A Panama City native with more than 20,000 inspections completed since 1999 — bringing over two decades of field experience and the integrity your biggest investment deserves to every home across Bay County.
Steve Hord is the founder and lead inspector of Cardinal Home Inspection, proudly serving Panama City Beach and the surrounding Bay County area with accurate, unbiased, and thorough home inspections. Since founding the company in 1999, Steve has personally completed more than 20,000 inspections — a depth of hands-on experience that few inspectors in the region can match.
A Panama City native, Steve brings a background in construction and maritime services to every inspection, giving him a practical, field-tested understanding of how homes are built and how they hold up in the Florida panhandle's coastal climate. He is a State of Florida Licensed Home Inspector (License #HI1891) and an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector (Member #NACHI8021402), adhering to both state and national inspection standards.
Steve understands that buying a home is one of the largest and most exciting investments most people will ever make — and that it's difficult to set aside the emotional attachment to a property's location, style, and setting. That's exactly why an independent, experienced inspector matters. Every inspection is performed carefully and objectively, documented with high-quality photos and advanced thermal imaging technology, and explained in plain language so his clients can make a confident, informed decision.
Known for his use of advanced technology and for identifying issues often overlooked by others, Steve has earned a reputation for reliability among real estate professionals and homeowners alike. He routinely encourages clients to accompany him during the walk-through — asking questions and discussing any necessary repairs in real time — because an informed buyer is a confident buyer.
Behind every smooth inspection is Teri Hord, Steve's wife and the office manager who keeps Cardinal Home Inspection running. From the moment you call or send a request, Teri is the one making sure you're scheduled quickly, kept informed, and taken care of from your first contact all the way through to your final report.
Teri handles scheduling, client communication, and the day-to-day details that make working with Cardinal feel effortless. Her warm, responsive approach is a big part of why so many Bay County homeowners, buyers, and real estate professionals come back to Cardinal again and again — and recommend Steve and Teri to everyone they know.
Cardinal Home Inspection was built on a simple belief: every home tells a story, and the buyer deserves to hear the whole story before they sign. The purchase of a home is one of the largest investments most families will ever make, and an emotional attachment to a property is natural — which is exactly why an independent, experienced, licensed inspector matters.
Steve's standard hasn't changed across more than 20,000 inspections: evaluate each home with the utmost care, identify the issues that matter most to the buyer, and explain every finding clearly. No rushed walkthroughs. No glossed-over findings. Just a thorough, honest evaluation delivered to the person who matters most — the client.
"Thorough, Honest, and Explained in Plain Language — The Integrity Your Biggest Investment Deserves." — Steve Hord, Owner
When you hire Cardinal Home Inspection, you're hiring a fully licensed Florida home inspector with more than two decades of experience and a track record recognized across the region.
From your first phone call to final report delivery, here's what sets Cardinal Home Inspection apart from every other inspector in the region.
26 years inspecting Bay County homes — a trusted name on the Florida panhandle coast.
More than two decades of hands-on experience means Steve catches what less-experienced inspectors miss.
Thermal imaging and modern tools reveal hidden issues a visual-only inspection would overlook.
Steve and Teri treat every client like a neighbor — responsive, honest, and easy to work with.
Call today • FL License HI1891 • InterNACHI CPI • BBB A+ Accredited Member • Inspecting Bay County Since 1999