If Your Thinking About Becoming A Home Inspector....

[David A. Selman]

If you are thinking about becoming a home inspector because your current business is in the tank, don't think that the home inspection business is any better right now. Like everything else, including real estate, it is not going to make you a living any time soon.

If you have a job, keep it. Fill your pockets and be thankful. Home inspection is as tough as any other struggling sector of business right now.

If you have deep pockets and nothing better to do, by all means, join the ranks of struggling inspectors in your area.

Sorry for the downer. Just frustrated today I guess.

[ldapkus]

Sounds like you need a drink Dave, maybe a few.

[David A. Selman]

Linas - Maybe you're right. I am trying to hard. I think I'll have a beer or six....

[John Harrison]

I feel your pain. Ill have a few drinks with you.

[Bob Elliott]

David ,it runs in cycles.

keep your goals focused on the future rather than the now.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by belliott

David ,it runs in cycles.

keep your goals focused on the future rather than the now.

Here ya go.

[Bob Elliott]

J.B unless you are intimate with a Broker we all went through getting ready to hang it up at some point.

I remember every time I started thinking that way a job would pop up and keep me going.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by belliott

J.B unless you are intimate with a Broker we all went through getting ready to hang it up at some point.

I remember every time I started thinking that way a job would pop up and keep me going.

The economy is so bad that people are reading....and actually believing....the ads where they can become "home inspectors" and work "part time hours for full time wages" and that bunk.

There is a truth that they need to know. More than 90% of them will be in a different job within 3 years. There is another big fallout between the three and five year mark.

This was true BEFORE the bubble popped, according to info published by Nick a couple of years ago.

Inspectors who will be in this business in 2013 will be using these times to advance their skills and knowledge....building their canals in the desert so that, when the rain comes, they will be ready.

Remember a few years ago when R. Ray was the Pied Piper for newby marketing....teaching them how to do $49 "walk throughs" until someone was willing to pay them $1200 for a full inspection? "Choices, choices, choices...." he called it. When the majority of them all fell out, he had no one else to fall for his "paper back book" marketing tips and left to sell them to newby used house salesmen at Active Rain, where the turnover is just as great.

Turnover has always been a part of this business.

[David A. Selman]

Don't get me wrong guys. I have no intension of leaving the business. Just wanted to vent a little frustration. Each of you are right in your comments. Thanks. Tomorrow may be better. If not, what can not be remedied must be endured....

[David A. Selman]

By the way, all these home inspection schools are leading people down a path that is simply not true. Unbelievable how desperate some people are. Crazy. The worst economy I have ever seen in my lifetime.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by dselman

By the way, all these home inspection schools are leading people down a path that is simply not true. Unbelievable how desperate some people are. Crazy. The worst economy I have ever seen in my lifetime.

See, Bob?

Among the newest members to NACHI...along with a few who will be home inspectors....are many, many victims who were duped into being here.

The ease of getting a state license can be misleading and mistaken for the ease of becoming a home inspector.

[Bobby G. Michael]

Having a drink right know.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jbushart

See, Bob?

Among the newest members to NACHI...along with a few who will be home inspectors....are many, many victims who were duped into being here.

The ease of getting a state license can be misleading and mistaken for the ease of becoming a home inspector.

I never would have gotten in if in desperation I'd not gone to the local community College to try and find training in a new field not yet determined.
At the same time I was taking a RE Course to become an Agent (why do I always think Matrix on that word)?

Anyway I told my Broker Instructor I had read about HI being the new hot field that the State recommends and here is what he said.......
Bob people like me get rich buying and selling RE and all your work is going to come from guys like me.
What do you think is going to happen when you kill my deal with your Inspection.

You are either going to do what I say or you are going to go hungry.

I told him I was going to learn how to use a computer and market straight to my future clients.
He just laughed at me.

Just got back from my morning job Downtown where I was hired by a Broker because I do find issues.
I also have multiple website and referrals from past clients that liked my thoroughness.

Just had UPS drop off what is now my 4th computer in 5 years.

I did not start rocking till a little over 2 years ago when I made the decision to quit my other job and sink or swim.
It is like any other business in that you must be committed and be patient.

Wonder if I would still be working as an Agent today.?

[Vince Santos]

The key is to not rely on any one source for most of your referrals. I like to have a good mix of referrals. Out of ten inspections over the past week (I know that's not much compared to some of you guys) three were Realtor referrals, four were from my website/search engines, one was a past client and two were referrals from past clients.

In the end I don't want to count on any one source for all of my business but it obviously takes time to have a solid network. I try to be consistent and persistent with marketing.

[Richard W. Washington]

10 inspections in a week is doing well.