Move In Certified in Demand

[Ben J. Gromicko]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38834709...s-real_estate/

Check out #3

Quote from the article: “You’ve got to make sure that one the house definitely has wonderful curb appeal,” said Ennis Antoine, associate broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in the Atlanta area, who has been a real estate agent since 1986.

I've been encouraging inspectors to perform seller inspections. The time is NOW.

If your phone ain't ringing, think MoveInCertified inspections. Sellers need it. Agents love it.

http://www.moveincertified.com/
http://www.inspectoroutlet.com/move-...yard-sign.aspx

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

... Sellers need it. But they don't want to pay for it. Agents love it. In theory, but most won't recommend it.

I've been trying to sell this since it came out.... I've had a lot of agents who talk like it's a great idea, but not even one sold.

In my opinion, this is one of those things that looks perfect on the surface, but in realty isn't a product that people are willing to buy. (And I sincerely hate saying that, because I would love to sell these, but what is, is.)

[Christopher Currins]

3. Looking your best

The tried-and-true tips for selling a home still apply.

“You’ve got to make sure that one the house definitely has wonderful curb appeal,” said Ennis Antoine, associate broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in the Atlanta area, who has been a real estate agent since 1986.

Clean the house well, add fresh flowers and sprinkle around some brightly colored towels to give your house an appealing look. Sometimes just moving around the furniture can make a huge difference, Herb said.

“You want to lead with your best foot and showcase your property as best you can,” he said.

If you can afford it, hire someone to professionally stage the house. If you aren’t living in the house, Antoine recommends finding someone who can stay in the house, keeping it clean and furnished.

Antoine also recommends showcasing the house in a non-traditional way, such as holding a wine-and-cheese for potential sellers.

How is curb appeal related to MIC? I fail to see anything here related to any type of home inspection, including MIC. it does promote home staging, but that's a different profession. Adding fresh flowers and colorful towels is a way to hide defects. In fact there is nothing suggesting a home inspection in the entire article.

[James A. Levy]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

I've been trying to sell this since it came out.... I've had a lot of agents who talk like it's a great idea, but not even one sold.

In my opinion, this is one of those things that looks perfect on the surface, but in realty isn't a product that people are willing to buy. (And I sincerely hate saying that, because I would love to sell these, but what is, is.)

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto!

[Bruce A. King]

I did one recently for a seller that could not stand to wait a few more days for the buyers inspector to show up. He was real worried that something major may be wrong and the buyer would walk away.

He told me the listing agent tried real hard to keep him from getting this inspection.

Now he knows what all is wrong, there was no single major issue but I did find over 20 items that could easily total up to enough for the buyer to walk away.

He said he will fix most of them right away.

Smart seller, he just saved the deal probably by thinking ahead.

[Doug Edwards]

Of all the seller inspections I have done over the years (a couple a year), every one of them ended up getting their asking price because they went ahead and fixed any major items and put the minor, nickel dime items on their disclosure. Unfortunately, many Realtors talk their sellers out of getting a pre-sale inspection even when they know there may be items that can hurt the sale. They are willing to take the chance and hope the buyer either does not get an inspection or their inspector will miss anything major. Short sighted but that is the reality. Just had one Realtor I work with tell me that out of her last three sales, two would not even entertain spending the money on a home inspection even though she urged them to.

[Tim Spargo]

I get calls every once in awhile... I explain the MIC program a bit and the fee, the seller *thinks* it's a good idea but in my neck of the woods, it seems that the seller would rather take their chances than paying the fee. I suppose if it was a smaller fee or a lesser inspection they may bite. I don't like the idea of a less than thorough report with my name on it being passed around...

Not sure why as the idea has merit. If it's a *recent* report, it may give the seller an opportunity to have things on their own terms. And as Bruce said, fix any larger issues and disclose the smaller. This would make many buyers "at ease" with the purchase.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

3. Looking your best
“You’ve got to make sure that one the house definitely has wonderful curb appeal,”
.

Curb appeal.
Nothing better than the MIC sign.



------

Just got this email this morning...

Ben, Nick,

I just did my first MIC. The seller only wanted major systems done. Roof, HVAC, Plumbing and Electric. Here are a couple of pictures.

MIC's are a hard sell but I keep trying. My business is picking up a little.

Have a great weekend.

David Hays
Certified Inspector
All Points Home Inspections llc
820 S. Monaco Pkwy. #260
720-670-0366
allpointshomeinspect@yahoo.com
www.allpointshomeinspections.org

[David Hays]

The seller having trouble selling this flip and only wanted the major systems inspected. His Realtor suggested that he try a Pre-Listing inspection to see if it would help.
House is 115 years old.
I just did this inspection yesterday.
Whenever I talk to Realtors about inspections I talk to them about buyers and sellers inspections. This is my first MIC. Not too bad since I'm still new.


By the way, I got the job through one of my Facebook connections.

[George E. Russell]

I've done one in over a year. Good money...hard to sell.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Some are selling MIC to house "flippers."
http://www.nachi.org/forum/f62/do-yo...76/#post685642

[Nick Gromicko]

Got this email today:

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 12:09 PM, David Hays / All Points Home Inspections llc <allpointshomeinspect@yahoo.com> wrote:
The seller is an "Investor", he has been trying to sell this flip for sometime now. He told me that his realtor suggested MIC to him. I am going to see if I can meet with her.

I will keep you updated.


David Hays
Certified Inspector
All Points Home Inspections llc
820 S. Monaco Pkwy. #260
720-670-0366
allpointshomeinspect@yahoo.com
www.allpointshomeinspections.org

[Brian C. Hoagland]

I have been approached by realtors who want this at a reduced price! I can't assume an addittional liability for less ( I would do it for the same price).

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

I have been approached by realtors who want this at a reduced price! I can't assume an addittional liability for less ( I would do it for the same price).

Tell them you would be happy to do them for them and them only at a reduced price. For every nine that they buy for their listings, you'll do the 10th one for free. I've done that a couple of times on realtors and investors who are wanting a deal because they 'can send me a lot of business'. I learned a long time ago that it is more BS than reality, and when you put it to them like this, you'll see by their expression or response how 'real' their bluster is.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

I have been approached by realtors who want this at a reduced price! I can't assume an addittional liability for less ( I would do it for the same price).

(i) The inspector doesn't have additional liability that differs from a "normal" home inspection. It's the same "work." Same contract. Right?

(ii) And the inspector can realize greater benefits in relation to the marketing of services. Everyone who sees the report, either printed out and lying on the table in the seller's home, or all those who see the report online (using FetchReport), is getting to see your best work. Doing a MIC inspection puts a copy of a report into the hands of many, many prospective homebuyers. It's an awesome way to distribute marketing.

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

Tell them you would be happy to do them for them and them only at a reduced price. For every nine that they buy for their listings, you'll do the 10th one for free. I've done that a couple of times on realtors and investors who are wanting a deal because they 'can send me a lot of business'. I learned a long time ago that it is more BS than reality, and when you put it to them like this, you'll see by their expression or response how 'real' their bluster is.

That's an excellent tip, worth a ton of cash to anyone who's listening.