Business Update--Atlanta Checking In

[Gary E. Sloan, CMI]

I hesitated to post this (not that I post much), but just wanted to share some hope with my fellow Nachi members. I realize that markets are different across the U.S., but here in Atlanta I just pulled the numbers for our small company and we are up 19% over the same time period last year. We should complete roughly 550 inspections by years end. Incidentally, we raised our prices (slightly) and have made this progress during a difficult economy.

I share this information to give hope to some who may feel like their pushing a rope. Running a home inspection business continues to present challenges (that weren't necessarily mentioned in home inspection school). We all work so hard on behalf of the clients. There are days when being an employee for another company may be more inviting. The bottom line is...we are an important element in helping people during a very stressful time period. I've had the privilege of performing inspections with some other local and out of state inspectors. This is one industry that should not be cut throat with one another. All of my competitors are welcome on my inspections. Folks like Kip Mccullough (www.keystonepropertyinspections.com) and Robbie Newland (www.certifiedhi.com) are top inspectors in my area.

If I can offer some help to a member, please feel free to contact me!

Have a productive week.

[Gary Farnsworth]

http://www.reeceandnichols.com/pages...rket-trends-kc

Sales here are down 27% from a year ago, and a year ago it was worse than that. Yes, regions are different, but here it is really rough. Many buyers are purchasing from banks, and they do not abide by any RE rules, so you only have two days, or less, to get inspections. Most all homes are selling "AS IS", so most buyers are not getting home inspections, or are using their agents' contractors to do the "checks" for free; and for a reason of course.

[David A. Andersen]

Thanks for the invitation Gary, I just returned to Atlanta recently conducting a three-day commercial inspection.

I'm always interested in "local providers" that I can can work with or depend on for follow-up data collection.

I'm not familiar with your services, but why will look at them right now.

CMI with 55 posts is somewhat of a misnomer that warrants further investigation!

Atlanta as well as Nashville seem to have survived the gauntlet of our current economy due to their flexibility and youth in the workforce.

Keep me in mind if there's anything I can help you with and I will do the same.

We are always looking for qualified commercial inspectors at NACBI to expand our network across the United States and Canada. Check it out on the web at your leisure at: www.NACBI.com

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Originally Posted by gsloan

I hesitated to post this (not that I post much), but just wanted to share some hope with my fellow Nachi members. I realize that markets are different across the U.S., but here in Atlanta I just pulled the numbers for our small company and we are up 19% over the same time period last year. We should complete roughly 550 inspections by years end. Incidentally, we raised our prices (slightly) and have made this progress during a difficult economy.

I share this information to give hope to some who may feel like their pushing a rope. Running a home inspection business continues to present challenges (that weren't necessarily mentioned in home inspection school). We all work so hard on behalf of the clients. There are days when being an employee for another company may be more inviting. The bottom line is...we are an important element in helping people during a very stressful time period. I've had the privilege of performing inspections with some other local and out of state inspectors. This is one industry that should not be cut throat with one another. All of my competitors are welcome on my inspections. Folks like Kip Mccullough (www.keystonepropertyinspections.com) and Robbie Newland (www.certifiedhi.com) are top inspectors in my area.

If I can offer some help to a member, please feel free to contact me!

Have a productive week.

That's great Gary! (and thanks for the kind words). It's nice having NACHI members like yourself to be able to go to as needed, working more as a team than competitors. (I've been out of commission with some flu bug for the past week or so and have sent a few your way... not that you need them, LOL)

Glad to hear you're doing well, will be in touch.

[Gary Farnsworth]

For what reasons will you "be in touch with me"? Sure, all I have to do is lower my rates to $99. Not going that way. You get what you pay for, or as in the case of a low cost inspection, pay for what you do not get.

Your reports must be really soft to do 550 inspections. IMHO.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by gsloan

I hesitated to post this (not that I post much), but just wanted to share some hope with my fellow Nachi members. I realize that markets are different across the U.S., but here in Atlanta I just pulled the numbers for our small company and we are up 19% over the same time period last year. We should complete roughly 550 inspections by years end. Incidentally, we raised our prices (slightly) and have made this progress during a difficult economy.

I share this information to give hope to some who may feel like their pushing a rope. Running a home inspection business continues to present challenges (that weren't necessarily mentioned in home inspection school). We all work so hard on behalf of the clients. There are days when being an employee for another company may be more inviting. The bottom line is...we are an important element in helping people during a very stressful time period. I've had the privilege of performing inspections with some other local and out of state inspectors. This is one industry that should not be cut throat with one another. All of my competitors are welcome on my inspections. Folks like Kip Mccullough (www.keystonepropertyinspections.com) and Robbie Newland (www.certifiedhi.com) are top inspectors in my area.

If I can offer some help to a member, please feel free to contact me!

Have a productive week.

Sounds like you have it figured out.
Congratulations.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Your reports must be really soft to do 550 inspections. IMHO.

I'm not sure how one relates to the other. I'm on pace to do that many this year, and I am a "one man shop." My reports are not "soft."

The first two quarters of this year have been stellar for me. I have also raised my prices (slightly) and continue to be busier than all previous years.

[George E. Russell]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Your reports must be really soft to do 550 inspections. IMHO.

WOW! Have you met the guy or seen any of his reports? Come on man our industry doesn't need this kind of pettiness.....
If someone is doing well just be happy for them...it's good karma

[Gary Farnsworth]

My business is 75% down from 2003, and half what it was in 2005. Home sales here are also down in that range. I did over 500 inspections in 2003, and only 160 last year. It is always not as it seems, or stated in the media, or message boards for that matter.

[George E. Russell]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

My business is 75% down from 2003, and half what it was in 2005. Home sales here are also down in that range. I did over 500 inspections in 2003, and only 160 last year. It is always not as it seems, or stated in the media, or message boards for that matter.

I'm feeling you man but that isn't a good excuse for implying that someone else is doing well because they are doing soft reports. Unless, of course, you know that for a fact and have proof. We all make a conscious decision to stay in this business or do something else. We cant blame someone else when things don't go our way BECAUSE we made the decision for ourselves. When my bills don't get paid it's no one's fault but mine. I myself am encouraged when other inspectors post of their success. I have something to work toward.

[David A. Andersen]

I sure hope you're not trying to blame someone else for your inability to adapt and modify your business to succeed in this economy.

I'm having a hard time deciphering the point you're trying to make in your replies to the initial post.

Are you implying that everyone is full of crap because you're not recovering like others obviously are?

I'm five hours away from Atlanta, home sales are down, my home inspections are down, my prices are up and I'm making more money this year than I ever have.
　

Many buyers are purchasing from banks, and they do not abide by any RE rules, so you only have two days, or less, to get inspections. Most all homes are selling "AS IS", so most buyers are not getting home inspections, or are using their agents' contractors to do the "checks" for free; and for a reason of course.

You're so "not busy" what's the two day limit issue?

If the buyer is selling "as is" it's even more important to know what they're buying. A large majority of the inspections I'm getting lately the client specifically states "I'm buying this house as is and I really want you to be thorough". Seems to me it places an even greater demand for a home inspector.

I also get a very large number of finance company referrals (I have no idea where they found me from) to their mortgagees lately.

Maybe you need one of those "I'm a full-time home inspector" logos… CMI doesn't seem to be cutting it.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

Your reports must be really soft to do 550 inspections. IMHO.

Have you ever stopped to think perhaps your problem is you and not the rest of the world.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jpope

I'm not sure how one relates to the other. I'm on pace to do that many this year, and I am a "one man shop." My reports are not "soft."

The first two quarters of this year have been stellar for me. I have also raised my prices (slightly) and continue to be busier than all previous years.

As single person operation, I can't imagine doing 550 inspections in a year! Are you following the SOP strictly and/or doing a lot of smaller, single story homes??

[Sean Fogarty]

I have lost some business due to not being able to schedule. Best past 3 weeks ever!

[Gary Farnsworth]

Most veteran inspectors these days, such as me, are not getting the home inspection business due to several reasons. Being a CMI, a BBB A+ business, etc, etc, I have a better chance of finding a defect over a newbie and/or less experienced inspector, whom is getting all of the business. Heck, Kansas laws allow for basic, soft, say nothing reports that the agents love. Go to my web site and click on "internet discount". There is a company here that will do home inspections on any size home with termite inspection for $249.

Tell me, how do we compete with that?

I have a copy of one of those $249 inspections. Unbelieveable how the home buyers are getting hosed here.