The unique roles of a home inspector and agent in a real estate transaction are each clearly defined. But there can be times when one professional steps on the other’s toes. Take fees for instance.
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Editor’s Note: Setting fees can be agonizing for some small-business professionals. Here, a handful of seasoned inspectors discuss how their fees are set and how they figure the true “cost of doing business.” Inspectors: How to Establish Fees by David Brauner, Editor WRE According to a recent online discussion, most of the inspectors who do…
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Marketing for Home Inspectors Complied by Cary Barker, Assit. Editor Whether you are new to the industry or consider yourself a pro, everyone can use help getting his/her name in front of clients. Networking “Try open houses. You might connect with a Realtor who may use you. You may also meet the homeowner and get…
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Diversifying with Environmental Reports By Benjamin V. Cesare Home buyers today have more questions to ask than ever before—and they frequently turn to their home inspector for answers that will help them make a good decision for themselves and their family. Today’s savvy home buyer wants complete information about the properties they are considering —…
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Pros and Cons: Lowering Fees in Slow Times This time of year inspectors agonize whether to lower fees to make it through the traditionally slow winter months. Appraisers are facing similar issues in this slowing real estate market. Some inspectors drop fees to generate business using “coupons” and “seasonal specials,” but seasoned pros say lowering...…
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Growing Web Business: Converting Visitors to Customers by Nick Gromicko A home inspector’s website should have only one goal; to convert visitors to customers. Here’s how it’s done. A home inspector’s website is not a newspaper, television, magazine or building. Unlike most websites it should not serve multiple purposes. Don’t give your visitor any freedom to find anything but...…
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Speaking Like a Pro By Mike Casey Professional phrases for common situations: Newbie: “This is stupid,” or “Geez, will you look at this!” Pro: “For increased safety, we recommend…” Or “For optimum performance we recommend…” Newbie: Instead of the “Code Word” say: Pro: “Not serviceable, nonstandard, substandard, unconventional, inadequate, temporary.” Newbie: “It’s old.” Pro: “The…
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The home inspection business is different than any other business because you typically don’t meet your client until after he/she hires you. This means that growing your business is almost all marketing and very little sales. A key part of successful marketing is your home inspection brochure. Since your client won’t get to meet you…
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Fresh Air = Fresh Business Like many inspectors, Jack Leith, owner of A+ Inspection, takes the mold issue very seriously. He has completed numerous training courses to learn how to inspect for mold so he can provide a more complete inspection for his clients. But he had a problem. And as is often the case,...…
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20 Reasons to do Business with You! Editor’s Note: The following was written by a home inspector in response to a client’s question about why they should do business with them. How do you measure up? 1. We answer our phone during the day. 2. We work weekends by appointment for your convenience. 3. We call…
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