A marketing question from a beginner

[jeffghooper]

Wendy,

Here is the short story.

Back in 1989 I was not the inspector I have become. I received constant barrage's of phone calls from my clients and their agents on every home I inspected. I figured out that I was spending about 15 hours a week on the phone dealing with questions like, "well what do you mean the AHU needs to be sealed? Why? What? Can't we?" and others. This 15 plus house a week was a result of approximately 10 inspections a week. I was talking to the agents, buyers, workers, attorneys and even relatives. All this for a mere $250.00 per house. I also realized that I carried about 10k to 20k on the books all the time waiting for closings.

I desperately needed to stop the 15 hours a week on the phone that was paying me NOTHING.

I started writing my reports in a way that basically beat them over the head with what was wrong and backed it up with Code sections, Manufactures installation instructions, Ordinances, CPSC reports, FEMA Reg's and other, all inserted in the report.

I realized I could not write the reports on site anymore. This solved another problem. Ever drive away from an inspection and say "OH S$!^" I forgot ______?

I got calls on the first few inspections from Attorney's that were handling the closings? I was so naive at that time, I did not know they were reading these reports. Then I started getting calls from the Building Departments in the area complementing my reports and asking me to come to work for them. Had to get a chain saw out to make my office door larger so I could get my head in the door.

The tougher the report I wrote, the more referrals I got from past clients, attorneys and even the sellers. I had sellers call and tell me they wanted to put someone else through the same hell I put them through. 30% of my business right now was either directly or indirectly derived from the sellers.

I started being really rude to Realtors in the field. They would ask how long the inspection would take. I would tell them as long as it takes, I hope you brought work with you, and I will not be going over what I found at the end of the inspection with anyone.

I was shocked to find out how many buyers HATE their Realtors. They pretty much all feel like they are being ripped off.

Agents have published derogatory statements about me, banned me from listings and other wonderful things. Funny thing, that is the BEST advertisement a Home Inspector can wish for.

My office still spends about 15 hours a week on the phone. Now it is scheduling and not wasted time.

My reports are completely custom narrative for each home and range from 150 pages to 600 pages long. Yea, you heard right. There is no fluff in my reports. No checklists, no canned recommendations, just hard core inspecting.

What is wrong, why it is wrong, what is involved to correct it, how long it may take to correct it, whether a permit is required, whether it is a code issue, life safety, or performance based, the estimated cost to repair and finally the code section that applies. I have the codes on disk back to 1924.

[wforsyth]

Wow. I think that may have been the single most important thing I've read since getting into this thing.

Thanks for taking the time to write that out ( although with writing 600 page reports I can see why you thought this was the short version.)

Will be taking this to heart I can assure you.

[jeffghooper]

Contrary to some's belief,

I am, and always have been, in the business of helping this trade. It is too bad your fearless leader and I had a falling out.

[John Onofrey]

Originally Posted by jeffghooper

It is too bad your fearless leader and I had a falling out.

Possibly the result of doorways not being large enough.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Jeff

Looks like we must raise the cost of housing in Polk county

The 1.5 mil homes are at the top of the food chain and are not for sale

We do have a lot of double wides though

rlb

[Want_to_inspect]

That was truly inspiring for me to read. As people totally just starting out, that was really insightful for my husband and me.

See, my sister-in-law is a realtor - seller's agent, no less (she was one several years ago for a short while, and just recently decided to get her license again), and she keeps telling us that our ideas to hit up financial institutions (particularly credit unions) and insurance companies, along with buyers agents for referrals won't work. I know she's family, but I just feel in my gut that sellers agents have a bit of a distrust (not quite the right word) of home inspectors. I find that interesing since the home inspector is taking the liability off of the shoulders of the brokers and onto themselves. I told her if she's so concerned about her brother "breaking a deal" for her, she should have her sellers hire him to do a pre-listing inspection, and then she'll be assured of the condition of the home before either my husband or other inspector comes in to do a buyer's inspection.
I also think that maybe someone needs to start marketing to those 18-39 year olds that are now starting to buy homes. Their needs and ways of meeting those needs are completely different than those of their parents, and I think that we need to cater to those needs.

But then, that's just my opinion. We'll see if it works!

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by jeffghooper

Contrary to some's belief,

I am, and always have been, in the business of helping this trade. It is too bad your fearless leader and I had a falling out.

I'm a loner.

Or a loaner........


Nope....

a loner.

[jeffghooper]

See, my sister-in-law is a realtor - seller's agent, no less (she was one several years ago for a short while, and just recently decided to get her license again), and she keeps telling us that our ideas to hit up financial institutions (particularly credit unions) and insurance companies, along with buyers agents for referrals won't work.

How long has she been an agent? Agents, even good ones, have an entirely different idea of what we SHOULD do.

Remember, EVERY inspector has to start somewhere.

It is a hard sell to get sellers to have listing inspections. The ideas have been tried for over 15 years. I was doing some of them back in the early 90's. Tough way to make a living.

Banks and loan institutions are a good resource. They just do not pay well. Or is that Good?

John, you can always enlarge a doorway, if you have the mind too, (to be taken literally).

[jeffghooper]

Richard,

The 1.5 mil homes are at the top of the food chain and are not for sale

Everything is for sale.

We do have a lot of double wides though

The reason they are not selling?

[Want_to_inspect]

Originally Posted by jeffghooper

How long has she been an agent? Agents, even good ones, have an entirely different idea of what we SHOULD do......

.....Banks and loan institutions are a good resource. They just do not pay well. Or is that Good?

I'm not sure how long she was an agent before - maybe a couple of years, but not a very long time. She just took her state exam a couple of weeks ago to start again. She hasn't gotten her paperwork back yet.

As far as credit unions, my plan is to use them as referrals. I actually work for a credit union, and have LOTS of contacts. I don't know how familiar you are with how credit unions work, but they are very member focused. Everything we do is geared towards helping out our members financially. Why not expand that relationship to include referring home inspectors when doing home loans?