Ben's Book

[James H. Bushart]

Although I didn't invent the term, many of you have read my rants against "used house salesmen" when I was working in St. Louis and dealing with a real estate market that was controlled by ASHI (my reason for membership) and greed.

St. Louis realtors stood over me as I inspected...rewording my observations in softer terms for their clients....while fighting to get me licensed. It was a bitter experience.

Now, I am in a part of Missouri where there are no building codes. Since not all builders are bad down here (just most of them), one cannot tell by looking at a house if it will fall or burn in a week....or last 100 years.

Accordingly, the honest real estate salespeople in this area appreciate and rely heavily upon good home inspectors...and lobby for building codes and enforcement. They know the value of the "licensed contractor" and encourage their clients to use them when they can be found.

My style of home inspecting has come to be appreciated by many of them and I have found a group of realtors that I can comfortably work with, knowing that they value their reputations and integrity as much as the sale of the home.

When I scattered a few copies of Ben Gromicko's book the initial response was extremely positive. Realtors who know and appreciate the value of preparing their client for living in the home....and being able to anticipate problems instead of fearing them or complaining about the realtor because of them....took copies and began sharing them with other realtors.

As a result...I started getting more and more of their referrals and have been able to meet and greet many of them as I take them more copies to replace those that they gave away.

They seem to have taken on a life of their own in teaching realtors in this area the advantage of correctly instilling a realistic expectation in the client regarding home ownership and maintenance...and they have shown their appreciation for the lesson.

If you are waiting for someone to provide an objective testimonial as to the quality and the positive response to the use of this book, this is it.

Entering my sixth year as a NACHI member, this product has proven to be the best marketing tool that I have ever had access to. There have been some good things in the past....but this beats them all, hands down.

Ben has provided a valuable resource and he and Nick need to be commended for it.

As for my CEUs, I still prefer a classroom to online training. Sorry, guys. I'm a "hands on" guy and that is probably why this tool has worked so well for me.

If you are serious about your business and are looking for a tool to spark it...you will not beat the price or the effectiveness of "Now that You Have Had Your Home Inspection" by Ben Gromicko.

When do you expect Oprah to be picking it up, Ben?

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Jim is that really you? You know you just gave Ben a compliment?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jbraun

Jim is that really you? You know you just gave Ben a compliment?

A well deserved one, too.

[Russell Spriggs]

Jim, the book has been very wel rec'd here, too - both by clients & agents.
We have a new instructor in the RE school here, and he's pushing Listing Insps & full disclosure - a new trend from the head-in-sand approach of yesteryear.
We'll be providing him with copies for his class.
With our info on them, of course!

[John Onofrey]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Accordingly, the honest real estate salespeople in this area appreciate and rely heavily upon good home inspectors...

Amazing, Jim just admitted that there are honest Real Estate Agents. I never thought I'd live to see the day.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jonofrey

Amazing, Jim just admitted that there are honest Real Estate Agents. I never thought I'd live to see the day.

and that he works "with" them

[Rick Maday]

A kinder, gentler Jim

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Although I didn't invent the term, many of you have read my rants against "used house salesmen" when I was working in St. Louis and dealing with a real estate market that was controlled by ASHI (my reason for membership) and greed.

St. Louis realtors stood over me as I inspected...rewording my observations in softer terms for their clients....while fighting to get me licensed. It was a bitter experience.

Now, I am in a part of Missouri where there are no building codes. Since not all builders are bad down here (just most of them), one cannot tell by looking at a house if it will fall or burn in a week....or last 100 years.

Accordingly, the honest real estate salespeople in this area appreciate and rely heavily upon good home inspectors...and lobby for building codes and enforcement. They know the value of the "licensed contractor" and encourage their clients to use them when they can be found.

My style of home inspecting has come to be appreciated by many of them and I have found a group of realtors that I can comfortably work with, knowing that they value their reputations and integrity as much as the sale of the home.

When I scattered a few copies of Ben Gromicko's book the initial response was extremely positive. Realtors who know and appreciate the value of preparing their client for living in the home....and being able to anticipate problems instead of fearing them or complaining about the realtor because of them....took copies and began sharing them with other realtors.

As a result...I started getting more and more of their referrals and have been able to meet and greet many of them as I take them more copies to replace those that they gave away.

They seem to have taken on a life of their own in teaching realtors in this area the advantage of correctly instilling a realistic expectation in the client regarding home ownership and maintenance...and they have shown their appreciation for the lesson.

If you are waiting for someone to provide an objective testimonial as to the quality and the positive response to the use of this book, this is it.

Entering my sixth year as a NACHI member, this product has proven to be the best marketing tool that I have ever had access to. There have been some good things in the past....but this beats them all, hands down.

Ben has provided a valuable resource and he and Nick need to be commended for it.

As for my CEUs, I still prefer a classroom to online training. Sorry, guys. I'm a "hands on" guy and that is probably why this tool has worked so well for me.

If you are serious about your business and are looking for a tool to spark it...you will not beat the price or the effectiveness of "Now that You Have Had Your Home Inspection" by Ben Gromicko.

When do you expect Oprah to be picking it up, Ben?

Same response here, they all like the books immensely.

[James H. Bushart]

Jeff, John, Rick.....

Spend three months in St. Louis, Missouri, and work with the tens of thousands of used house salesmen all competing to sell on the same block....and then we'll talk.

They eat their own dead and will sell their daughters into prostitution to get a sale.

It's a totally different breed and tremendously different priorities.

If you read my blog, I posted an account of two realtors I work with who really went "above and beyond" to try to overcome the mistakes made by the contractor who has since fallen from the face of the earth.

[Rick Maday]

Uh, Jim...

We were just teasing you.

It's great that you have realized that not every agent is a part of the Axis of Evil.

And Ben's book is a good one.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rmaday

Uh, Jim...

We were just teasing you.

It's great that you have realized that not every agent is a part of the Axis of Evil.

And Ben's book is a good one.

I'm learning that. You guys were way ahead of me and my limited exposure.

[Bob Elliott]

Must adjust control panel.
Perhaps a short in the 18 guage wire attached to the flux control?

Computer analysis shows no problem with diagnostic section yet there is something wrong.

Note to diary:
I have landed in some Bizzaro world.

Things are not quite right.