Need advice from the pros, should I be a Home Inspector?

[Rick Andrew]

First of all I have to say that looks like a great organization, I looked at all of the other groups and this one seems like the most open and helpful. You have a lot of good info here and members willing to help.

What got me thinking about HI as a career was taking the test about 6 months ago and passing it first time, I took it again last week and it took me 5 times to pass. I understand it was improved and it shows.

I have been into houses ever since I saw my first episode of this old house, about 25 years ago. I spent the first 10 years of my career in sales, not building related but it taught me how to market myself . The last 10 years have been in real estate, buying foreclosures and other distressed property in Southern California
and Northern Idaho.

When I bought the bulk of my properties from foreclosures I did cursory “inspections” on about 10 homes per day. The homes that were vacant got a more thorough inspection but even those were only ½ hour at max. I enjoy poking through houses and finding out what works and what doesn’t. I did some work on the homes but I was a better home buyer than home fixer.

Anyhow, I’m in a wait and see position with regards to buying property but I still need to have an income
I know that HI is a demanding career and I’m looking for advice about starting a new business. I have a few questions for you guys:

- What is the most important thing you learned about the business?
- I bought Keith’s book “Inspect and Protect” and a few others, what are the “must have” books and videos?
- I have all kinds of tools what are the “must haves” for the home inspector?
- Is this a good business to be in? What are the drawbacks?
- Are there any meetings in SoCal for home inspectors?

Any other advice you can give a new guy will be helpful.

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by Rick Andrew

First of all I have to say that looks like a great organization, I looked at all of the other groups and this one seems like the most open and helpful. You have a lot of good info here and members willing to help.

What got me thinking about HI as a career was taking the test about 6 months ago and passing it first time, I took it again last week and it took me 5 times to pass. I understand it was improved and it shows.

I have been into houses ever since I saw my first episode of this old house, about 25 years ago. I spent the first 10 years of my career in sales, not building related but it taught me how to market myself . The last 10 years have been in real estate, buying foreclosures and other distressed property in Southern California
and Northern Idaho.

When I bought the bulk of my properties from foreclosures I did cursory “inspections” on about 10 homes per day. The homes that were vacant got a more thorough inspection but even those were only ½ hour at max. I enjoy poking through houses and finding out what works and what doesn’t. I did some work on the homes but I was a better home buyer than home fixer.

Anyhow, I’m in a wait and see position with regards to buying property but I still need to have an income
I know that HI is a demanding career and I’m looking for advice about starting a new business. I have a few questions for you guys:

- What is the most important thing you learned about the business?
- I bought Keith’s book “Inspect and Protect” and a few others, what are the “must have” books and videos?
- I have all kinds of tools what are the “must haves” for the home inspector?
- Is this a good business to be in? What are the drawbacks?
- Are there any meetings in SoCal for home inspectors?

Any other advice you can give a new guy will be helpful.

Well worth the read ,a good eye opener.
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showpost....46&postcount=8
Roy Cooke

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Well worth the read ,a good eye opener.
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showpost....46&postcount=8
Roy Cooke

Thast's a good article to help someone do a reality check.
Good post.

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

Thast's a good article to help someone do a reality check.
Good post.

Here is some more posts from that one .
http://www.nachi.org/forum/f48/training-11208/

[Rick Andrew]

So, you don't make any money for 4-5 years and you have tons of expenses, how does anyone do it?

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by Rick Andrew

So, you don't make any money for 4-5 years and you have tons of expenses, how does anyone do it?

90% do not that is the unfortunate part of .
I was very lucky I had a son who has been a home inspector for ever I did about 100 inspections with him and took all the courses I could at the same time . When I started I had more experience then many who had been at it for years . I also had 50 plus years in Construction as an Electrician .
Three years and $10,000;00 is not an unreasonable expectation to become successfull .
http://www.nachi.org/forum/f48/training-11208/
The rest of the other post

Roy Cooke
. Roys homeinspection.com

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Rick Andrew

So, you don't make any money for 4-5 years and you have tons of expenses, how does anyone do it?

They live in markets where lots of Home Inspections are being purhased each year.

Rick, you need to do some market research in your target area to get and idea of what you can expect for income.

[John McKenna]

Your primary point of success will not be as a home
inspector, but your ability to market your business.

Approx. 80% of inspections are from Realtors
(this is un-ethical, but fact).

Most new inspectors get business from Realtors, and
Realtors like newbies who are desperate to please
them. I think you can understand how this relationship
works.

After a while, you will come to understand that this
dependence on Realtors can only survive if you
lower your standards to keep the Realtor happy.
It will bit you in the end.

The next largest source of inspections comes from
a new wave of consumers who are shopping for
homes, appraisers, inspectors, etc... on the internet.
The number of internet home buyers and sellers
is increasing daily.

If you can get your information out to Realtors, to
begin with, and get a good web site on the front
page of the search engines... you will have a good
push to get started.

Your ability to COMMUNICATE on the phone is a
HUGE point to consider. This is what will make or
break you. Once the phone rings, you have got
just a few moments to convert that call into a sale.

I advise that you keep a second income and give
this thing a try with a safety net below you. If
you are determined, you can make it work.

It is "work" and not a get rich quick deal like some of
the education vendors make it out to be.