safest acceptable remedy according to the NEC? → Install a GFCI receptacle and label it 'No Equipment Ground'
27. What is the recommended clearance between the bottom of a wooden structural member and the soil in a crawl space? → 18 inches
28. A home inspector observes white, chalky staining on a basement concrete block wall. This is MOST likely: → Efflorescence caused by water migrating through the masonry
29. What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Environmental & Safety Assessment for CHI professionals? → Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves
30. What is the purpose of anchor bolts embedded in a concrete foundation wall? → To attach the mudsill to the foundation and resist uplift and lateral forces